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.

SPRINGFIELD – College students may soon see more affordable course materials under a law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to create a task force dedicated to making textbooks and other course materials more affordable.

“I’m committed to making higher education more affordable for Illinois students—finding ways to lower textbook costs is an important part of that fight,” Murphy said. “I am excited for the task force to begin work and find ways to lift the financial burden on college students and their families.”

The legislation creates the Course Materials Equitable Access and Affordability Study Task Force, which will research ways to save students money on course materials, examine digital learning materials in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and publish its findings online.

DES PLAINES – To support local businesses as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and provide an opportunity for their owners to share concerns about the state’s pandemic response, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is launching a small business tour series and invites entrepreneurs in the Northwest Suburbs to apply.

“Our small businesses have overcome unimaginable challenges over the past year and a half. Although we’re approaching recovery, many business owners are still in need of support,” Murphy said. “I look forward to touring our community’s businesses, hearing their stories and helping promote their work.”

Murphy hopes to visit a variety of businesses, including, but not limited to, retail shops, manufacturing businesses and businesses in the service industry – from salons to optometrists.

Business owners can submit their information at www.SenatorLauraMurphy.com/SmallBusinessTours to be considered for a tour. Once an application is received, a member of Murphy’s team will reach out with additional details.

Applications will be accepted through July 30. Tours will begin in August.

Those with questions can contact Murphy’s office at 847-718-1110 or www.SenatorLauraMurphy.com/contact-us.

SPRINGFIELD – Students of all backgrounds can represent their schools with confidence under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) giving students more flexibility in the design of their athletic uniforms.

“Athletic uniforms are about establishing a sense of camaraderie between team members, but for many students, the design of a uniform can be a barrier,” Murphy said. “This law represents a step forward for diversity and inclusion in Illinois.”

The law enables student athletes at public K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and community colleges in Illinois to modify their athletic or team uniform to be in accordance with their cultural values, modesty standards or religion.

The legislation was sponsored in the House by State Representative Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago).

DES PLAINES – Residents of the Northwest Suburbs will see significant improvements to local roads as part of a $66 million infrastructure investment across northern Cook County, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced.

“These improvements are a long time coming,” Murphy said. “In just a few short months, residents and visitors to the Northwest Suburbs will be able to enjoy safer, more pleasant travel across the region.”

Three resurfacing projects began this spring and are currently underway in the 28^th District:

• Arlington Heights Road from Palatine Road to Higgins Road (Illinois 72), to be completed in late fall;
• Busse Road (Illinois 83) from Golf Road (Illinois 58) to Higgins Road, to be completed this summer; and
• Palatine Road from Algonquin Road (Illinois 62) to east of Roselle Road, to be completed this fall.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced seven current and upcoming projects in northern Cook County, representing a total investment of more than $66 million for the region, made possible by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program.

“These projects represent a significant investment in northern Cook County and are a big step forward in our work to improve safety, mobility and create economic opportunity for years to come,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “We’re asking drivers to be patient, slow down and pay extra attention driving in and around any work zone.”

More information about IDOT projects is available here.

DES PLAINES – Pedestrians and bicyclists in Des Plaines will be able to enjoy safer access to a 55-mile trail running from the Wisconsin border down through central Cook County thanks to a combined $3.5 million investment in local infrastructure improvements, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced.

“The Des Plaines River Trail is one of the area’s most popular routes for families and commuters,” Murphy said. “These improvements will make it safer and easier for residents to enjoy miles of natural beauty.”

The City of Des Plaines will receive $1.9 million to create a sidepath, for use by both pedestrians and bicyclists, along the north side of Oakton Street between Des Plaines River Road and the Des Plaines River Trail. The new route will offer commuters and recreational users in Des Plaines safer and more direct access to the trail.

An additional $1.6 million will make improvements to Segment 2 of the Des Plaines River Trail through Rosemont.

These improvements are funded through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP), for which the Illinois Department of Transportation has selected 99 projects totaling $105.7 million. Projects receiving funding in this round of investment include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification, and other projects designed to encourage safe travel across the various modes of transportation at the local level.

Residents of the Northwest Suburbs will also see improvements to a number of other area trails for pedestrians and bicyclists through ITEP, including Clearmont Pedestrian Bridge over Salt Creek in Elk Grove Village and County Farm Road in Hanover Park.

“The new and improved Des Plaines River Trail will allow residents of Wisconsin, Lake County and Cook County to travel throughout the region without worrying about dangerous crossings, flooding and other obstacles,” Murphy said. “I’m excited to see these long-awaited projects take shape.”