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New Holmes law overhauls child abuse reporting from psychiatric hospitals

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Category: Senator Linda Holmes News
Monday, July 15, 2019 03:59 AM
  • Holmes
  • HB831

Sen. Linda Holmes

SPRINGFIELD – After an October report from ProPublica revealed allegations of abuse and neglect of children at the Aurora Chicago Lakeshore Hospital, concerns were heightened about coordination between the Department of Children and Family Services and other state agencies.

State Senator Linda Holmes’ (D-Aurora) House Bill 831 requires better reporting to rectify those cases by requiring DCFS to notify the Director of Public Health and the Director of Healthcare and Family Services when they occur. Gov. JB Pritzker signed the bill into law today.

“After DCFS found neglect and sexual abuse by staff, as well as failure to provide a safe environment and monitor these children’s care and medication at this psychiatric hospital, it became obvious more oversight is needed to prevent this from happening,” Holmes said. “Federal and state investigations have revealed these tragedies and we must do everything we can to stop it.”

The Department of Public Health inspects and licenses hospitals, including psychiatric hospitals where children in need of that care reside. DPH has the authority to revoke, deny or suspend a hospital’s license. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is responsible for providing healthcare coverage for adults and children who qualify for Medicaid, which covers many children in these hospitals’ care.

Read more: New Holmes law overhauls child abuse reporting from psychiatric hospitals

Morrison law to require better preparation to treat students with epilepsy

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Category: Senator Julie A. Morrison News
Friday, July 12, 2019 10:48 AM
  • Morrison
  • HB1475
  • Epilepsy

Sen. Julie A. Morrison

SPRINGFIELD – Students with epilepsy will be better protected at school under a new law signed today by Gov. JB Pritzker and sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield).

“Nationwide, 470,000 children are affected by epilepsy. As children spend a large part of their day in the classroom, it is imperative schools are prepared to handle the unique set of health care needs of these students,” Morrison said.

Morrison’s new law – contained in House Bill 1475 – creates the Seizure Smart School Act, which would require the development of a plan for students with epilepsy that includes training for employees and care aides on how to handle students with the disorder.

Read more: Morrison law to require better preparation to treat students with epilepsy

Bertino-Tarrant’s new law ensures reliable and experienced teachers in Illinois’ classrooms

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Category: Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant News
Friday, July 12, 2019 10:45 AM
  • Education
  • Bertino-Tarrant
  • HB1472
  • Teacher Shortage

Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant

PLAINFIELD – Illinois now has a new law in place to help address the teacher shortage by allowing retired teachers to return to the classroom without coming out of retirement, thanks to Illinois Senate Education Chair Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood).

Bertino-Tarrant’s championed House Bill 1472, which addresses findings that 89 percent of Central Illinois districts and 92 percent of Southern Illinois districts have issues with staffing teaching positions with qualified candidates. The law was signed on Friday.

“Our retired teachers should not be penalized for returning to classrooms to help our school districts meet their needs,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “We want teachers in our classrooms with experience in the profession to help ensure our children are receiving a strong education.”

Read more: Bertino-Tarrant’s new law ensures reliable and experienced teachers in Illinois’ classrooms

Holmes excited for tech development in Aurora

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Category: Senator Linda Holmes News
Friday, July 12, 2019 04:19 AM
  • Slideshow
  • Holmes
  • Business
  • Employment
  • Technology
  • Aurora

Sen. Linda Holmes and Governor JB Pritzker

Aurora, Ill. – State Senator Linda Holmes joined Gov. JB Pritzker and local officials in Aurora Thursday to launch the 605 Innovation District and bring greater business and technology development to the city. Holmes released the following statement to recognize the investment in technology and jobs for Aurora:

“Gov. Pritzker is such a champion of innovation and I welcome him to Aurora to recognize the great opportunity that Bureau Gravity is bringing here. This has been Jimi Allen’s dream for years, we spoke of it often when we were office neighbors. I’m honored to be here to celebrate his awesome achievement.

“This will have a tremendous impact on our opportunities to attract innovative employers and grow our well-trained workforce in the region. Along with our state’s investments in our area infrastructure to help manage our community’s ongoing growth, I think we can anticipate a bright future.”

