Villanueva: We must protect patients from deceptive, misleading reproductive health

SPRINGFIELD – Taking another leap toward enshrining safe and secure access to reproductive health care, State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a measure to end deceptive and misleading practices at crisis pregnancy centers.

“There is a war on people’s ability to make informed decisions about their reproductive health care,” said State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Workers at crisis pregnancy centers should not be able to deceptively mislead women into making decisions that aren’t the best for them or their futures. When you go to the doctor and someone appears to be medical staff, you trust they are medical staff. You trust your ability to make autonomous, informed, evidence-based decisions. Reproductive health care should be no different.”

Read more.

 

Feigenholtz partners with new Behavioral Health Officer to remove barriers for children with behavioral and mental health challenges

SPRINGFIELD – Families of children with behavioral health challenges that require mental health assistance have faced multiple barriers when seeking mental health assistance.

Working alongside Dr. Dana Weiner, the governor’s newly appointed Children's Behavioral Health Officer, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz championed Senate Bill 724, which defines the Interagency Children’s Behavioral Health Services Act and lays out a roadmap to finally get children the help they need.

“The importance of this roadmap to appropriate treatment cannot be overstated,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “This work is transformative and will be a game changer for children's behavioral health in Illinois.”

Read more.

 

Belt initiative to tackle food deserts clears Senate

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure through the Senate to tackle the increasing number of food deserts in Illinois.

“People should be able to have easy access to healthy and affordable food at all times,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “By providing financial assistance to grocery stores, we can incentivize the establishment and expansion of stores in areas that are considered food deserts.”

Read more.

 

Chicago Elected Representative School Board Hearing Information

The Illinois State Senate has launched an online map making portal to encourage public participation in the creation of the new Chicago elected school board districts.

This is the start of a new and exciting era in community-led education to empower parents and loved ones to decide what is best for their children and loved ones.

Our caucus has convened a Special Committee on the Chicago Elected Representative School Board to conduct citywide hearings throughout April.

Here is the Special Committee on the Chicago Elected Representative School Board hearing schedule:

• April 12, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630
• April 13, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608
• April 17, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Virtual Hearing

We want to hear from you – click here to help identify communities of interest.

Residents may also view submissions from your neighbors – click here to view submissions.

 

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Cristina Castro, Elgin: Changes to Illinois community colleges’ credit transfer to help students graduate faster | WCIA

Senator Dave Koehler, Peoria: Illinois legislature works to outlaw ‘fertility fraud’ | WCIA

Senator Julie Morrison, Lake Forest: State senator aims to pass bill that would regulate explosive that was found in Highland Park shooter’s home | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

Senator Robert Peters, Chicago: Bill ending juvenile court fines, fees passes Senate vote | State Journal-Register

 

Copyright 2023 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved