SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Omar Aquino led the passage of Senate Bill 2271, extending the licensing period for home health, home services and home nursing agencies from 120 to 240 days.

“Many people in my district depend on programs that offer in-home care for older residents, and folks with serious illnesses and disabilities,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “The need we have in Illinois for healthcare professionals that can support families with a loved one in need of in-home care should be addressed, and that’s what this bill does.”

Senate Bill 2271 makes professional licenses for home health, home services, and home nursing agencies valid for 240 days instead of 120 days. The legislation allows new agencies to receive a provisional license for up to 90 days, allowing them to offer services on demand for thousands of patients who require in-home critical care.

SPRINGFIELD – To assist military service members and immigrants in getting into the real estate industry, State Senator Javier Cervantes is leading a measure that will waive certain requirements for veterans and those without a social security number who are seeking a real estate license.

“We are removing the red tape on real estate licensing for veterans and immigrants wishing to continue their real estate career here in Illinois,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This will ensure that those who may feel left out of the market can find licensing opportunities and continue to practice their profession.”

Senate Bill 1866 creates the Real Estate Omnibus, which will remove barriers faced by veterans and Immigrants who are trying to obtain licensing for real estate.

Under this measure, veterans will have all continuing education requirements waived upon seeking reactivation of their real estate license within two years after their time in service. This will also waive requirements for Social Security Numbers and will allow those with individual Taxpayer ID Numbers to apply for a license in real estate or as community association managers, auctioneers, or home inspectors.

Under the Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board, those who are seeking auctioneer licenses and have attended courses in this area will also be accepted for licensure.

“Many folks are running into barriers that will not let them enter a career in real estate due to their military status or their immigration status,” Cervantes said. “This legislation removes these barriers and gives our residents more agency over their career in real estate.”

Senate Bill 1866 passed the Senate on Thursday and will now head to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci advanced a measure out of the Senate on Thursday that would ensure fairness in the tax collection process.

“This legislation ensures that property owners are not penalized for mistakes that were not their own and are out of their control,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “Property owners should not have to face excess financial burdens because of the errors made by others.”

This measure would waive the interest penalty for delinquent property taxes if the property owner does not receive a tax bill because it was mailed to the wrong address or e-mailed to the incorrect address, and if the mistake was not the fault of the property owner.

SPRINGFIELD – Veteran- and minority-owned business may soon receive preference in the sale of transferable property thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman.

“Oftentimes, former state property can become vacant eyesores in the community,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Extending a preference to veteran-owned businesses and minority-owned businesses concerning the allocation of state property is a great way to lift up those who have previously been left behind.”

Currently, when an administrator determines that property owned by the state will be sold, they must first offer it to municipalities, counties and school districts and to charitable, not-for-profit educational and public health organizations. Ellman’s measure would add veteran-and minority-owned businesses to the list of entities that receive preferential status.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters’ measure broadening the civil liberties of individuals on probation passed the Senate Thursday.

“Individuals sentenced to probation are under vigilant supervision at any given time,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Conditions of probation should not include restrictions that prevent a person from readjusting back into modern society.”

Senate Bill 1886 provides that if a court orders testing for cannabis or alcohol, a statement detailing the relation between the condition of probation and the crime must be provided. Under the measure, individuals on probation will not be charged for costs associated with mandatory testing.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy passed a measure through the Senate that would ensure that Illinoisans in need of insulin have affordable access to the life-saving medicine by capping the price at $35.

“Too many lives have been lost because they could not afford the rising costs of insulin,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “No family should need to choose between purchasing medication or putting food on their table.”

In addition to capping the price of insulin, Murphy’s measure would require the Department of Public Health to establish an insulin discount program. The program would allow participants to purchase insulin at a discounted rate.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura passed a measure through the Senate Thursday to expand science education in elementary schools.

“Creating human-centered education in science helps individuals to understand their bodies fully but also creates connections to other sciences potentially creating a strong interest and understanding,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We must empower kids to learn more about the human body and how it relates to higher sciences.”

Ventura’s measure would create the Science in Elementary Schools Working Group. The group, created by the Illinois State Board of Education, would add new science curriculum on topics such as anatomy, physiology, and nutrition. The expanded education would also help students understand their own bodies and care for their health and well-being throughout their lives.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced legislation from the Senate on Thursday to expand protections for service and companion animal in Illinois.

“This legislation is necessary to ensure companion and working animals will have protections in place if need be,” Villa said (D-West Chicago). “Animal cruelty is a harsh reality that happens far too often. Adding these additional safeguards will protect animals across the state.”

Senate Bill 1499, which makes changes to the Humane Care for Animals Act, allows a law enforcement officer to legally take possession of the companion animal of someone arrested who strikes, harms, injures, tampers with or kills police animals, service dogs, detection dogs or search and rescue dogs; poisons animals; or confines animals in a motor vehicle for a dangerous amount of time. Current law allows law enforcement to take possession of an animal only when making an arrest involving cruel treatment, aggravated cruelty, animal torture or animal entertainment.