Crowe’s event educated seniors on fraud and identity theft prevention

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Category: Senator Rachelle Crowe News
Friday, July 12, 2019 04:14 AM
  • Crowe
  • Seniors
  • Identity Theft

Identity theft

CASEYVILLE – As technology evolves and scammers find new ways to target the older population, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) reminded people of the many ways in which they should protect themselves during the seminar for seniors she hosted Wednesday.

“Scammers are getting more and more creative over the phone and internet, and are targeting elders’ wallets,” Crowe said. “I wouldn’t be doing my job if I wasn’t trying my best to provide seniors with the skills to fight back.”

The event was free and open to the public at the Caseyville Public Library on Wednesday. The Attorney General’s Office and State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) co-hosted the event with Crowe.

Read more: Crowe’s event educated seniors on fraud and identity theft prevention

Bush job fair brings more than 100 jobseekers

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Category: Senator Melinda Bush News
Friday, July 12, 2019 04:07 AM
  • Bush
  • Employment

6th Annual Round Lake Area Job Fair at Magee Middle School in Round Lake

State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) held her 6th Annual Round Lake Area Job Fair at Magee Middle School in Round Lake.

The more than 100 jobseekers who attended had the opportunity to meet with 50+ employers from diverse industries, including Amazon, College of Lake County, United States Postal Service, Pharma Logistics, Illinois State Police, Marriott Hotels, Six Flags, and many more.

Individuals who are looking for a job but weren’t able to make this week’s job fair are invited to attend Senator Bush’s 7th Annual Zion Job Fair on Wednesday, August 21. Click here to register for the Zion Job Fair.

Route 24 expansion improvements included in capital infrastructure plan

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Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Thursday, July 11, 2019 07:44 AM
  • Koehler
  • Infrastructure
  • Rebuild Illinois

Sen. Dave Koehler

PEORIA – Assistant Majority Leader Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) joined House Deputy Majority Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth and Gov. JB Pritzker to tout Peoria area projects included in the Rebuild Illinois infrastructure plan passed by the General Assembly this spring.

“One of the biggest complaints I hear about from my constituents is the condition of our roads,” Koehler said. “This plan will change that.”

The $45 billion plan includes several projects specific to the Peoria area, including:

  • $114 million for Phase I of a Route 24 expansion, expanding the highway to four lanes and replacing bridges between Kingston Mines and Banner
  • $48.6 million for road resurfacing and major bridge work for I-474
  • $41.9 million for road resurfacing and bridge work on I-74 between Peoria and Brimfield
  • $39.9 million for the Cedar Street bridge extension
  • $35 million for the Murray Baker bridge rehabilitation
  • $18.7 million to replace the Harmon Highway bridge over Kickapoo Creek

Read more: Route 24 expansion improvements included in capital infrastructure plan

Tom Cullerton works to eliminate Franchise Tax

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Category: Senator Tom Cullerton News
Wednesday, July 10, 2019 06:40 AM
  • Business
  • T.Cullerton
  • Taxes

Sen. Tom Cullerton

VILLA PARK – Over the next five years, businesses will gradually cease to pay the archaic franchise tax under legislation championed by State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park).

“As a state it is our duty to adopt policies that encourage economic growth and development,” Cullerton said. “The elimination of this convoluted tax will encourage business owners to expand and grow in our communities.”

Created in 1872, the corporate franchise tax is a tax on “paid in capital” for the privilege of doing business in Illinois. Last year, 346,000 companies paid about $172 million in taxes. After Illinois’ franchise tax is eliminated, only seven states in the nation will still impose a similar tax.

“Taxing businesses sends the wrong message,” Cullerton said. “Business owners should not be penalized for doing businesses in Illinois.”

Read more: Tom Cullerton works to eliminate Franchise Tax

More Articles ...

  1. Crowe supports legislation increasing line-of-duty death benefits
  2. Senator Suzy champions Blue Collar Jobs Act
  3. Morrison announces $61 million for overhaul of Lake Bluff interchange
  4. Bennett applauds funding for building safety, educational programs at University of Illinois

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