SPRINGFIELD – Men will be able to get annual prostate cancer screenings with no out-of-pocket cost thanks to a measure supported by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) that was signed into law Friday.

“Prostate cancer can be life-threatening,” Bennett said. “This new law will allow more men to access prostate cancer screening without barriers and ultimately save lives.”

The law, originally House Bill 5318, will require private insurers to provide all qualifying male policyholders with an annual prostate cancer screening upon the recommendations of a physician.

WAUKEGAN – To ensure communities have a safe option to discard opioids and other prescription medication, State Senator Adriane Johnson supported a new Illinois law to create a statewide disposal program.

“Prescription drug abuse is dangerous and hurting families in every corner of our state,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This new law will protect our children and help prevent individuals from forming addictions by creating an option for community members to dispose of prescription drugs.”

SPRINGFIELD - A measure supported by State Senator Robert Martwick to protect restaurants, bars and retailers from deceptive delivery services was signed into law.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “We have to ensure that restaurants and bars are able to support themselves and that outside delivery services do not take advantage of many of our most beloved restaurants and eateries.”

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to provide people with better options to discard opioids and other prescription medication, State Senator Patrick Joyce supported a law signed on Friday to create a statewide disposal program.

“Prescription drug abuse is dangerous, and many people can become addicted without even realizing it,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Establishing a statewide drug take-back program provides options to safely dispose of prescription drugs and helps educate the public on the associated risks.”

While some counties in Illinois have already established similar programs, there is no statewide system in place that safely collects and disposes of medications, leaving some counties without a secure way to dispose of prescription substances.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – A new Illinois law aims to protect restaurants, bars and retailers from deceitful delivery services with support from State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton.

“It’s not an honest business practice when delivery services can take advantage of local businesses without their knowledge or consent,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Restaurants and bars, particularly locally-owned businesses, should have the opportunity to decide whether or not to utilize delivery services.”

House Bill 3205, also known as the Fair Food and Retail Delivery Act, prohibits third party delivery companies from posting a menu, registered trademark or any intellectual property without the express written consent of restaurants, bars and retail establishments.

CHICAGO – A measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz will allow Chicago firefighters to add MRSA to the list of occupational disease disability benefits if they contract the infection on duty.

“In recent years, firefighters have seen increased staph infections, including MRSA,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Including MRSA on the list of covered protections for firefighters will aid in stopping the spread of the infection.”

The new law aligns Chicago firefighters with downstate firefighters by extending an occupational disease disability benefit to any active Chicago firefighter who has completed seven or more years of service and can’t perform their duties because of a contagious staph infection including MRSA.

Van Pelt announces elimination of DNA backlog

CHICAGO – For the first time since 2019, the number of sexual assault kits awaiting testing, also referred to as the DNA backlog, has been eliminated, announced State Senator Patricia Van Pelt.

After decades of extensive sexual assault forensic backlogs, the number of pending sexual assault forensic assignments older than 180 days, which was once more than 1,800, has reached zero.

“The reduction of this backlog has been a long time coming, and I am so glad that there are no more outstanding sexual assault kits,” said Van Pelt (D-Chicago). “Families have spent years waiting for some kind of answer — for some kind of accountability for their loved ones that have been lost — and today I am thinking of what this progress means for them.”

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Bush law provides time off for miscarriages

SPRINGFIELD – The burden of silence many people face when returning to the workplace almost immediately following the loss of a pregnancy can cause emotional upheaval. State Senator Melinda Bush passed a newly signed law to allow people to take leave following pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or other fertility issues.

“The emotional anguish suffered after a miscarriage or stillbirth is often debilitating,” said Bush (D-Grayslake). “Returning to work sooner than they’d like leaves little room for grief, mourning and healing.”

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Ellman, Yang Rohr designate dolostone as state rock

NAPERVILLE – Signed into law last week, legislation by State Senator Laura Ellman and State Representative Janet Yang Rohr on behalf of local students designates dolostone as Illinois’ official state rock.

“Students played a large part in the designation of our state tree and flower over a century ago, and once again they will play a large part in our state’s history through their work in designating dolostone as the state rock,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “These exceptional young people went above and beyond to take advantage of this great learning opportunity, and all the students and teachers involved have been true gems.”

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Sound of the State: Turner speaks on DCFS caseworker safety

In this week's episode of Sound of the State, Senator Doris Turner discusses efforts to strengthen DCFS caseworker safety and provide survivor benefits to dependents of employees who are killed on the job. Listen here.

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SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) championed a recently signed law to honor the families of our state’s fallen heroes with the presentation of an Illinois flag.

“Our country would not be where it is today without the sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform,” Turner said. “This law will help show the respect we have for the families that pay the ultimate sacrifice.”