SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is celebrating Illinoisans of the Hindu religion with the passage of a measure to establish October 2021 as Hindu Heritage month.

“Illinois thrives because of its rich cultural history,” Murphy said. “Hindu people make up an important part of our society, and its important we learn and celebrate this culture.”

In Illinois alone there are over 250,000 followers of the Hindu religion. It is the world’s oldest and third largest religion. October is significant to the Hindu population because it is the birth month of Mahatma Gandhi, and it is also when Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is held.

“Dedicating a month to Hindu heritage provides an opportunity to focus on Hindu culture and its diverse spiritual traditions,” Murphy said. “It also serves as a way to thank and support the people who contribute to our state”

The Hindu community has established 38 temples in Illinois, with the largest being the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago. These temples not only serve as places of fellowship, but they also serve as spaces for cultural events. Senate Resolution 545 establishes October 2021 as Hindu Heritage month to observe and recognize these contributions.

By collectively honoring Hindu participation in the state, Illinois adds itself to the list of states that have dedicated the month of October to Hindu heritage.

Senate Resolution 545 was adopted by the Senate Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate declaring October 2021 as Hindu Heritage Month in Illinois.

“Hindus have furthered our state’s cultural diversity and economic prosperity,” Villivalam said. “As the senator of one of the most diverse districts in the state and the first Hindu to serve in the Illinois state legislature, I am proud to be a chief co-sponsor of legislation to honor the contributions of Hindu communities across Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago), joined by advocacy group Parole Illinois, demonstrated strong support of Senate Bill 2333, a plan that seeks to reform the current parole system, in a press conference and rally, today.

“This is about giving people hope in what may seem to be a hopeless situation,” Villanueva said. “Our corrections system is meant to rehabilitate people. There are people who spend their time behind bars trying to better themselves, and the systems needs to recognize that.”

Senate Bill 2333 would give individuals who have been incarcerated for 20 years or more the opportunity to be reviewed for Earned Reentry. Providing a pathway to rejoin society offers an incentive to people with longer sentences to prepare for better futures.

SPRINGFIELD – To keep students safe in school, Senate Higher Education Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) advanced a plan through the Senate Wednesday that would ensure students are protected from grooming and other sexual misconduct.

“Children should be able to turn to their teachers when there’s a problem, and to trust that their teacher is acting in their best interests,” Bennett said. “This legislation will better equip educators if an issue arises, as well as help put a stop to sexual abuse.”

Bennett’s legislation would make it mandatory for schools to develop a sexual misconduct code of conduct, review employment histories, and teach students about grooming and sexual misconduct in sex education. It would also allow for schools to set aside two days of in-service learning for teachers to train on identifying such behavior and publish a resource guide on sexual abuse for parents.

SPRINGFIELD – To adopt federal regulations for flying a flag at half-staff into the Illinois Code, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) advanced legislation out of the Senate Wednesday.

“As a symbol of respect or mourning, communities take notice of flags flown at half-staff,” Johnson said. “By adopting the federal law into our state code, we are working to ensure the process is unified and done appropriately.”

The initiative amends Illinois’ current Flag Display Act to outline the circumstances in which the United States flag should be flown at half-staff, the necessary procedures and time allotted. The Act states the flag could be lowered to half-staff to recognize Memorial Day, death of a government official, line-of-duty military deaths or other occurrences deemed honorary by the governor.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce’s (D-Essex) proposal to declare Oct. 28, 2021 as First Responders Day in Illinois cleared the Senate Wednesday.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line each day to ensure our safety, protection and well-being,” Joyce said. “I’m thrilled that this measure has been adopted by my colleagues in the Senate and will allow us to properly celebrate these folks next week.”

This idea was brought to Joyce by a 911 dispatcher in Kankakee County and led to Senate Resolution 534. This designated day will recognize and remember the first responders lost and extends gratitude to all first responders for continuously putting their lives on the line for the citizens of Illinois.

In addition, it specifically thanks 911 dispatchers, as well as firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics for their commitment to Illinois public safety. 

“There’s no question our first responders have difficult jobs,” Joyce said. “Designating this day to our first responders will ensure we all pause and reflect on all they do for us and our communities.”

Senate Resolution 534 was adopted by the Senate with bipartisan support.

SPRINGFIELD – To demonstrate honor and respect for many of the state’s bravest and most selfless public servants, State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) supported a resolution to recognize First Responders Day in Illinois.

“First responders were essential to Illinois residents’ safety during the height of the pandemic last year, with many working overtime despite the risk of possible COVID-19 exposure for themselves and their loved ones,” Crowe said. “Although law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel deserve our community’s respect throughout the year, designating a day statewide is important to recognize their efforts and contributions to protecting Illinois families.”

Under the initiative, Oct. 28, 2021 will be recognized as First Responders Day in Illinois. Senate Resolution 534 was adopted by the Senate Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the preventable deaths in Illinois veterans’ homes from COVID-19 and legionella over the past several years, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) sponsored a measure to create the Veterans’ Accountability Unit, which passed the Senate Wednesday.

“After the tragic COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home last year, it is imperative that the agencies charged with helping our veterans have proper oversight,” said Cullerton, chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs committee. “The Veterans Accountability Unit provides an extra layer of transparency that can help prevent future issues.”

The legislation, House Bill 359, creates the unit, with offices to be housed in Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs buildings and veterans’ homes. The unit will be tasked with reporting complaints and recommendations from veterans, IDVA employees and other Illinois residents to the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor.

Additionally, the unit will establish a toll-free helpline and email, maintain regular office hours and create an annual report that includes a summary of complaints and actions taken in response to them.

“The Veterans’ Accountability Unit will make sure our veterans have even more seats the table when it comes to their care in Illinois,” Cullerton said. “We must continue to do what we can to make sure the veterans who have sacrificed so much are properly supported.”

HB 359 passed the Senate Wednesday and will now move to the House for further consideration.