SPRINGFIELD – University administrators will no longer be able to exploit loopholes in the law by receiving massive payouts, or “golden parachutes,” after leaving their positions under a new law introduced by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

Lawmakers passed the Government Severance Pay Act in 2018 to limit the amount paid in university severance packages. Murphy’s measure strengthens the act by expanding the definition of severance pay and defining limits on compensation.

CHICAGO – To ask questions and offer feedback on behalf of small businesses in the district she represents and across Illinois, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) joined Thursday’s joint hearing of the Illinois Senate Appropriations and Commerce Committees on the Back to Business (B2B) small business recovery program.

“Small business owners have suffered unimaginable stress over the past year. State and federal grant programs offered them some relief, but funding didn’t reach everyone who needed it,” Murphy said. “We approached this hearing seeking answers and solutions for the businesses that felt left out in the cold.”

The B2B program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, is expected to distribute $250 million in economic relief to small businesses across the state to help offset losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leveraging relationships with regional partners established through the recently expanded community navigator outreach program, DCEO will conduct outreach locally for the B2B grant program and prioritize hardest-hit industries and communities.

At the hearing, lawmakers questioned representatives from DCEO, conveyed feedback from their local small business owners and offered suggestions on how the B2B program could learn from the successes and shortfalls of previous relief programs like the Business Interruption Grant program to better serve the needs of the Illinois small business community.

“The Back to Business program has enormous positive potential for small business communities across the state, but it must be managed with business owners and communities’ interests in mind,” Murphy said. “The feedback we received during this hearing should help direct outreach, funds and other resources to the businesses and communities that need them most.”

Applications for the B2B program open Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. More information, eligibility requirements and applications are available on DCEO’s website at Illinois.gov/DCEO.

SPRINGFIELD – Students who are serving or have served in the military now have easier access to tailored support services on campus under a law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“Students have faced unbelievable stress over the past year, and current and former military students are often under additional pressure,” Murphy said. “With the fall semester on the horizon, it’s important that we spread the word about available mental health resources.”

SPRINGFIELD – To identify problem areas on state roads and allow residents to drive, bike and walk safely in their communities, a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to look more closely into traffic accidents on state highways that result in the death of a pedestrian.

“Even one pedestrian fatality is too many,” Murphy said. “By working proactively to pinpoint areas of concern and make immediate improvements, we can make our roads safer and prevent injury and death.”

SPRINGFIELD – To better understand the prevalence of bullying and violence in Illinois schools, a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) will strengthen incident reporting requirements.

“Nationwide rates of violence between students are alarming—to ensure we’re keeping our students safe, we need a deeper understanding of the issue in Illinois,” Murphy said. “The first step toward solving any problem is gathering information.”

SPRINGFIELD – Parents can now enjoy the peace of mind that videos of their students at school won’t be shared with unauthorized parties under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) removing the video recording requirement from the Illinois edTPA teacher licensing assessment.

“In order to gain a teaching license, educators in training have been forced to put kids’ privacy—and in some cases, their safety—at risk,” Murphy said. “With new cybersecurity threats being discovered every day, this law ensures our students are protected.”

SPRINGFIELD – Doctors trying to restore their medical licenses will have a clearer understanding of the process under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) requiring the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to publish detailed instructions on its website.

“Physicians looking to begin practicing medicine again should be able to pursue license restoration without having to wade through complicated rules and requirements,” Murphy said. “This law doesn’t change the restoration process itself, but makes it more transparent.”

The law requires IDFPR to post on its website the process for requesting a hearing on disciplinary action and the process for restoring a medical license after successful completion of a term of probation, suspension or revocation.

Illinois physicians already possess these rights, but they must often wade through complicated legal codes for information about the necessary steps. As a result, requesting a hearing or license restoration can be confusing and frustrating.

“There’s no point in subjecting physicians to wrong turns and headaches to return to the field,” Murphy said. “This law ensures IDFPR spells out the specific steps and requirements a doctor must follow to restore their license in one easily accessible location.”

The law, originally Senate Bill 1790, takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.

SPRINGFIELD – Condominium boards will be allowed to require a majority of board members to live on site under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“When a condominium board is made up of off-site board members, residents’ needs may not be accurately represented,” Murphy said. “This legislation gives condominium associations the chance to ensure decisions are being made by the people who live there.”

The legislation allows a condominium’s bylaws to include a provision requiring the majority of the condominium board to be made up of members who occupy a unit as their primary residence.

A constituent approached Murphy with the idea for the legislation, citing concerns that board members who do not reside on the property may not be positioned to make decisions affecting other unit owners.

“Nonresidents may not have the same motivations and interests as those who live on the condominium property,” Murphy said. “Important decisions should be made by those who call the community home.”

Senate Bill 636 was signed into law Monday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.