SPRINGFIELD – To ensure communities have a safe option to discard opioids and other prescription medication, State Senator Scott Bennett supported a new law to create a statewide disposal program.

“Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands,” said Bennett (D-Champaign). “Creating a statewide drug take-back programs provides options to safely dispose of prescription drugs as well as educate the public on the associated risks.”

While some counties in Illinois have already established similar programs, there is no statewide system in place to safely collect and dispose of medications, leaving some counties without a secure way to throw away these substances.

Springfield - A task force to investigate missing and murdered women in Chicago will be established after a measure supported by Senator Robert Peters was signed into law.

“For too long, the families of Black and Brown women have been left with no answers about the loss of their loved ones,” said Peters (D - Chicago). “Everyone, regardless of zip code, deserves justice, and every community deserves real public safety. This task force will help us provide justice for these families and provide guidance on how to address these cases.”

The new law creates the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women, which will examine and report on the systemic causes behind violence that Chicago women and girls experience.

SPRINGFIELD – Drivers with autism or other disabilities that impede effective communication will have better experiences during routine traffic stops, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest).

“A routine traffic stop sparks anxiety for anyone – now imagine you are a driver who has autism or another medical condition that makes processing social cues and responding to commands difficult,” Morrison said. “That can quickly lead to a stressful situation for both the driver and the police officer.”

Morrison’s law signed Friday will create the opportunity for drivers to disclose a medical condition or disability that could impede effective communication with a police officer.

“An important part of inclusive communities is overcoming barriers to communication, especially during potentially stressful interactions,” said Josh Evans, president/CEO of IARF, which represents disability service providers throughout Illinois. “This law is an important step toward inclusion for persons with disabilities and it is a reasonable accommodation to improve interactions with law enforcement to prevent the potential for an unnecessary or unintentional escalation.”

CHICAGO – Thanks to support from State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas, a law to protect restaurants, bars and retailers from having their brand used by third-party entities without permission was signed into law Friday. 

“Local businesses are the heart of our communities, and it’s imperative we protect them from practices carried out by third parties that may misrepresent them or lose them business,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “This issue came to my attention from a constituent who was taken advantage of by a third-party delivery service, and I am proud to see this law addressing their issue directly.”

The Fair Food & Retail Delivery Act prohibits a third-party delivery service from posting or advertising a menu or other trademarked property belonging to a restaurant or retailer without express written consent from the business.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – To prevent unused prescription drugs from falling into the wrong hands or polluting the environment, State Senator Ann Gillespie supported legislation that was signed into law on Friday that establishes a statewide drug take-back program.

“Proper disposal of prescription medication will curb the opioid epidemic and protect our environment,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “The safety of our children depends on the accessibility of secure take-back sites in every community.”

The Drug Take-Back Act requires pharmaceutical companies to establish take-back programs with collection sites in each of Illinois’ 102 counties and additional collection sites for every 50,000 county residents.

ELGIN – Construction workers who are not fairly compensated by subcontractors will soon be given an opportunity to collect unpaid wages, thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“Wage theft is a real problem, especially in the construction industry, which can have a complicated web of involved companies,” Castro said. “This law will provide a mechanism for the workers who have been slighted to receive their fair compensation and encourage primary contractors to employ reputable subcontractors.”

In a typical construction project, commercial property owners or developers will hire a primary contractor, also called a general contractor, to oversee a project. The general contractor will hire and coordinate with subcontractors, such as ones specializing in painting, window installation, electrical and more. Subcontractors employ their own workers to carry out their part of the project.

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview), pharmaceutical companies will now be required to establish a drug take-back program statewide, ensuring unused prescription drugs stay out of the hands of our children and our drinking water.

“Drug take-back programs are essential to keeping prescription medications out of the hands of our loved ones who could become addicted to these substances,” Senator Fine said. “In addition, these vital programs ensure prescription medications do not contaminate our environment.”

Many unused medicines are frequently flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink, causing harmful chemicals to end up in lakes, rivers, and groundwater, which can harm the ecosystem.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – To address gun violence as a public health crisis and increase coordination amongst state agencies, State Senator Ann Gillespie supported a gun violence prevention measure that was signed into law on Friday.

“Addressing gun violence as a public health crisis will allow state agencies, social service providers and partners in law enforcement to better coordinate to stop the violence,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights).

House Bill 4729 follows up on the governor’s Nov. 2021 Executive Order which classified gun violence as a public health crisis by creating statewide firearm storage and safety campaign through the Department of Public Health. The campaign will include the distribution of gun locks and safes through community-based organizations and partners with law enforcement to offer buyback programs. Currently, the cities of Evanston and Chicago host buyback programs with law enforcement and the City of Naperville operates a permanent take back program, which does not offer money in exchange for turning in firearms.