SPRINGFIELD – A measure to simplify the process for use of a county recorder’s official seal passed the Illinois Senate Wednesday, under the leadership of Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

Sen. Holmes introduced Senate Bill 3187 to streamline the recording process to establish a stamped or electronic version of the county seal satisfies the signature requirement for record instruments.

“The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Reporters approached me about clarifying this issue after a Sangamon County Recorder’s office customer believed the printed name of the Recorder should be considered a signature,” Holmes said. “In any case where there is doubt as to whether a printed Recorder’s name is legal, this clearly states the recorded document is legal.”

SPRINGFIELD - In an effort to empower students and provide them with greater access to the resources they need, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) initiated and passed a measure, Senate Bill 4028, that will require Illinois elementary and high schools to discuss how and where to find access to mental health treatment.

“Our children have been through constant stress the last two years,” said Simmons. “Their sacrifices from the pandemic have exacerbated the growing mental health crisis among our state’s youth.”

The measure also will create a Student Mental Health Council that will include 6 youth from across Illinois, and 3 community-based mental health providers, including one that will be LGBTQ-led, one led by a person of color, and one woman-led, bringing underrepresented communities to the table to evaluate gaps in existing mental health services and to recommend systemic improvements so our youth feel empowered and supported by mental health providers.

DES PLAINES –State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced that her Des Plaines office is moving on March 1.

Senator Murphy’s new district office address is 1645 S. River Rd., Suite 7, Des Plaines, IL 60018. You may also reach her office by calling 847-718-1110, or online at http://senatorlauramurphy.com/contact-us.

“Senate district offices typically assist constituents with state-related programs, such as unemployment insurance, SNAP benefits, and child support,” Murphy said. “I hope people in my community will take advantage of these resources at our new office location.”

SPRINGFIELD –Action sponsored by State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) that protects the rights of workers moved out of the Senate Friday.

“Current law does not accurately reflect the working habits of our society, which is why this measure is so critical,” Villanueva said. “Having clear, strong labor laws is one of the most important ways we prevent the exploitation of workers whose contributions allow our communities to prosper.”

Senate Bill 3146 updates the One Day Rest in Seven Act, which entitles workers to a 24-hour period of rest in a work week. The updated language will further define a work week and add provisions regarding breaks during a shift lasting more than 7.5 hours. Senator Villanueva’s measure will also increase the cost of the civil offenses, making the maximum $500 for employers with more than 25 employees. Smaller businesses will receive adjusted penalties to reflect the difference in workforce size, making the maximum $250 for employers with fewer than 25 employees.

SPRINGFIELD – More than a dozen athletes from Illinois represented the United States at the recent Winter Olympics. To honor their accomplishments, the Illinois Senate passed a resolution Friday.

“I am proud of all the winter Olympians from Illinois,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park).

Fourteen of the 220 athletes who were on team USA were from Illinois, and they competed in figure skating, hockey, ski jumping and speed skating.

“The hard work and motivation the Olympians have is admirable. We all watched anxiously and cheered you on as you lived out your dreams to compete as one of the country’s top athletes,” said State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “To our fellow athletes who represented our great nation at the winter games – you made your home state extremely proud.”

SPRINGFIELD – Leading legislation to give survivors of abuse more comfort and accessibility filing a protective order, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) hosted a press conference Wednesday to bring more awareness to the ongoing issues survivors face.  

“The weight of trauma a survivor carries becomes detrimental as they struggle to cope with grief and take the steps necessary to begin to heal,” Stadelman said. “By giving survivors the opportunity to file for protective orders at their own pace in the safety of their own home, we are giving them the keys to move forward.”

Stadelman’s measure would give people the option to file a protective order either online or in-person. The measure would also require any court in a county with a population above 250,000 to offer the option of a remote hearing to the petitioner for a protective order.

SPRINGFIELD - In an effort to support seniors and provide them with greater access to the resources they rely on, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) initiated a measure that will create the Senior Housing Residents' Advisory Council.

“Our seniors have been through a lot the past couple of years,” said Simmons. We owe them a dignified and comfortable living, and this measure will bring together seniors from across Illinois to lift up some of these common systemic issues that they deal with so we can find improvements in how we deliver services to seniors, how we outreach to seniors, and how we make our state more livable for the seniors who have done so much for us.”

Senate Bill 702 would create the Senior Housing Residents' Advisory Council to evaluate available resources, services, and state outreach for seniors and review the impact of COVID-19 on senior living arrangements. The council will meet quarterly and comprised of a bi-partisan appointees including two seniors who reside in affordable senior housing developments, and two seniors who reside in assisted living facilities.

SPRINGFIELD – Community members and professionals on State Senator Karina Villa’s (D-West Chicago) Senior Advisory Committee are making strides on a measure that would ensure nursing home residents are treated with courtesy and are able to maintain their human and civil rights while receiving medical care. 

“It is essential that we, as a community, support nursing home residents, who are among one of our most vulnerable populations,” Villa said. “Families should have full confidence in the facility and their staff to perform the best medical practices and be courteous of the patient’s wishes.”

Villa’s legislation would prohibit nursing home residents from performing labor for the facility unless it is for documented therapeutic or medical purposes. It also ensures timely delivery of basic needs for residents. 

This initiative provides nursing home residents the right to courteous treatment, the right to protection and the right to advocacy services. It outlines a grievance procedure for residents and protects them through the process of expressing grievances. This measure will make residents and their advocates better aware of their rights in the home and ensure that they are protected in executing their rights,  

“It is already stressful enough to make the decision to put a loved one in a nursing home. They should not have to worry about facilities taking proper care of their family members,” said Villa. “My hope is that under this measure, there will be improved accessibility to ensure residents are treated with dignity and respect at all times.”

This legislation was in partnership with my senior advisory committee. “The committee is filled with seniors living in the community and a community member who voiced her experiences in a long term care facility where she was neglected,” said Villa.

Senate Bill 1633 passed the Senate and now heads to the House for further consideration.

Senator Villa is a strong promoter of the senior community. She hosts a monthly Senior Advisory Committee on the second Friday of each month at 10 a.m. via Zoom. To receive the link and agenda contact Villa’s office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..