SPRINGFIELD – To protect against gender-related violence in the workplace, State Senator Karina Villa passed a bill from the Senate to clarify areas of the Gender Violence Act in regards to employer accountability.

“Work should not be a violent environment for anyone; employees should have protection if they feel unsafe by the actions of a coworker or their employer,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This bill aims to make sure those in a position of power are held responsible for protecting their employees and held accountable when they fail.”

SPRINGFIELD – To address the shortage of nurses in health care facilities across Illinois, State Senator Karina Villa passed a bill from the Senate on Thursday. 

“Nursing is a difficult profession. It is a demanding job both physically and mentally,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Nurses should feel supported, and my hope is this initiative will help provide that support so more people will be inspired to join and stay in the nursing profession.”

The growing scarcity of nurses in Illinois, especially in Southern Illinois, is negatively impacting patients, as well as existing nurses who have to work without a full staff in some of these health care facilities. Nurses are a critical part of health care and make up the largest section of the health profession. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that more than 275,000 additional nurses will be needed from 2020 to 2030.

SPRINGFIELD – Following findings of testing bias in social worker licensure exams, State Senator Karina Villa moved a bill out of the Senate Licensed Activities Committee on Wednesday to provide social workers who are minorities another, more equitable avenue for obtaining a license.

“Social workers are the largest group of mental health care providers in the United States, and their dedication makes our communities a better place to live in,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Those who wish to become social workers should not feel discriminated against in the process of obtaining their license and beginning their career.”

House Bill 2365 provides a clinical social worker with an alternative route to obtain a license, given they complete an additional 3,000 hours of supervision after having taken and not passed the Association of Social Work Boards license exam. The bill also allows applicants to receive supervised training from other approved areas if no licensed clinical social worker is available for those additional 3,000 hours.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase donation opportunities to the Illinois Dream Fund, which provides scholarships to eligible college students, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure from the Senate on Thursday. 

“Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education if that is what they wish to do,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Dreamers are no different, and this initiative will increase funds for scholarships, giving more students the opportunity to attend college.”

House Bill 3233 allows customers who transmit money internationally the option to voluntarily donate a portion of their money to the Illinois Dream Fund, whose mission is to provide life-changing financial support to undocumented immigrants who wish to pursue higher education and help them successfully work toward degree completion.

Under this measure, the Illinois Dream Fund Commission will also develop a comprehensive program, including creation of informational materials and a marketing plan, to educate people in Illinois about the purpose and benefits of contributions made to the Illinois Dream Fund, such as increasing scholarship opportunities.

“Contributing to someone’s education is a wonderful and noble thing to do,” Villa said. “I encourage everyone who can donate to look into giving to the Illinois Dream Fund when the time comes.”

House Bill 3233 passed the Senate on Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD – To equip music venues with overdose-reversing medications and increase patron safety at concert venues, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a bill from the Senate on Friday.

“Going to a concert is meant to be a relaxing and joyful experience – one bad decision should not cost someone their health or life,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This bill will save lives by expanding first aid in concert halls, training staff to treat overdose and ensuring the proper tools are on site.”

House Bill 1557 requires for-profit music venues that have an occupancy of 1,000 or more to have opioid-overdose antidotes, such as naloxone, on hand and have staff members who are sufficiently trained in administrating it. This bill applies to music venues for live concerts or musical performances for which tickets are sold for entry.

Naloxone is used to reverse an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and restoring breathing. Amphetamine and ecstasy are common “party drugs” used at concerts that could potentially be laced with opioids. Those attending a concert could consume a drug unaware of the harmful contents inside leading to possible overdose. This measure would equip venue staff with the resources and training needed to help prevent concertgoers from overdosing.

“Those who consume a harmful substance on purpose or accidentally at a concert or music festival might not be aware they are putting opioids into their system,” Villa said. “We cannot catch every single person who sneaks harmful substances into a concert; however, we can help those who might be at risk of overdosing by putting in place this backup measure.”

House Bill 1557 passed the Senate on Friday.

SPRINGFIELD – To help address the shortage of nurses in health care facilities across Illinois, State Senator Karina Villa moved a bill out of the Senate Labor Committee on Wednesday.

“Nurses are an instrumental part of our communities; they are the ones on the frontlines helping our loved ones when they are ill,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “My hope is this legislation will help support nurses so more people will be inspired to join and stay in the profession.”

The growing scarcity of nurses in Illinois, especially in Southern Illinois, is negatively impacting patients, as well as existing nurses who have to work without a full staff in some of these health care facilities. House Bill 1615 amends the Nurse Practice Act to provide that the Nursing Workforce Center will develop strategies to ensure proper actions are being taken to address the statewide nurse shortages.

SPRINGFIELD – Emergency workers, such as firefighters, police officers or probation officers, put their lives on the line to protect the public. To guarantee these workers are insured when injured on the job, State Senator Karina Villa moved a bill out of the Senate Labor Committee on Wednesday.

“Law enforcement and firefighters risk their health for the safety of our communities every day,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This legislation will protect those who are gravely injured on the job by making sure their employers cover their health insurance.”

House Bill 3249 requires public employers to pay the full premium of a health insurance plan for a current employee, their spouse or their dependents if the employee is a full-time law enforcement officer, correctional or correctional probation officer or firefighter who has suffered a catastrophic injury or was killed in the line of duty.  

SPRINGFIELD – To increase patron safety at concert venues, State Senator Karina Villa moved a bill out of the Senate Public Health Committee on Tuesday to equip music venues with overdose-reversing medications. 

“People go to a music festival or concert to enjoy themselves — one bad decision should not cost them their life,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Whether someone consumes a harmful substance on purpose or accidentally, this bill will save lives by expanding first aid in concert halls to include treating overdose.”