Caucus News

Halpin measure to keep track of Illinois student loan market signed into law

SPRINGFIELD — In the face of higher student debt for many in Illinois and across the country, State Senator Mike Halpin’s measure to keep track of the private student loan borrowing market has been signed into law.

“Student loans present a critical burden to students, graduates and their families,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “We need to keep track of the private student loan market in Illinois to get a sense of exactly how large that burden is and what the state needs to do to mitigate those effects.”

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Turner law to ensure people know about prescription recalls

SPRINGFIELD — People in Illinois will soon have a quicker way to know whether their medications have been recalled thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner.

“People need to be up-to-date on what’s happening with their medications, especially for our seniors,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “I heard from a number of constituents who were unaware of recalls on their prescriptions, and it is clear that we need an avenue for people to instantly find answers on medications they take.”

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Sims law protects incarcerated individuals' connections with family, loved ones

SPRINGFIELD — A measure led by State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. that was signed into law creates financial guardrails to ensure the criminal justice system supports family connections instead of restricting them.

“Mail correspondence is a vital – and often cost-effective – lifeline,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “When families already spend thousands just to stay in touch with an incarcerated loved one, they shouldn’t face yet another cost barrier to staying connected.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham’s measure to help law enforcement agencies recruit and retain qualified deputy sheriffs has become law.

“As we face a shortage of police officers in our state, we have formed a program to help foster groups of young people into qualified public servants,” said Cunningham a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This will not only help address the shortage but also ensure that our future police officers are ones our communities can count on for their safety.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mike Porfirio’s measure to continue studying mental health treatments to address the nationwide veteran suicide crisis has been signed into law.

“The studies and outcomes produced by this council have been extremely promising. They are saving real lives,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “We must continue to fight against veteran suicide as a national crisis, and this law keeps Illinois at the forefront of that fight.”

Porfirio’s law continues the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Advisory Council and places the council under the Illinois Department of Public Health.

CHICAGO — Freed and exonerated Illinoisans joined State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. and State Representative Justin Slaughter at a press conference Tuesday to celebrate a newly signed law creating a clearer path to financial relief for people who have been wrongfully incarcerated in Illinois.

“Today marks a change in how the state of Illinois sees and responds to the injustice of a wrongful incarceration,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “When the system gets it wrong, it’s on us as leaders to step up and make it right. This law goes beyond compensation to provide a path toward justice.”

SPRINGFIELD – Children in play-based learning environments show stronger language skills, cognitive and social development than their peers in more challenging academic settings, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a finding that is driving new efforts in Illinois to strengthen early education. State Senator Mary Edly-Allen advanced House Bill 4577 to reinforce those practices in classrooms across the state.

“By clearly defining play-based learning, we are giving educators the tools they need to create classrooms where children can explore, grow and build the foundational skills that set them up for long-term success,” said Edly-Allen (D- Grayslake). “As an educator and parent, I have seen firsthand how powerful play can be in helping children develop confidence, curiosity and a love of learning.”

SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam led a new law streamlining implementation of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act.

“The Northern Transit Authority Act is a historic, transformative law securing the future of world-class public transit in Illinois, but it is imperative that we continue to work and ensure streamlined implementation throughout the transition process,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago).

SPRINGFIELD – Non-profits in Illinois will have new investment opportunities, thanks to a new law from State Senator Adriane Johnson.

“Illinois-based non-profits should have the same high-quality investment opportunities as government entities,” said State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Greater investment opportunities means food pantries will have the resources to provide more food, homeless shelters can provide more beds, health care providers can offer more services to those in need and legal aid centers can assist more Illinoisans who have limited resources to address their legal needs.”

Senate Bill 2968 authorizes the State Treasurer to create a non-profit investment pool and an electronic payment-processing program to supplement and enhance investment opportunities for 501(c) non-profit organizations located in Illinois. The Non-Profit Investment Pool will provide hundreds of non-profits across the State the opportunity for safe, liquid, and competitive investments.

SPRINGFIELD – As private-equity backed hospital systems increasingly threaten access to care, a new law spearheaded by State Senator Omar Aquino will provide meaningful oversight of hospital ownership changes and services discontinuations.

“Across the country, we have seen it time and time again: private equity firms buying hospitals, slashing services, laying off health care workers or shuttering the facility all together,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “When hospitals are treated as financial assets, it poses a serious risk to our state’s health care infrastructure. With this law, Illinois is stepping in to provide stronger oversight and safeguard access to services our communities depend on.”