SPRINGFIELD – To expand her support of education to service members, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) co-sponsored a new law to provide in-state tuition rates to all active duty military and all individuals receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“By giving the brave men and women who serve in our military an opportunity to receive a higher education, we are committing to a better quality of life for those making sacrifices for our country,” Crowe said. “I am humbled to have a hand in giving more people a chance to attend and achieve their goals.”
Read more: Crowe supports new law giving in-state college tuition to all military personnel
SPRINGFIELD – Public school teachers in Illinois will see higher salaries thanks to an initiative cosponsored by State Senator Rachelle Crowe signed into law today.
“We trust our teachers to not only influence our future leaders, but monitor their safety and home life while guiding them throughout the formative years of their lives,” Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) said. “Why should the people equal to such tasks want to work for us if we’re not paying them a respectable wage?”
Under House Bill 2078, the state would update the minimum mandated salary for teachers annually over four years, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. After that, subject to review by the General Assembly, it would be increased according to the Consumer Price Index. The phase-in would look like this under the proposal:
Read more: Teacher salary increase signed into law today with Crowe’s support
SPRINGFIELD – A measure that imposes stricter penalties on distracted drivers who cause a fatal accident and flee the scene without reporting it championed by State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) was signed into law last week.
“Fleeing the scene of an accident is irresponsible, potentially fatal for an injured person at the scene and can slow down the efforts of investigators. We have to discourage it,” Crowe said.
Crowe’s measure adds an aggravating factor to sentencing considerations for those who cause an accident by being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or distracted by an electronic communication device and then flee the scene.
Senator Crowe and the Madison County’s State’s Attorney’s Office partnered up to shape this legislation to ensure justice for victims and their loved ones.
Read more: Fleeing accident scene to carry harsher penalties under new Crowe law
SPRINGFIELD – Legislation requiring a secure, electronic database to simplify the process of accessing all the communications between sexual assault victims and the many other parties involved in investigating their cases was signed into law today. This initiative is co-sponsored by State Senator Rachelle Crowe.
“Sexual assault investigations are complicated, and survivors are trying to keep track of everything during this time-sensitive process while also undergoing terrible personal trauma,” Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) said. “This program will allow secure conversations and status updates for all involved throughout a complex process. This is one more way we can empower survivors.”
The plan, Senate Bill 1411, specifies that survivors, health care facilities, law enforcement agencies and the State’s Attorney’s office are “stakeholders” with access to the files in question. The state will fund the program using moneys for crime labs and through additional funding for Illinois State Police.
“Our strong commitment to prosecuting sex offenders must be complimented by the very best support systems for sexual assault survivors. The criminal justice system can be challenging for victims to navigate- especially for those who have suffered such severe trauma,” said Tom Gibbons, Madison County State’s Attorney. “This law represents big progress toward providing real support for survivors at a time when the need it most. I am grateful to Senator Crowe for her tireless dedication to fighting for victims of crime with common sense reforms.”
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachelle Crowe will serve as a strong voice for Metro East residents as co-chair on Illinois’ new state task force, to study how to relieve the burden of high property taxes, the Glen Carbon Democrat announced today.
“I’m looking forward to researching property taxes and reporting back with comprehensive solutions,” Crowe said. “This burden affects the majority of adults in Illinois, and I commend my colleague and friend, Senator Andy Manar, for passing this legislation.”
The Task Force will make recommendations for the development of administrative, electoral, and legislative efforts at property tax relief.
Read more: Crowe named co-chair on new Property Tax Relief Task Force
SPRINGFIELD – In response to her district’s opioid crisis, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) co-sponsored an initiative to expand Illinois’ medical cannabis program. It was signed into law this week.
“By expanding access to medicinal cannabis, we are giving those with an opioid prescription another option to manage their pain,” Crowe said. “Opioids are highly addictive when abused, and this program will offer qualifying individuals an alternative.”
Earlier this year, the Illinois Department of Public Health successfully launched the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program to give patients access to medical cannabis in exchange for their opioid prescription.
The legislation also expands access to the medicinal cannabis program. It gives nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants the authority to certify a patient’s eligibility for medicinal cannabis. Currently, only doctors have this authority.
The initiative also adds 12 qualifying debilitating medical conditions, bringing the total number of conditions to 54.
Senate Bill 2023 is effective Jan. 1, 2020
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) was recognized at a ceremony at the Illinois State Fair today for championing the Elder Abuse Task Force.
“Elder abuse was one heinous crime that always stuck with me during my time as a prosecutor,” Crowe said. “So when I joined the Senate this year, I made it a priority to do something about it.”
The priorities of the Elder Abuse Task Force are to study and report recommendations on senior mistreatment and protective services and laws.
According to the Illinois Department on Aging, abuse takes many forms and, in most cases, victims are subjected to more than one type of mistreatment. Elder abuse can include physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; confinement; passive neglect; willful deprivation; or financial exploitation.
“Just as I proudly stood against elder abuse in my previous profession, I will stand against it as a member of this task force,” Crowe said. “I look forward to working directly to protect our elders.”
Illinois is the ninth state to create an elder abuse working group.
The task force’s first report is due Jan. 1, 2021.
SPRINGFIELD – A measure to require insurance companies to provide heart and lung monitors to children advanced by State Senator Rachelle Crowe was signed by Gov. Pritzker today.
This legislation expands health coverage on cardiopulmonary monitors for minors who have had complications in the past and remain at a higher risk for other problems.
“Families who cannot afford heart or lung monitors for their children deserve this relief from their insurance company,” Crowe said.
The measure was brought to Crowe by Mary Cope, a resident of Wood River who lost her infant granddaughter, Marlie, after the child was denied a heart monitor. The legislation is named Marlie’s Law in her memory.
“The heartache my family experiences every day is something I hope this legislation can prevent another family from ever knowing,” Cope said.
“This legislation ensures no child will be denied a life-saving device again,” Crowe said.
House Bill 3471 will go into effect in Illinois on Jan. 1, 2020.
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