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CHICAGO – Felony prostitution charges, which have not existed in Illinois since 2013, will be expunged under a new law signed today, the result of legislation by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago).
“The fact we have stopped charging prostitution as a felony means nothing to those whose records continue to be hurt by these charges,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “I want to thank Gov. Pritzker for signing this legislation and moving us beyond a dynamic that only serves to harm sex workers and perpetuate a dangerous, exploitative environment for them.”
Read more: Collins’ plan to expunge felony prostitution convictions signed into law
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CHICAGO — To fight the isolation that has only become worse for so many seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new law signed today requires virtual visitation options at long-term care facilities, the result of legislation by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago).
“The past year of this pandemic has seen nursing home residents suffer beyond what we could have imagined. Many have lost their friends or caregivers, and have had to live in fear for their own health and safety. Nursing homes in communities of color have been especially hard hit," Collins said. “I thank Gov. Pritzker for signing this law and acknowledging that our duty to older adults is not just caring for their bodies, but their hearts.”
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CHICAGO – The final pieces of a legislative package aimed at fighting human trafficking will become law today after Gov. JB Pritzker signed three key measures sponsored by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago). Collins’ plan comprises House Bill 588 and Senate Bills 1599 and 1600.
Collins is particularly concerned about the issue because a disproportionate number of the missing people in the United States are Black. According to the National Crime Information Center, there were 609,275 missing people in the U.S. in 2019. Nearly 34% of that number – 205,802 – were Black.
Read more: Collins’ plan to fight human trafficking signed into law
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SPRINGFIELD – Someone who commits a serious crime, such as assault or harassment, motivated by someone’s immigration status – real or perceived – could soon be charged with a hate crime.
“There is no place for hate in our society,” said State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago), the measure’s sponsor. “This new law will help protect immigrants and children of immigrants from all across the world, but especially our Latino brothers and sisters.”
Read more: Targeting immigrants now a hate crime thanks to Collins law
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CHICAGO – Illinois schools will be required to develop and communicate their truancy policies to families on a yearly basis under legislation by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) that was signed into law today.
“When it comes to chronic absences, we tend to just see the empty desk. The truth is that we need to see the student and the challenges they may face with transportation, family illness, mental health difficulties or disabilities,” said Collins. “This ensures that families are being informed of absence policies that are consistent and are applied consistently. I thank Gov. Pritzker for signing this into law.”
Chronic truancy — when a student misses more than 5% of the school year — has increased in Illinois since 2015, when about 9% of students were considered chronically truant. As many as 13.4% are chronically truant currently. Senate Bill 605 requires schools to develop a truancy and chronic absence policy each year and report it to families, including information on chronic truancy.
The legislation takes effect July 1, 2022.
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CHICAGO – Insurers will be required to inform policyholders whether health care providers offer telehealth or telemedicine and how they’ll accommodate a family caregiver under a new law signed by Gov. Pritzker today, the result of legislation by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago).
“The shift to telehealth during the pandemic has actually been something of an upside for patients who struggle with mobility challenges or a lack of ready access to transportation,” Collins said. “This law acknowledges that this is a new normal, and that patients need to be informed of their options as they determine their coverage. I want to thank Gov. Pritzker for signing this into law today.”
Senate Bill 332 also requires insurance providers to detail whether a health care provider has the ability and willingness to include a family caregiver who is in a different location than the patient in a telehealth or telemedicine encounter.
The legislation is effective immediately.
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Legislation is part of Collins’ push against trafficking
SPRINGFIELD – Information about human trafficking would also be displayed in public restrooms of establishments like truck stops, hotels and restaurants as part of the latest legislation fighting human trafficking sponsored by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago).
“This may seem like a minor action, but we must remember two very important things: Human trafficking is here in Illinois, and it thrives on invisibility,” said Collins. “Today, we have taken a small step toward raising awareness about this crime against humanity.”
Collins is the Senate sponsor of House Bill 588, which would require high-traffic businesses to display signs in their restrooms created by the Illinois Department of Human Services that list the phone number for the 24/7 National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline.
Read more: Senate passes another part of Collins’ plan to fight human trafficking
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SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) continued her efforts to fight human trafficking Thursday, passing legislation out of a Senate committee that would require human trafficking information and public service announcements be posted in public restrooms of businesses such as motels, truck stops, and restaurants.
“Illinois’ position at the crossroads of America means that human trafficking is happening here,” Collins said. “Raising the public’s awareness of this and conveying the message that we must work together to fight human trafficking is key, and posting this information is a first step to doing that.”
Read more: Collins moves to post human trafficking warnings in public restrooms
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