SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a measure out of committee that would allow individuals trafficked or exploited as minors more time to bring forth charges.

“The victims of crimes like these can take time to come forward because of trauma or other hardships,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Eliminating the time restriction would help ensure survivors can tell their story when they feel ready, not when the law says so.”

House Bill 2602 would extend the time limit for filing criminal charges in cases of forced labor, trafficking or related offenses by allowing charges to be brought at any time if the victim was under 18 years old when the crime occurred.

SPRINGFIELD – Nationally, an estimated $2.8 billion worth of medications are wasted annually. To provide Illinoisans with cheaper alternatives and transparency within the Illinois Drug Reuse Program, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen worked with State Representative Laura Faver Dias to bring House Bill 2346 to the Senate Public Health Committee.

“Medications can be ridiculously expensive, often leaving people to decide between rent, groceries or their life-saving medicine,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This bill is critical to helping our most vulnerable communities and improves a well-established program that has helped countless Illinoisans.”

House Bill 2346 aims to strengthen the effectiveness of the Illinois Drug Reuse Program by increasing transparency for consumers, expanding access to safe, unused medications, and helping reduce medication waste.

SPRINGFIELD – To meet the needs of defendants who have been determined to be unfit for trial languishing in county jails, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure Tuesday.

“As is, our justice system is unable to care for every individual living with mental health conditions who is unfit for trial which leads to people being sent to jail rather than receiving the treatment they need to undergo fair court proceedings,” said Villa (D-West Chicago).“Modeling best practices within the criminal justice system and focusing on effective rehabilitation efforts will result in better mental health outcomes for impacted individuals.”

House Bill 3572 would clarify standards to determine whether someone unfit to stand trial should be diverted to outpatient state mental health treatment programs.

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus condemns the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit to Springfield this week, viewing it as yet another attempt by this administration to instill fear within our Latino and immigrant communities. In response, the ILLC released the following statement:

“It is both sinister and cowardly that Noem would choose Latino Unity Day—a celebration of community advocacy—to undermine immigrant voices. This calculated move aims to fuel anxiety and polarization while exploiting our resilience for political gain.

“The federal administration’s troubling actions reflect a pattern of disrespect, particularly evident in allegations of detaining immigrants without due process. In Illinois, we stand firm in our commitment to protect immigrant communities under the Illinois TRUST Act, which limits local law enforcement's role in federal immigration enforcement.

SPRINGFIELD - During a busy legislative session day, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus put on their best sneakers with their usual session attire to demonstrate support for cancer patients and survivors throughout the state.

“This day is more than a symbolic gesture, it’s a reminder that cancer can touch every community, every family and every heart,” said State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign). “For members of the General Assembly, wearing sneakers with our professional attire highlights the importance of funding cancer research, promoting early detection and ensuring access to care for all. It’s a small step that speaks to a much larger cause, calling for continued awareness, advocacy and action.”

This is a tradition that is inspired by the Coaches vs. Cancer program, a joint initiative between the American Cancer Society and the NCAA to raise cancer awareness.  Additionally, this initiative coincides with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s Cancer Action Day, a key advocacy event dedicated to empowering those affected by cancer to raise their voices at the state Capitol.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Karina Villa led a measure through committee to crack down on landlords that may maliciously or ignorantly place a minor on an eviction action, resulting in negative consequences affecting a child’s future ability to rent.

“While eviction is traumatic for families in its own right, including a child in an eviction filing can negatively impact their lives for years to come,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Through no fault of their own, a minor’s record will reflect that eviction. Illinois must protect these innocent people from the careless actions of landlords.”

SPRINGFIELD – According to the Food Allergy Research & Education organization (FARE), 33 million Americans have a food allergy, with the most common allergies including milk, tree nuts, shellfish and peanuts. To increase the accessibility of epinephrine to help those having an allergic reaction, State Senator

Mary Edly-Allen worked with House Assistant Majority Leader Maurice West to bring House Bill 2462 to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

SPRINGFIELD – Ensuring middle school students receive equal opportunity to earn high school credits, State Senator Laura Ellman is sponsoring a measure to provide seventh- and eighth-grade students with the option to earn high school credit for high school level courses.

“Students statewide work diligently to achieve success in their academic careers,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “A middle school student, whose course is not taught by a teacher with a certain certification level, may not receive the necessary high school credits to enroll in the next level of their education.”

Under current Illinois law, middle school students are able to receive credit for high school level courses, as long as the course is offered by the high school in the student’s district and the instructor holds a professional educator license and is endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course.