LOCKPORT – A new law signed Thursday that was championed by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) will address a looming water crisis in the Joliet region and ensure a clean and reliable water source for years to come.

“Without reliable, clean water, our communities are crippled,” Connor said. “Finding a new water source before 2030 isn’t optional—we have to act now for ourselves, and in the interest of future generations.”

The underground Cambrian-Ordovician sandstone aquifer system is the primary source of water for the Joliet, Romeoville, Shorewood, Lockport, Lemont, Channahon, Elwood, and Minooka communities. An assessment by the city of Joliet revealed that the aquifer is being depleted at twice its natural recharge rate, and is expected to be fully depleted in 2030.

Connor’s law, ran as Senate Bill 280, offers a solution to the communities. The new law establishes the Regional Water Commissions Act, which would allow municipalities to form a regional commission to build, own, and operate a water system. This water commission will be able to build and operate a 31-mile pipeline to the city of Chicago water system, providing a connection to Lake Michigan water for the community.

The pipeline will bring clean and sustainable water to the region, as well as thousands of construction jobs.

“Big problems call for bold, innovative solutions,” Connor said. “This law will allow our community to proactively respond to, and ultimately prevent, an impending crisis.”

The law is effective immediately.

CHICAGO – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) accepted the James Brodie Excellence in Legislation award at the Illinois Security Professionals Association’s 60th Annual Awards and Honors Gala on Tuesday.

“Everyone who carries a gun as part of their job should be properly trained — it helps protect them and helps protect our families and communities,” Connor said. “I am both honored and humbled to have received this recognition, and I am proud to join the Illinois Security Professionals Association in their mission to increase professionalism, knowledge and expertise of those involved in security.”

The award comes in response to Connor’s legislation to prevent potentially fatal accidents by increasing training requirements for private detectives and private security guards who want to carry firearms.

Existing law required security guards to complete 40 hours of basic training to be licensed as private security contractors. Guards employed by corporations were able to carry weapons without completing the required training if the corporation they work for employs five or less armed guards. The new law requires all armed employees to complete the training and creates even more stringent training requirements for private detectives and private security contractors.

“ISPA is delighted to present Sen. Connor with this award in appreciation for his efforts to help keep our communities safe,” said Ernie Kuhnke, President of the Illinois Security Professionals Association.

The ISPA has been an advocate for security professionals in Illinois since 1961. To learn more about the association or get involved, visit their website.

SPRINGFIELD – Starting Jan. 1, students who wish to attend an Illinois public college or university will no longer be required to submit ACT and SAT scores when applying, thanks to a law championed by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).

“Standardized test scores do not showcase a student’s ability,” Belt said. “Students struggle each year to do well on ACT and SAT tests. Removing this requirement will help test-anxious students get into college.”

SPRINGFIELD – Following a decades-long fight to protect expecting mothers, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) is proud of the advancements signed into law Tuesday that will set standards for qualifications and certifications of midwives. 

“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of safe home births, and midwives play a critical role in guaranteeing that mothers and babies are safe at all stages of pregnancy,” Villa said. “Pregnancy is a long, physically and mentally demanding process, and our mothers deserve the highest level of care that our providers can offer.”

Certified professional midwives without nursing degrees were previously not recognized as health care professionals who can assist with home births. More than 30 states recognize CPMs without additional degrees, but Illinois only recognized the professionals with advanced-practice registered nurse status. The new law ensures pregnant women have access to competent health care providers before, during and after pregnancy.

This landmark legislation creates the Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act, which contains education, training and experience requirements for midwives. These requirements allow midwives without nursing degrees to gain meaningful instruction so they can provide the best care possible to women in need of their services.

CHICAGO – A measure to lay out qualification and education requirements to allow for certified midwives in Illinois was signed into law Tuesday. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) sponsored the new law, which has been in the works for decades.

“The demand for home birth services has been on the rise, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, and this law will help ensure that mothers who opt for a home birth can have one safely,” Castro said. “While I’m proud to have carried this measure across the finish line, I applaud all the hard work of the advocates and legislators who worked on this law before me.”

Before this law, Illinois only recognized certified nurse midwives, who are advanced-practice registered nurses. Under the new Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act, people who are seeking certification as a professional midwife will have to follow set standards for the qualifications, education, training and experience, but will not be required to be a registered nurse.

SPRINGFIELD – Starting Jan. 1, grieving family members will have one less task to worry about, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood).

Loughran Cappel’s law ends early termination fees for utility customers who die before the end of a contract.

“While a family is grieving the loss of a loved one, the last thing they want to deal with is pesky utility fees,” Loughran Cappel said. “The new law will end this unfair practice and protect working families from unnecessary bills.”

This issue was raised by an Illinois resident after reading a news article highlighting a California family who was facing an early termination fee after a family member had died. New York passed a similar law.

“Enacting this new law sends a signal that Illinois is leading by taking a proactive approach to consumer protection,” Loughran Cappel said.

The legislation passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support.  The law, now Public Act 102-0112, takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.

As the new year starts, a number of new laws take effect – and many might just help your daily life.

Nearly 300 laws will officially be on the books beginning Jan. 1 – from one that gives students excused mental health days, to another that ensures pharmacies are being up front about their prices.

The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus has selected 10 new laws we think may be of interest to you. Keep reading for more.

A full list of laws that take effect Jan. 1, 2022 can be found here.

CHICAGO – Starting Jan. 1, schools will be prohibited from discriminating against natural hairstyles traditionally associated with race and ethnicity- including locs, braids, twists and afros - thanks to a law championed by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago). 

“No child should ever be singled out for sporting a hairstyle that authentically expresses their heritage and culture,” Simmons said. “These policies only serve to humiliate students of color who choose to dress themselves and wear their hair in a style that honors and respects their heritage and ancestry.”

The Jett Hawkins Act prevents school boards, local school councils, charter schools and non-private schools from creating hairstyle-based dress code requirements. Simmons, who wears his hair in freeform locs, championed the law in support of Jett Hawkins, a 4-year old boy who was sent home from school earlier this year for having braids that violated his school’s dress code.