SPRINGFIELD – Any person who has been convicted for a drug-related offense under state or federal law is prohibited from being eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, but State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is leading an initiative to reverse that restriction, which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Even after people serve their time, they still struggle when reentering society, as many of their rights have been taken from them,” Van Pelt. “They are released and ready to make a change—but laws like the restriction on TANF limit their ability to make a better life for themselves.”

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, passed at the federal level, prohibits anyone convicted of a drug-related felony from receiving federally-funded cash assistance through TANF or SNAP. However, states can opt out of this lifetime ban from TANF and SNAP, and 25 states have already chosen to do so.

TANF provides temporary financial assistance for pregnant women and families with one or more dependent children. TANF provides financial assistance to help pay for food, shelter, utilities and other non-medical expenses.

“People who are reentering society need help getting back on their feet,” Van Pelt said. “In fact, those who have been incarcerated may need the most assistance with food and housing to find a career and begin contributing to our communities again.”

House Bill 88 has now passed both chambers.

SPRINGFIELD – Health insurance companies use prior authorization on patients’ proposed treatments, meant to ensure they are medically necessary. However it often forces patients to wait too long for needed and appropriate treatments. House Bill 711, sponsored by Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) to ensure more timely approval, passed the Senate Friday.

“It can be stressful for people requiring medical treatment such as surgery, or supplies and services to wait on approval for medical treatment, and these delays must end,” Holmes said. “For those with chronic or life-threatening conditions, it can be an ongoing battle for however long the treatment continues.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) passed legislation out of the Illinois Senate Thursday to ensure the mental health needs of school children are met.

House Bill 576 gives students the opportunity to take days off school to focus on their mental health without facing disciplinary action. The proposal comes as suicidal thoughts and mental health struggles among teens continues to rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of suicide in young people increased 56% from 2007 to 2017. 

“Students experiencing mental health struggles need to know that they will not be disciplined for attending to their mental health.” Martwick said. “Giving students the opportunity to make up their work allows them to stay on track and not feel the pressure of falling behind.”

Under the measure, public school students would be able to take excused absence days to prioritize their mental or behavioral health.  Students who are granted an excused absence would be able to make up all work missed.

“It is important to remove barriers to students getting help when they need it,” Martwick said. “After all, mental health is every bit as important as physical health.”

HB 576 now returns to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing his dedication to improving safety and justice in Illinois communities, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) moved a measure through the Senate that would expand certain rights guaranteed to victims of violent crimes.

“Survivors of violence and their families have a right to deal with their trauma on their own time without having to risk their livelihoods,” Peters said. “If we don’t guarantee this right, then we’re allowing trauma to beget more trauma.”

The Victims Economic Security and Safety Act entitles victims and family members of victims of domestic, sexual or gender violence in Illinois to various amounts of unpaid leave from work to deal with their trauma. House Bill 3582 extends the act to include any other type of violent crime and provides protections against discriminatory acts by employers. The legislation also allows the paid leave to be taken non-consecutively or as a reduced work schedule.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) joined 49 other members of the General Assembly in sending a letter to the legislative leadership calling for action on climate change that includes equity opportunities for a diverse workforce.

“Our energy policy must rectify the injustices of climate change, honor the rights of consumers, and ensure a greener future,” Simmons said. “It should not simply be more handouts for utility companies. I am proud to stand with my colleagues to call for these reforms.”

CHAMPAIGN – During the national ‘Border to Border’ campaign, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) supports the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and law enforcement agencies across the state to step up seat belt patrols and enforcement zones through Memorial Day.

“With more people on the road traveling to see friends and loved ones for Memorial Day weekend, it’s vital that we remind drivers to buckle up so everyone on the roadway can be as safe as possible,” Bennett said. “Whether you’re a driver or a passenger, a child or an adult, wear your seatbelt so everyone can make it to their destination safely.”

Organized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as part of the “Click It or Ticket” campaign, Border to Border harnesses the power of 10,000 agencies across the nation – between states, cities and jurisdictions – to increase seat belt use in order to save lives.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to help children and families build a meaningful college savings fund, Senate Higher Education Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) passed a measure through the Senate Thursday to improve the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program.

“The price of a college education can be overwhelming when you add up tuition, books and student fees,” Bennett said. “It’s important that families start building a savings account for their children now so they are prepared for the future.” 

In 2019, the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program, established as part of the Illinois treasurer’s existing Bright Start and Bright Directions programs, was signed into law. Under this law, the treasurer will automatically deposit $50 into a college savings account for every child born or adopted in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced legislation out of the General Assembly that would allow special education students to graduate with their peers, rather than leave school the day they turn 22.

“Special education students deserve a natural end to their final school year,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “They should be able to graduate with their friends and say goodbye the same way every other student does.”