SPRINGFIELD – With anxiety and stress increasing in schools, State Senator Rachel Ventura championed a new law aimed at easing the growing stress that students face in classrooms, prioritizing their physical and emotional well-being to enhance focus and reduce anxiety during school hours.

“Just as adults have a multitude of stressors, students also have the pressure to constantly and consistently perform above average. Our children deserve just a few minutes for themselves. Purposeful relaxation time will empower students to develop effective stress and anxiety management strategies,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “As both a parent and mental health advocate, I believe that allocating at least 20 minutes per week for students to unwind and prioritize their mental health will alleviate the constant pressure to engage in mental tasks, leading to improved academic performance.”

Senate Bill 2872 provides instruction for school districts on relaxation activities, such as mindful-based movements, yoga, stretching, meditation, breathing exercises, guided relaxation techniques, quiet time, walking, in-person conversation, and other stress-relieving activities, once a week for 20 minutes, in addition to recess, to enhance physical and emotional health.

SPRINGFIELD — A law sponsored by State Senator Ram Villivalam expands the list of documents an employee can request from their employer and the manner in which they can request them, to ensure workplace transparency.

“Continuing to support workers and their rights within the workplace is important,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “This law ensures there are continued improvements within the workplace that benefit those who need it.”

Villivalam’s law expands the list of documents an employee can request, which include documents used to determine qualification of employment, contracts that are legally binding to the employee, handbooks, and any written employer policies or procedures.

SPRINGFIELD – University and community college employees will receive their pay and benefits if a campus is closed due to a winter weather emergency, thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner.

“All employees within our higher education institutions play a vital role in the normal, day-to-day operations on campus,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “No one should go unpaid without notice. That’s why I led this initiative to ensure workers receive the pay and benefits they deserve.”

Senate Bill 331 requires the Board of Trustees of each public university and community college to pay employees their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits if a campus is closed due to a city, county or state declaration of a winter weather emergency. The law does not apply if the day is rescheduled and the employee would be paid their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits for the rescheduled day when services are rendered.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham’s measure to protect vehicle owners by updating towing regulations often abused by rogue towing companies was signed into law.

“We have residents getting a surprise $1,500 bill when all they’re trying to do is pick up a vehicle that was stolen from outside their residence,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This measure will stop towing companies from charging any storage fees on stolen vehicles and makes sure that a proper notification process is set up.”

SPRINGFIELD – To unify the policies and procedures in jails and prisons in Illinois keeping new and expectant mothers safe. State Senator Mary Edly-Allen worked alongside the Women’s Justice Institute (WJII) to introduce a new law, HB5431, providing comprehensive protections for committed pregnant people, including banning the use of restraints. As the number of incarcerated pregnant women has increased over the years, many of these pregnancies have been left without adequate support.

“This law aligns every jail and prison in Illinois to have safe policies and procedures when it comes to pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “I am proud to see Illinois strengthen protections and ensure these policies are equitably and humanly applied under this law.”

SPRINGFIELD — New laws from State Senator Celina Villanueva continue to support reproductive health care and ensure health care records are not being improperly disclosed.

“As we navigate the war on reproductive rights, preventative laws like this are essential in counteracting restrictive and overarching laws of other states,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “As a safe haven state, it is our responsibility to reinforce state-level protections where federal protections have failed us.”

Last year Villanueva led House Bill 4664 – a law to shield out-of-state patients and in-state providers from legal action originating from other states regarding abortions performed here.  To expand upon that measure and provide further protections, Villanueva championed House Bill 5239 this year.

SPRINGFIELD – Victims of hazing will have new and strengthened protections thanks to State Senator Steve Stadelman.

“Today marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to support and protect victims of crime,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “We are sending a clear message that consent obtained through duress, manipulation or an abuse of power will not be tolerated as a defense in our justice system. This law ensures that perpetrators cannot escape accountability by exploiting their victims.”

Stadelman’s new law mandates that consent from a victim does not absolve perpetrators from prosecution. This significant legislative change aims to reinforce the protections afforded to victims of crime and ensure justice is served.

“This legislation is about justice and fairness,” said Stadelman. “It acknowledges the complex dynamics at play in many criminal cases, especially those involving vulnerable populations. No one should feel powerless in the face of their abuser, and this law helps ensure that victims have the support and protection they deserve.”

Senate Bill 2934 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

SPRINGFIELD – In order to make medication more accessible to Illinoisans, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton’s new law prohibits pharmacists from refusing to fill a written prescription.

“Pharmacies must accept doctors’ prescriptions for approved medication regardless of how the prescription is sent to them,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Every Illinoisan deserves the right to their medication when they need it.”

In response to the opioid epidemic, Illinois passed a law in 2021 requiring prescriptions of controlled substance to be sent electronically. However, some pharmacists have been refusing to fill non-electronic prescriptions despite exceptions under the law. Glowiak Hilton’s new measure will clarify this process by prohibiting pharmacists from refusing to fill paper or non-electronic prescriptions.

“Denying someone of their medication could have serious medical consequences,” said Glowiak Hilton. “These are unnecessary barriers that must be addressed in our pharmacies to prevent potential harm.”

House Bill 4874 was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.