Fine: New 9-8-8 suicide helpline now live

GLENVIEW – The new 9-8-8 crisis line for mental health and substance use emergencies launched Saturday. This new helpline will provide people in a mental health crisis with necessary support.

“The past two years have been an overwhelming time for many Illinoisans, and some feel like they are struggling alone,” said Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview). “9-8-8 is an expanded resource to assist people experiencing mental health issues. I encourage anyone feeling anxious or depressed to dial 9-8-8 for local support, because a caring voice or a listening ear can make all the difference during times of stress.”

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Cunningham, Hurley propose legislation to curb CPD's canceled day-off policy

CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham and State Representative Fran Hurley introduced legislation to legally require the city of Chicago to give police officers a minimum of one day off each week. The proposal is designed to end the city’s practice of routinely canceling officer’s regularly-scheduled days off to make up for chronic staffing shortages.

“Canceling days off might make sense on a temporary basis during an emergency situation, but it has become a routine staffing policy for CPD and part of misguided crime-fighting strategy,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “It is not only grossly unfair to officers and their families, it produces a fatigued and burned out police force that is less effective at fighting crime.”

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Morrison visits Washington in an effort to combat gun violence at the national level

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the Fourth of July, State Senator Julie Morrison and hundreds of Highland Park residents ran for their lives as a gunman opened fire on a 4th of July parade, killing seven and wounding dozens of others.

“As days have passed, each of us in the community have felt pain. In a town of about 30,000 people, almost everyone knows someone who has been affected,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “No matter where you go in the city, you’re reminded of the tragic loss of life. Our town is now on the map with Buffalo, Uvalde and so many other towns across this nation that have been stricken by heinous gun violence in recent months.”

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Sound of the State: Relief for Illinois families

State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) discusses relief coming to Illinois families, including the upcoming back-to-school sales tax holiday, in this episode of the Sound of the State.

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