CHICAGO – Employers can no longer discriminate based on hair, thanks to a measure led by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

The Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act was signed into law Wednesday by Governor JB Pritzker, which includes hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists to the Illinois Human Rights Act’s definition of “race”.

“So much of our identity has been wrapped into our hair, and the way we wear it has been judged for centuries,” Hunter said. “The CROWN Act shouldn’t have been necessary in the land of the ‘free’, but its implementation will protect people from petty discrimination.”

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CHICAGO – School districts will now have greater flexibility in contracting with food service providers, thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Ram Villivalam that was signed on Wednesday.

“Local school boards know what food options are best for students in their communities,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Our plan allows schools to contract with providers that share the same set of values as they do.”

President Harmon reacts to SCOTUS decision on Roe v. Wade

OAK PARK – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement today after the Supreme Court issued an opinion overturning Roe v. Wade:

“Today’s ruling is a distressing departure from five decades of precedent and a devastating blow to women around the country.

This decision turns the clock back to a time when women did not have autonomy over their own bodies and died trying to access health care.

Over the past few years, we took many steps in Illinois to affirm a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body.

As long as there is a Democratic majority in the Illinois State Senate, we will continue to protect those rights.”

Read more.

Castro plan to address wage theft in the construction industry signed by governor

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.”

Read more.

New Villa law protects nursing home residents in Illinois

WEST CHICAGO – In partnership with community members and other professionals on her Senior Advisory Committee, State Senator Karina Villa championed a new law to protect the dignity and rights of nursing home residents across Illinois and ensure they are afforded the highest quality of care.

“Many families struggle with the decision to placed loved ones in long-term care facilities,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “With everything that goes into this decision, families shouldn’t also have to worry about abuse or neglect.”

Read more.

Insulin-dependent diabetics will soon receive an easier way to track their blood sugar thanks to Morrison

CHICAGO – To give insulin-dependent diabetics a more effective way to manage their blood sugar levels, State Senator Julie Morrison championed a newly signed law to require insurance plans to cover continuous glucose monitors.

“This is a development in science that should be available to help people better regulate their diabetes,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Glucose monitoring systems should be covered the same as other medical equipment.”

Read more.

Sound of the State: Celebrating Pride Month

As we celebrate Pride Month, State Senators Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and Robert Peters (D-Chicago) highlight legislative initiatives and steps we can all take to help foster and create a culture that encourages Illinois’ LGBTQ+ communities to come together and celebrate the freedom to be themselves during this episode of the Sound of the State podcast.

Listen here.

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GLENVIEW – State Senator Laura Fine (D—Glenview) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade – depriving millions of women of their right to choose:

MAYWOOD - After the official decision by the United States Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement:

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is dehumanizing. It viciously attacks women and all people who can bear children, and it puts every single person’s right to privacy at risk.

“In Illinois, we made sure this dreadful day would not destroy the right to an abortion because we believe that people should be trusted to make their own health care choices.

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, removing the right to choose from millions of women.

"It is unbelievable that 50 years of precedence can disappear overnight due to the decisions of an incredibly conservative Supreme Court, which does not represent a majority of our country. Women who feel they have no other option but to have an abortion will resort to dangerous and deadly procedures that killed thousands of women before Roe v. Wade.

DES PLAINES –Following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, State Senator Laura Murphy (D—Des Plaines) released the following statement.

HIGHWOOD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after the nation’s top court overturned Roe v. Wade, stripping millions of women across the nation from their right to choose.

“Today’s decision by the nation’s top court is devastating – a woman’s right to choose what she does with her body should be a basic health care standard. By stripping women of that right, women are being told their rights don’t matter – despite it being 2022.