SPRINGFIELD – To help the state tackle the ongoing behavioral health workforce shortage, a number of Illinois Senate Democrats announced the launch of a new center to help increase capacity to recruit, educate and retain professionals.

“As the Chair of the Behavioral and Mental Health Committee in the Senate, I understand the incredible input behavioral health specialists have on improving the mental health and well-being of so many Illinoisans,” said State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview). “The BHWEC will be a tremendous support to individuals working towards a career in behavioral and mental health. This will, in turn, address the needs of residents in our state.  I look forward to working with the BHWEC and other state organizations to support behavioral health care providers and increase our mental health workforce.”

At a press conference Wednesday, the Senators – alongside a number of other industry leaders – announced the creation of a new center that will combat critical shortages in the workforce by addressing barriers to recruitment and training, collecting data on behavioral health needs, increasing diversity in the workforce, and expanding the capacity of health care providers to meet behavioral health needs.

The center will coordinate with key state agencies involved in behavioral health, workforce development and higher education in order to leverage disparate resources from health care, workforce and economic development programs across the state.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio is leading the charge to streamline the administrative process for the Department of Revenue to grant sales tax exemption documentation for U.S. military purchases.

“This bill will lessen the administrative burden on the Department of Revenue, expedite purchases for military units in Illinois allowing them to focus on readiness, and encourage federal dollars into our state,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “It makes sense to streamline and modernize the process.”

Porfirio’s proposal – found within Senate Bill 1705 – would replace the need to request sales tax exemption certificates for military units.  Instead, when the payment is coming from the U.S. government, a military servicemember with a valid military ID would present documentation made available online by the Department of Revenue along with a form of payment where the military organization is the payer.

SPRINGFIELD – During Soil Health Week, State Senator Doris Turner joined agriculture advocates and stakeholders at a rally on Wednesday.

“From the food we eat to our economy, healthy soil benefits our daily lives,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I want to make sure our farmers are taken care of and our agriculture industry is protected.”

Soil Health Week is recognized in Illinois during the week of March 6-10. Soil is an essential natural resource, and Illinois farmers and professionals play a critical role in managing Illinois’ soil and water resources. Practices like zero tillage and using cover crops can improve soil health while reducing erosion, increasing water retention and enhancing biodiversity.

SPRINGFIELD – To promote public involvement and embody civic pride for Illinois, a measure sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner that would create a commission to develop a new official state flag passed the Senate State Government Committee Wednesday.

“Illinois is a diverse state made up of rural, urban and suburban communities known for its agriculture, strong workforce, home of Abraham Lincoln and more,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Our flag doesn’t show that. It’s time we have a flag that truly represents our state.”

Senate Bill 1818 would create the Illinois Flag Commission to develop new state flag designs. The commission would make recommendations to the General Assembly deciding whether the current state flag should be replaced with a redesigned state flag by Sept. 1. If they decide the flag should be replaced, the commission would report recommendations to the General Assembly by Dec. 3, 2024.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin and State Senator Neil Anderson announced the advancement of Senate Bill 1750, aimed at creating incentives to recruit much-needed emergency medical technicians in Illinois fire departments.

"EMTs are critical to the safety and wellbeing of our communities," said Halpin (D-Rock Island). "We hope to create incentives for individuals to pursue a career in emergency medical services and to help alleviate the shortage of EMTs in our fire departments. By reimbursing the mandatory training expenses for EMTs, we can make this career path more accessible and affordable for aspiring candidates and ensure that our fire departments have the necessary personnel to respond to emergencies."

The bill would require the board of trustees of a fire protection district to reimburse the mandatory training expenses of EMTs, EMT-Is, A-EMTs, or paramedics who are employed by or under contract with the district. The mandatory training expenses would be covered by a state funded program.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons presented legislation to the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee on Wednesday that would increase the availability and accessibility of mental health resources for students.

“Young people today are faced with unprecedented mental health challenges exacerbated by social media, toxic stress, and underlying trauma,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This legislation will help guide schools in initiating and establishing mental health infrastructure within schools that currently lack it. This also destigmatizes mental health support for youth, and provides access to mental health care and resources for students in a way that is practical and accessible - at their school, during the school day.” 

Senate Bill 1709 would require the Illinois Department of Human Services and the State Board of Education to provide technical assistance for mental health care during school days to help increase the access students have to mental health services and information. 

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Paul Faraci advanced a measure through the Senate State Government Committee to rename and expand the ABLE Account Program in honor of the late Senator Scott Bennett.

“Senator Bennett was a tireless advocate for individuals living with disabilities and their families,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “Renaming the ABLE Account Program in his honor is a fitting tribute to his legacy of service and commitment to improving the lives of those around him.”

The program, created and passed by Senator Scott Bennett during the 99th General Assembly, allows individuals with disabilities and their families to save money for expenses related to living with a disability without losing access to certain federal government assistance. Under Faraci’s legislation, the ABLE Account Program would be renamed to the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program.

SPRINGFIELD – A steadfast champion of Illinois laws to keep harmful tobacco products away from young people, State Senator Julie Morrison is expanding upon her work by leading a measure to ban e-cigarettes inside public places.

“A tobacco epidemic is continues in our state,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We have made great progress, but the surge of use of e-cigarettes has threatened that progress and lured more people toward a deadly addiction.”

Passed in 2007, the Smoke Free Illinois Act prohibited smoking in public and within 15 feet of entrances, and required “no smoking” signs to be posted on the prohibited public place. However, this law took effect when people primarily smoked cigarettes and cigars.

In recent years, the use of e-cigarettes – like vapes – has increased tremendously, leading Morrison to work to add such products to the Smoke Free Illinois Act through Senate Bill 1561.