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

“We are enabling the continuous support for mothers to have a doula by their side and be able to rely on their services,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “With this legislation, we continue our commitments to the mothers of Illinois, and especially those on Medicaid, with better support and more resources available throughout their pregnancy.”

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.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Lakesia Collins held a Senate Revenue Subject Matter Hearing Wednesday to discuss Data Centers Investment Program support for minority-owned data centers.

“By hearing from local businesses we can learn what works and what will support them for a future in Illinois,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “We want to spur growth in the data center sector and create new jobs and opportunities for resident.”

Data centers in Illinois who are awarded grants through the Data Centers Investment Program spoke during the subject matter hearing. Data center owners and operators are provided with a tax credit of 20% of wages paid for construction workers for projects located in underserved areas.

SPRINGFIELD – To assist community members and homeowners, State Senator Lakesia Collins advanced a measure Wednesday to provide guidance to law enforcement that simplifies the process for removing criminal trespassers from a person's home.

“This will clarify the law and help communities better respond to unlawful trespassing,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Without clarity for law enforcement, oftentimes this issue resorts to eviction. This legislation gives appropriate guidance to ensure they can enforce criminal laws.”

This legislation responds to local squatters who snuck into a home while the owner was away. Law enforcement told the owner that they could not remove the squatters and that the homeowner would need to file an eviction.

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.

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 21^st birthdays or earlier.

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.

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.

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.