SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison championed a measure signed Wednesday that will provide a more holistic approach to supporting the mental health of children within the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

“The COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of stress and trauma that contributed to skyrocketing rates of mental health problems among children – especially those within the foster care system,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It’s vital we tackle the alarming rates of mental health problems in ways that are less invasive by providing greater healing-centered care. I firmly believe that’s how you create sustainable, scalable change in the lives of children.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel spearheaded a measure to add a council within the Children’s Mental Health Partnership in Illinois that was signed into law Wednesday.

“Many parents of children with mental disabilities need to reach out to agencies for support or information,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Agencies that work with children with mental disabilities deserve the opportunity to collaborate, so that the process is more accessible to parents.” 

CHICAGO – An avid supporter of uplifting the diverse cultures within Illinois, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas was recently appointed to the State-Designated Cultural Districts Advisory Committee.

“Illinois is home to hundreds of different communities with unique, distinct cultures,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “I am excited to serve on this committee as a voice of the people who will now have an opportunity to receive tangible recognition at the state level through designated cultural districts.”

The committee was created under a law sponsored in the Senate by Senator Pacione-Zayas, which allows the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish the necessary criteria and guidelines for designating such cultural districts. Five such districts can be designated per year, up to a total of 15.

“These designations are a way for our communities to proudly reflect the identity, contributions and history of the people who have helped shape them,” said Pacione-Zayas on the law that was signed last year. “This law gives Illinois communities the chance to pursue community-driven economic opportunity initiatives that ensure our neighborhoods preserve their unique cultures and continue to build legacies.”

Her appointment to the committee is effective immediately and expires on Jan. 11, 2023.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie was appointed to the State Housing Task Force on Wednesday by Senate President Don Harmon.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to build on the work we’ve done for affordable housing the past few years,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “The lack of access to reasonably-priced units was exacerbated by the pandemic, and we must do all we can to build a more fair and equitable housing market for working families.”

The appointment furthers Senator Gillespie’s commitment to creating long-term solutions for affordable housing across the state. Last year Gillespie passed an affordable housing package that creates incentives in the housing market to create and rehabilitate affordable units, enforces the mandatory affordable housing plan for cities with more than 1,000 residents and changes the way the Cook County Assessor calculates the tax liability for affordable housing complexes.

The State Housing Task Force is led by the Illinois Housing Development Authority and consists of representatives from the Governor’s Office, Lieutenant Governor’s Office, the General Assembly, housing experts and several state agencies.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is celebrating the reappointment of Dr. Gina Lathan, a prominent Springfield native, to the Springfield High Speed Railroad Community Advisory Commission.

“Gina is a valued member of our community. Her voice is much needed on this commission,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “I am happy to see her reappointment, and I know she will work to ensure the high speed rail program best represents the community.”

Lathan has over 25 years of experience as a senior administrator in the public sector and as an entrepreneur with expertise in public health, social justice and community capacity development. Lathan has served in several advisory roles on local and international travel and tourism committees and projects. Her learned experiences living close to the rails will provide a valuable voice for the community.

The Springfield High Speed Railroad Community Advisory Commission was created to help increase transparency for the community and ensure a diverse set of voices is heard from during this significant project. The greater high speed rail project in Illinois seeks to connect Chicago and St. Louis in just over two hours. Springfield to Chicago would take under 80 minutes.

“This project will revolutionize the city of Springfield and the surrounding communities,” Turner said. “Gina’s reappointment to the commission will ensure transparency for the entire project.”

The commission will continue their work through 2026.

WAUKEGAN – State Senator Adriane Johnson was appointed to serve on the Military Economic Development Committee by Senate President Don Harmon on Tuesday.

“To protect residents and working families, military operations in Illinois must be sound,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Improving the business climate, ensuring bases are fully equipped and offering assistance to service members and their families will create a strong military presence throughout the state.”

The Military Economic Development Committee organizes Illinois’ efforts to preserve, protect, expand, and attract new military missions, assets, and installations. Members also explore ways to encourage defense-related businesses to expand or relocate, identify trends and support long-term viability within the state.

“I look forward to my responsibilities as a member of the Military Economic Development Committee,” Johnson said.

The committee makes recommendations to enhance Illinois’ military presence to the governor, General Assembly, congressional delegation, and other government officials.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt was appointed to the Nonprofit Electric Generation Task Force to continue his support for the Prairie State Generation Campus.

“I have been a longstanding champion of bringing clean energy to the Metro East and am honored to have the opportunity to continue to advocate for a cleaner community,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “As a member of the Energy and Public Utilities Committee, I am proud to show my support for the coal plant that gives thousands of residents electricity."

CHICAGO – State Senators Ram Villivalam and Robert Peters celebrated the signing of two new laws Monday that will protect Illinoisans with disabilities from housing discrimination and make state government more accessible to the community.

House Bill 2775, sponsored by Villivalam (D-Chicago), adds “source of income” to the Illinois Human Rights Act's protections against discrimination in real estate transactions, making it a civil rights violation to refuse to consider an individual for housing solely based on their source of income. To comply with the law, housing providers are required to treat each applicant the same during their evaluation and screening process.