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.

URBANA – In an effort to meet the current demand for blood donations in Champaign and Vermilion Counties, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is partnering with ImpactLife to host community blood drives in Urbana and Danville this January.

“Blood donations continue to be essential to the health of people in our community,” Bennett said. “There is a critical need for blood donations from healthy individuals, and this weeklong event will be a safe opportunity to help strengthen our blood supply.”  

The blood drives will take place Monday, Jan. 3 through Saturday, Jan. 8 at the Urbana Donor Center, located at 1408 W. University Ave. in Urbana, and the Danville Elks Donor Center, located at 300 E. Liberty Lane in Danville. Donation hours at the Urbana location can be found here, and Danville here.

Donor centers are following recommendations from local, state and federal health agencies to keep staff, volunteers and donors safe. Appointments and masks will be required, and chairs in all areas will be at least six feet apart.

Healthy and eligible candidates can schedule an appointment to donate in Urbana or Danville at https://ilsendems.co/DanvilleBloodDrive. All presenting donors will receive their choice of a long sleeve T-shirt or a $10 gift card to a location of their choice.

For more information, Bennett urges residents to contact his Champaign office at 217-355-5252. Those with questions can also visit his website, SenatorBennett.com.

CHICAGO – Last week the White House made new commitments to combat the nation’s obtuse rates of maternal mortality, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is excited to see a plan on a national level.

Tuesday was declared a Maternal Health Day of Action, identifying ways that federal and state governments can support mothers before, during and after childbirth. One initiative includes an investment of over $3 billion from the Build Back Better Act for maternal health funding.

“This is an issue near and dear to my heart, as Black women die at disproportionate rates due to pregnancy related causes,” Van Pelt said. “No one should die while giving life to another, and while I’ve been working to end this in our state, I’m glad to see it being addressed nationally.”

Van Pelt sponsored Public Act 102-0414, a measure to expand birthing center licenses in Illinois, which was signed into law in August. This initiative expands the available licenses for birthing centers from 10 to 17, providing that birth center alternative health care models shall be located in the West Side of Chicago, the South Side of Chicago and East St. Louis.

The White House is encouraging states to expand postpartum coverage, as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is releasing new guidance on postpartum care and create a proposal for the establishment of a “Birthing-Friendly” hospital designation.  

“We must ensure not only that maternal related deaths are prevented, but also that mothers stay mentally and physically healthy after giving birth to their child,” Van Pelt said. “I am happy that the White House is committed to reducing complications around pregnancies and childbirth, and I know countless lives will be saved because of these measures.”

Illinois was the first state in the nation to extend coverage to ensure low-income mothers receive the support they need in the critical months following birth, and now the White House is encouraging the rest of the nation to do the same.

Ellman, Glowiak Hilton drop off over 325 purses full of supplies for survivors of domestic violence

DOWNERS GROVE – Following a month-long donation drive, State Senators Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) and Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) dropped off more than 325 purses full of personal care items to the Downers Grove Community Center.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the members of our community who took the time to make a donation in support of our neighbors in need,” Ellman said. “Especially around the holidays, it’s important to remind survivors of domestic abuse that there’s a whole community behind them.”

Read more.

Human Trafficking Task Force receives new appointments

SPRINGFIELD – The Human Trafficking Task Force welcomes three new members to develop plans to confront human trafficking in response to the growing number of missing women and girls, particularly women and girls of color, in the state.

“I was proud to sponsor the legislation creating the Human Trafficking Task Force that will have a special focus on the disproportionate number of missing Black girls and women in Illinois,” State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) said. “These crimes are hiding in plain sight and represent a form of industrialized kidnapping and modern-day slavery.”

Read more.

Murphy on shakeup at Illinois Tollway: What signal are we sending to consumers of the tollway?

CHICAGO – Concerned about the ethics and transparency of recent moves made by top leaders of the Illinois Tollway, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) called a hearing Tuesday to push for answers regarding the sudden change in the quasi-governmental agency’s chain of command.

“We must ensure that we are providing the most transparent process by effectively and efficiently operating the Tollway,” Murphy said. “This is significant to the consumers of the Tollway.”

Read more.

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CHICAGO – Airline employees may use sick time to care for family members now that legislation sponsored by State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) was signed into law Friday.

“Access to paid family and medical leave is essential for the future of work,” Villivalam said. “Airline workers shouldn’t have to choose between caring for sick loved ones and keeping food on the table and a roof over their heads.”

House Bill 106 amends the Employee Sick Leave Act by removing a line that exempted airline employees from coverage. This change allows these workers to use already-earned sick time to care for sick family members.

State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), Dr. Shoeb Sitafalwalla, chief strategy officer of Advocate Aurora Health, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest)
and State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) participate in a Senate Health Committee hearing on the future of health care.

Morrison leads Senate Health Committee hearing on future of health care Thursday

CHICAGO – As health care continues to evolve, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) wants to study trends and have open dialogue with health care professionals to bring Illinois to the forefront of the future of care.

That led her to chair a Senate Heath Committee Subject Matter Hearing on the future of health care Thursday.

“We have an opportunity to rely on the data and innovation behind the booming health care and IT industries and start to forecast our health care future,” Morrison said.

Morrison spearheaded the committee to discuss the future of health care – including innovations in telehealth, technology and other ways in which health care is being delivered.

Chicago – More communities are a step closer to addressing the problem of firearm violence related crimes after State Senator Robert Peters’ (D-Chicago) measure to bring gun violence prevention training and services to more areas was signed into law.

“The recent rise in gun violence will not be addressed until we change the policies that disproportionately have a negative impact on Black and Brown communities,” Peters said. “Soon, we will be able to work hand-in-hand with affected communities, intervening with at risk youth, supporting survivors and working from the bottom-up rather than the top-down. People in Illinois deserve public safety for all, not theater.”