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Collins joins SEIU in advocating for safe nursing home staffing levels

Details
Category: Senator Lakesia Collins News
Tuesday, April 08, 2025 04:00 PM
  • Long-term Care Facilities
  • SEIU Healthcare
  • L.Collins
  • HB 2474

Collins r

SPRINGFIELD – On Tuesday, State Senator Lakesia Collins joined Service Employees International Union members to advocate for safe nursing home staffing levels and spoke about the care in long-term facilities and the options available to Illinois seniors.

“Short staffing can affect the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of workers and often times we have no idea what they are going through and the challenges they face,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Workers are often punished by shortages with higher workloads and longer hours due to the understaffing, and are often the first to blame when they were the ones who showed up to work.”

Prior to joining the General Assembly, Collins served as a certified nursing assistant in nursing homes and is a strong advocate for care workers and nursing home residents.

Read more: Collins joins SEIU in advocating for safe nursing home staffing levels

Collins pushes for transition plan for youth aging out of foster care

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Category: Senator Lakesia Collins News
Thursday, April 03, 2025 06:43 PM
  • DCFS
  • Foster Children
  • L.Collins
  • SB 1504
  • Independence

Senator Lakesia Collins

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure all youth in foster care have a pathway to independence, State Senator Lakesia Collins moved legislation that would establish a transition process to ensure youth aging out of care are provided with opportunities to succeed.

“As someone who has experienced the hardships of growing out of foster care, I know how important it is to create pathways for children to succeed,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “By giving foster children opportunities to learn and navigate adulthood, we are giving them a better future.”

Under Senate Bill 1504, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services would be required to develop a transition plan for youth age 15 and older to help prepare them for their transition out of care. Currently, youth in care are not eligible to receive most services after the age of 21, and the vast majority transition out of DCFS care on their 21st birthdays or earlier.

Read more: Collins pushes for transition plan for youth aging out of foster care

Expanded protections for nursing home residents signed into law, thanks to Collins

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Category: Senator Lakesia Collins News
Friday, March 21, 2025 04:07 PM
  • Seniors
  • Nursing Homes
  • L.Collins
  • HB 2474

Senator Lakesia Collins

SPRINGFIELD – To enhance protections for Illinois seniors and prevent abuse, State Senator Lakesia Collins’ new law will prohibit retaliatory action against nursing home residents.

“Nursing homes must be accountable to our most vulnerable residents, and with this law we can safeguard Illinois seniors from neglect,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Seniors deserve a standard of living with dignity and respect.”

Under the new law, House Bill 2474, nursing homes are prohibited from retaliating against a resident who is exercising their rights. If a resident faces retaliation, they are able to file a civil suit against the nursing home and potentially recover damages.

Read more: Expanded protections for nursing home residents signed into law, thanks to Collins

Collins pushes for more support for new mothers on Medicaid

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Category: Senator Lakesia Collins News
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 11:12 AM
  • L.Collins
  • Mothers
  • SB 2437
  • Maternal Health

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SPRINGFIELD – Continuing her support for mothers across Illinois, State Senator Lakesia Collins is leading a measure to give mothers enrolled in Medicaid better access to maternal health services.

“I know the hardships of being a new mother, and for those on Medicaid, having a doula by their side can be a lifeline,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This is one more way Illinois can assist new moms and continues our commitment to expanding care to marginalized communities and those who rely on Medicaid.”

Under Senate Bill 2437, hospitals and birthing centers would be required to give patients enrolled in Medicaid the option to select a certified doula through the Illinois Medicaid-Certified Doula Program. Covered doula services can include counseling and support, newborn care, development of a birth plan, attendance at health care appointments, support during labor and delivery and more.

Read more: Collins pushes for more support for new mothers on Medicaid

Collins pushes for expanded protections for nursing home residents

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Category: Senator Lakesia Collins News
Sunday, January 05, 2025 04:42 PM
  • Nursing Homes
  • L.Collins
  • Slideshow
  • HB 2474

State Senator Lakesia Collins

SPRINGFIELD – To safeguard and protect Illinois seniors from neglect and abuse, State Senator Lakesia Collins’ bill looks to prohibit retaliatory action against nursing home residents and hold bad nursing homes accountable.

“When you are in assisted living, you rely on caregivers and staff to help you every day, and this bill looks to protect residents in care from neglectful and abusive practices,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Seniors deserve our upmost respect, and with this bill, we can expand and protect the rights they have and the avenues they can seek justice.”

Under the legislation, House Bill 2474, nursing homes would be prohibited from retaliating against a resident who is exercising their rights. If a resident faces retaliation, they would be able to file a civil suit against the nursing home and potentially recover damages if proven true.

Read more: Collins pushes for expanded protections for nursing home residents

Collins works to expand protections for survivors of sexual abuse

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Category: Senator Lakesia Collins News
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 06:03 PM
  • Children
  • Sexual Abuse
  • L.Collins
  • HB 222

Senator Lakesia Collins

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Lakesia Collins is leading a measure to protect children and help survivors of sexual abuse seek justice.

“Sexual abuse is always traumatic for children – full stop. But with this legislation, we can give them stronger support if they choose to bring an action in court,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “No one should have to sit in a court room and defend themselves after being victimized as a child.”

Under the initiative, House Bill 222, the use of contributory fault as a tactic to reduce damages in childhood sexual abuse cases would be prohibited. Further, the measure would treat all childhood sexual abuse or contact as inherently harmful in a court of law, which would eliminate the need for the survivor to present further evidence of trauma.

Read more: Collins works to expand protections for survivors of sexual abuse

Collins receives Richard J. Phelan Profile in Courage Award

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Category: Senator Lakesia Collins News
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 10:26 AM
  • L.Collins
  • Birth Equity
  • Planned Parenthood
  • Richard J. Phelan in Courage Award

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CHICAGO – State Senator Lakesia Collins joined Planned Parenthood of Illinois to receive the Richard J. Phelan Profile in Courage Award for her efforts to improve equity in reproductive care and maternal and infant health.

“It is a great honor to be among the fierce champions selected for this award, and I am proud to stand alongside Planned Parenthood as we champion reproductive freedom across Illinois,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Being among such passionate advocates fighting for bodily autonomy is truly inspiring.”

The Richard J. Phelan Profile in Courage Award — named after the late Cook County Board president who restored abortion services at the county’s health system in 1992 — is presented to individuals who champion reproductive rights and freedoms through their public service.

Read more: Collins receives Richard J. Phelan Profile in Courage Award

Collins excited for signing of Liam’s Law to provide closure to parents experiencing a stillbirth

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Category: Senator Lakesia Collins News
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 10:09 AM
  • L.Collins
  • Liam's Law
  • SB 3182

CollinsSPRINGFIELD – State Senator Lakesia Collins is proud to support and see the signing of Liam’s Law that will provide better bereavement support measures to parents experiencing perinatal and infant loss.

“This law will give grieving families more supportive options when perinatal loss occurs,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “It is important these parents know what their rights are during a loss of pregnancy as they go through what can be the hardest time of an individual’s life.”

Collins measure, Liam’s Law, will better support families in these circumstances. The measure will require hospitals to notify the parents of their right to receive a certificate of birth resulting in a stillbirth following a spontaneous fetal death during or after the second trimester.

Read more: Collins excited for signing of Liam’s Law to provide closure to parents experiencing a stillbirth

More Articles …

  1. Collins law will further family reunification efforts for youth in care
  2. Senate Democrats join governor in signing of historic birth equity legislation
  3. Collins secures funding for African American-led data center development
  4. Collins birth equity initiative aims to reduce maternal mortality
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