SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) took a step today to improve traffic safety around O’Hare Airport.

In response to reports of dangerous conditions around the airport, Harmon passed legislation prohibiting drivers from stopping their vehicles on the shoulder of the road anywhere within a half-mile radius of O’Hare.

“O’Hare is one of the busiest airports in the country,” Harmon said. “With thousands of cars coming through daily, obstructions on the roadway present a threat to drivers, passengers and pedestrians.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura announced that Senate Bill 3695 has been assigned to the Senate Executive Committee and has bipartisan support.

Senate Bill 3695, also known as the CURE Act – or the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act – aims to tackle treatment-resistant conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, eating disorders, and other mental health conditions. Additionally, it would facilitate research into the safety and efficacy of psilocybin through medical, psychological, and scientific studies. New Chief Co-Sponsor Senator Craig Wilcox has researched and considered filing a similar psilocybin bill focused on mental health and medicinal use for more than two years.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure championed by State Senator Karina Villa to expand opportunities for Spanish-speakers to become certified nursing assistants passed the Senate on Thursday.

“Promoting the diversity of our health care workforce is crucial for increasing the quality of care in communities across Illinois,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “It is essential for patients to be able to connect with their health care providers without encountering a language barrier.”

House Bill 5218 would require the Illinois Department of Public Health to create rules to offer the nursing assistant certification exam in Spanish while preventing restrictions on eligibility for individuals seeking to take the exam in Spanish.

“We must remove barriers that prevent qualified and skilled workers from becoming certified nursing assistants, especially during our current health care worker shortage,” said Villa. “Supporting these individuals will help address this issue and will expand the skill pool in the health care field.”

House Bill 5218 passed the Senate on Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD – Finding out your vehicle is totaled can be a difficult situation and the last thing you want to do is research the cost of each part of your car. State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to require vehicle insurance companies to do that work for you.

“I am committed to increasing transparency between insurance companies and consumers,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This measure will save people time and energy during an already trying experience.”

House Bill 5559 would require auto insurers to provide a description of how the total loss of vehicle determination was made, as well as include any available repair estimates, estimated vehicle salvage value, assessed market value of the pre-damaged vehicle and any other costs or calculations.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a measure to provide further protections to crime victims.

“There is no reason why crime survivors, who are brave enough to share DNA, should have to look over their shoulder wondering if their DNA they voluntarily provided will be used against them,” said Villanueva (D–Chicago). “This provision protects survivors and ensures they are able to seek justice without fear of systemic retaliation.”

House Bill 1168 would ensure that DNA evidence collected from a crime victim is not entered into a DNA database.

SPRINGFIELD- A measure sponsored by State Senator Ram Villivalam would make it easier for people who have completed masonry programs to receive community college credit.

“Many choose to pursue trade programs after high school, including masonry, carpentry, or plumbing,” said Villivalam. “Making sure that there are options for furthering education is vital for our workers and local economy.”

Villivalam’s measure would ensure that community colleges accept up to 30 credit hours transferred from a non-degree institution for finishing a masonry program. Currently there are 36 non-degree programs that can be approved, which include programs such as general carpentry, pharmacy technician and welding.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Doris Turner and Christopher Belt laid out a plan Thursday to ensure physicians who perform autopsies are able to accurately do their job without fear of legal retaliation.

“After conversations with Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon, it was clear that we need to ensure the people who perform autopsies are protected,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Putting the rest of the state in line with Cook County will ensure further transparency in the death care industry.”

Senate Bill 2779 would require counties to indemnify and hold harmless a physician, designated by the county or the coroner’s office, to perform autopsies. Indemnification describes the concept where an employer compensates or covers the liability of an employee for conduct the employee committed while they were doing their job in accordance with the employer’s guidance or policies.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to bring more diversity to clinical cancer trials.

“Better representation in clinical trials will improve progress and innovation in cancer care and mitigate some inequities that currently exist in health care,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest).

House Bill 5405 would require the Illinois Department of Public Health to work with the University of Illinois and other relevant organizations to conduct a study examining what demographics are currently underrepresented in clinical trials, identify barriers to participation and pinpoint ways to improve upon outreach to these communities. IDPH would report the findings of this study to the General Assembly by July 1, 2026.

“Prioritizing accessibility and equity in cancer research is vital as cancer disproportionately impacts marginalized communities,” said Morrison. “This bill will ensure participation from historically underrepresented communities.”

House Bill 5405 unanimously passed the Senate Thursday.