SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to further protect senior citizens, an initiative by State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) to deny inheritance to those convicted of assaulting their elderly family members was signed into law last week.
“It’s disheartening that we need legislation such as this to prevent family members from taking advantage of their elders,” Crowe said. “Seniors are targeted every day for their estate, and I’m proud to put this legislation forward to prevent abusers from benefitting after committing this serious crime.”
Under the current Elder Abuse and Neglect Act, a person convicted of financial exploitation, abuse or neglect of an elderly person is prohibited from benefitting from the victim’s estate. Crowe’s measure expands the law to include assault, aggravated assault, battery and aggravated battery against people over 60 years old.
“Every day, we see the devastating effects of abuse of senior citizens, often by family members,” said Tom Gibbons, Madison County State’s Attorney. “I’m thankful to Senator Crowe and our legislators passing this important measure to prevent abusers from profiting from their abuse.”
Read more: New law by Crowe denies inheritance to those who abuse elderly family members
SPRINGFIELD – A measure to prevent more tragic losses of emergency responders and highway workers, co-sponsored by State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon), was signed into law this week.
“This initiative’s purpose is to encourage drivers to slow down and move over whenever any vehicle is stalled on the side of the road,” Crowe said. “Our first responders are losing their lives because of carelessness, and we can’t tolerate it.”
This year, Troopers Christopher Lambert, Brooke Jones-Story and Gerald Ellis were killed in the line of duty when vehicles hit them while their vehicles were stalled on the side of the road. The law was initially passed in memory of Lieutenant Scott Gillen.
Read more: Crowe applauds stronger Scott’s Law to prevent roadway fatalities
COLLINSVILLE – State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) welcomed Gov. JB Pritzker and other area legislators to the 56th District to celebrate a list of accomplishments this past session.
“The state was able to make some much needed updates to current laws that are felt throughout the Metro East,” Crowe said. “Today was about showcasing those ideas and meeting with the people our legislation will affect.”
Crowe was joined by Gov. JB Pritzker, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Cahokia), state Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville), state Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) and state Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) and state Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) at the Fairmount Park Race Track in Collinsville to applaud Illinois’ expansion of sports betting allowing racetracks to benefit from revenue by gaming machines.
Next, officials traveled to Southern Illinois University’s campus in Edwardsville for the governor to sign House Bill 2239 into law, allowing both student trustees to be voting members of the Southern Illinois University Board. This measure aims to give both the Edwardsville campus as well as the Carbondale campus a voice in decision-making.
“Student voices matter. That, at its core, is why we’re amplifying the student voice on the Board of Trustees, offering each major campus equal say in board affairs no matter the date or time of year,” Gov. JB Pritzker said.
Read more: Crowe joined by governor, lawmakers in 56th Senate District to commend state’s efforts
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois residents’ genetic testing results will now be protected under a new state law passed by State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) and signed by Gov. JB Pritzker today.
“As technology advances, we have to update our laws to reflect ways it can be improperly used, and the personal data of private citizens is being used inappropriately every day,” Crowe said. “Keeping genetic information confidential is crucial to protecting a person’s right to privacy.”
The legislation prohibits companies that provide direct-to-consumer commercial genetic testing, such as Ancestry.com and 23andMe, from sharing any test results with health or life insurance companies without the consumer’s consent.
Read more: Governor signs Crowe’s initiative to protect personal genetic data
GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College will receive a total of $113,300 in state grants, State Senator Rachelle Crowe announced today.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White awarded the grant through the Adult Literacy Grant Program, which helps learners develop and enhance their reading, math, writing and English-language skills.
“Ensuring all adults have adequate resources in literacy and other English-language skills provides them the support they need to lead successful lives,” Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) said. “I am grateful that the secretary of state continues to prioritize theses significant programs.”
Lewis and Clark Community College will be receiving $63,300 for Project READ and $50,000 for the Alton Area Family Literacy Program for a total of $113,300.
Read more: Crowe announces literacy grants for Lewis and Clark Community College
COLLINSVILLE – The Mississippi Valley Library District is the recipient of a $19,264 mentoring grant from the Illinois secretary of state, State Senator Rachelle Crowe announced.
The grant was awarded through the FY20 Project Next Generation program, which is a mentoring program administered through Illinois public libraries. Mentors work with middle and high school students to help them develop skills needed to use technology and find success through project-based learning. Mentors also help with developing life skills, such as effective communication, goal setting and conflict resolution.
The Mississippi Valley Library District is one of 29 public libraries in the state to receive the grant.
“I commend the secretary of state’s continued effort to support our underserved youth,” Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) said. “Putting more money into public libraries gives local children access to resources that improve their skills and confidence in the classroom.”
Read more: Crowe announces mentoring grant for Mississippi Valley Library District
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachelle Crowe is working to make insulin more affordable for Metro East residents.
Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is a chief cosponsor of Senate Bill 667, which caps the out-of-pocket costs for patients to $100 for a 30-day supply of prescription insulin.
“People who require insulin do not have a choice in their medication,” Crowe said. “Drug manufacturers should not be able to raise the cost to line their own pockets at a patient’s expense.”
For people with severe diabetes, insulin could mean the difference between life and death, but regular price hikes make insulin difficult to afford for the uninsured and those whose coverage requires significant cost sharing.
Read more: Crowe joins fight against high insulin costs for Illinois residents
CASEYVILLE – As technology evolves and scammers find new ways to target the older population, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) reminded people of the many ways in which they should protect themselves during the seminar for seniors she hosted Wednesday.
“Scammers are getting more and more creative over the phone and internet, and are targeting elders’ wallets,” Crowe said. “I wouldn’t be doing my job if I wasn’t trying my best to provide seniors with the skills to fight back.”
The event was free and open to the public at the Caseyville Public Library on Wednesday. The Attorney General’s Office and State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) co-hosted the event with Crowe.
Read more: Crowe’s event educated seniors on fraud and identity theft prevention
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