NAPERVILLE – Families across the 21st District will soon be able to enjoy upgrades to services at their local libraries as a result of almost $330,000 in state grants, announced State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville).

“Libraries provide so many necessary services to local families,” Ellman said. “The resources we give to our libraries, they put back into our communities tenfold.”

The $330,000 in grants received by five local libraries is part of $18.1 million in grants awarded to 638 public libraries across the state. For more than 40 years, the Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Program has helped public libraries with a low library tax base to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

SPRINGFIELD – With the passage of landmark legislation that would establish Illinois as a national leader in the clean energy sector, Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) released the following statement:

“Illinois would be at the forefront of the fight against the climate crisis with this progressive energy policy. We can be proud of our state, as it leads the way with equity-focused legislation to fight global warming.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that requires insurers to cover important tests for people with or at risk of developing diabetes was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday. 

“Diabetes is serious, but often preventable,” Ellman said. “People have the right to know if they’re at risk, and this law guarantees insurance providers will cover the tests.” 

Risk factors for people who have or may have prediabetes and diabetes include vitamin D deficiency and low blood sugar levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ellman’s new law requires insurers to cover A1C and vitamin D tests that are recommended by health care providers for people who may have or have prediabetes, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. 

SPRINGFIELD – People seeking help for an individual experiencing an opioid overdose will no longer fear arrest under Alex’s Law, a new statute sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that was signed into law on Friday.

“Fear of criminal charges should never result in someone not receiving the medical assistance they need,” Ellman said. “Saving lives has to be our first priority.”

SPRINGFIELD – Public schools will recognize the historical and present-day contributions of Muslim Americans and those of other faiths in the state of Illinois under a new law sponsored by State Senate Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that was signed into law on Thursday.

“It’s our responsibility to ensure all Illinoisans feel represented in this state,” Ellman said. “That begins by making sure students learn about people like them in school.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois will begin phasing out toxic PFAS chemicals used in firefighting foam under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that was signed into law on Friday.

“PFAS exposure has been shown to have serious health consequences, including kidney issues and cancer,” Ellman said. “We need to act if we wish to decrease the public’s exposure, especially firefighters.”

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) has been selected to be part of the ninth annual Edgar Fellows Program out of a pool of 187 nominees from all levels of government, nonprofit organizations, and the business world.

“The names of those chosen as this year’s Edgar Fellows have been released, and I am incredibly honored to be among them,” Ellman said. “I look forward to experiencing the program with this class, and I expect to learn a lot.”

SPRINGFIELD – Students will be allowed to use 529 college savings accounts for other education-related purposes without additional taxation under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that was signed into law Friday.

“This law reflects the realities of modern-day higher education by allowing college savings plans to be used in more flexible ways,” Ellman said. “Loans and job-training programs are essential to students’ education, and they need to be able to use their savings plans to pay for them.”

A qualified tuition plan, also known as a 529 plan, is a type of savings account used for spending related to a child’s education. Savings in 529 accounts can be withdrawn tax-free for certain educational expenses. The new law allows a person to use up to $10,000 from their 529 savings account for additional education-related purposes without being taxed, making Illinois law consistent with federal law.