SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement regarding the tragic loss of life of Deidra Silas, a Department of Children and Family Services’ employee. Silas was stabbed to death in Thayer Tuesday afternoon while performing a home visit.

“I am heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of Deidre Silas, a dedicated DCFS employee. Her top priority was helping some of the most vulnerable, at-risk children in our state. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Deidre.

“This is not the first employee death we have seen at DCFS in recent years. I, alongside other legislators, will immediately call upon Director Smith to review the agency’s policies to ensure no other life of someone called to protect our children is brutally lost.”

SPRINGFIELD – Recently passed laws to help support veterans across Illinois went into effect Jan. 1.

“Prioritizing our veterans who have given so much for our country is always a top priority,” State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), a veteran and chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said. “I’m proud of the bipartisan work conducted during the spring and fall sessions to bring us these new laws to help our military members and veterans thrive in Illinois.”

Happy New Year

We wrapped up 2021 and the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus wants to thank you for your work to keep your community safe through another year of the pandemic. We wish you a happy New Year, and hope it brings joy, happiness and health!

New year, new laws

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

Nearly 300 laws are officially on the books as of 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.

Copyright 2022 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

CHAMPAIGN – To lift up area residents in need of a helping hand, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is hosting a collection drive to benefit the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen in Champaign during January.

“Organizations like the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen continue to need our support during these challenging times,” Bennett said. “I’m spearheading this hygiene product drive to help replenish the stock at the soup kitchen and ensure no one goes without proper hygiene products during the winter months.”

Bennett’s office is collecting new products including deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, shaving cream, razors, hand lotion, hand warmers, chapstick, gloves, hats, socks, scarves and small treats. Hygiene items can be dropped off at Bennett’s district office located at 45 E. University Ave., Suite 206 in Champaign.

NAPERVILLE– State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is reminding Illinois drivers they now have an additional three months to renew their licenses.  

“Doing our part to reduce transmission of COVID-19 means staying home and staying safe when we can,” Ellman said. "Utilizing online and remote services when they’re available is the safest option, and usually the most hassle-free way to get things accomplished.”

Secretary of State Jesse White’s office announced that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards have been extended to March 31, 2022, with the exception of commercial driver’s licenses. The extension comes as secretary of state offices across Illinois continue to get caught up following COVID-19-related closures to their daily operations.   

WAUKEGAN – In the spirit of the holiday season and in collaboration with the Aspen Drive Library in Vernon Hills, the Indian Trails Public Library in Buffalo Grove and the Waukegan Public Library, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) donated more than 400 books to students at St. Anastasia Catholic School in Waukegan.

“Children with access to quality books have a strong opportunity to improve their cognitive skills as well as literacy, social and emotional development,” Johnson said. “I’m grateful to the librarians at the Aspen Drive, Indian Trails and Waukegan public libraries who were kind, generous and more than willing to help my office collect books for local children in need.”

EAST ST. LOUIS – Communities throughout the Metro East that without functional wastewater infrastructure are encouraged by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) to apply for grant funding to bring proper facilities to the area.

“Disadvantaged communities do not always have functional wastewater infrastructure,” Belt said. “This leaves homes and businesses at a higher risk of damage. Providing support for these improvements protects the infrastructure and lives in disadvantaged communities.”

A total of $1 million is available for grants through the Unsewered Communities Planning Grant Program, which assists small and disadvantaged communities in developing a project plan that identifies a solution to wastewater collection and treatment needs. The funding, available through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, provides an opportunity to develop a plan that will address problems associated with the collection and treatment of wastewater in an unsewered community. This can be used in an application for a project that would be funded by the Illinois Unsewered Communities Construction Grant Program.

KANKAKEE – A new law on the books will prevent children’s lemonade stands from being shut down for not having a permit thanks to State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex).

This new law was inspired by 12-year-old Hayli Martinez, whose lemonade stand in Kankakee was flagged by local officials and shut down.

“All kids deserve the chance to learn entrepreneurship from an early age,” Joyce said. “Hayli’s Law is a good step toward making that happen and will allow our young entrepreneurs to dream big without any hurdles.”