SPRINGFIELD – A measure introduced by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that would require the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to fly the United States, Illinois and prisoner of war/missing in action flags at all state parks passed the State Senate on Friday.

“These flags are representations of our state and nation, as well as a reminder of the sacrifices service members have given to protect the freedoms we have today,” Belt said.

The measure would require IDNR to fly a United States, Illinois and POW/MIA flag at all state parks within five years after it is signed into law. Additionally, the legislation would allow for groups and individuals to donate resources to the department’s Special Projects Fund to cover the cost of implementation.

“Our state government doesn’t exist to serve ICE.”

SPRINGFIELD – To protect the privacy and safety of Illinois’ undocumented residents, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate that would prevent photographs taken for state IDs and driver’s licenses from being shared with federal immigration authorities on Thursday.

“Undocumented residents need to be able to trust our state institutions,” Villanueva said. “It’s impossible to expect that of them if we are sending their facial recognition data directly to authorities. Our state government doesn’t exist to serve ICE.”

SPRINGFIELD – Public schools and state agencies would be required to disclose the use of toxic coal tar-based pavement sealant under State Senator Laura Fine’s (D-Glenview) initiative, which passed the Senate Friday.

“Clean air is a basic human right, and parents shouldn’t have to worry about their children breathing in dangerous chemicals on the playground,” Senator Fine said. “Disclosing the use of coal tar-based sealants and encouraging cleaner alternatives is essential to protecting our community and the environment.”  

Under Senator Fine’s Coal Tar Sealant Act, public schools, public school districts, daycares and state agencies would be required to disclose the use of coal tar-based sealant on playgrounds, parking lots and other paved areas. This measure would also require groups planning to use coal tar-based sealant for a pavement project to look into cleaner alternatives.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a plan by State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) to allow for the designation of cultural districts in Illinois, something she said would help to affirm the identity of communities in Illinois and preserve their distinct legacies.

"We want our communities to proudly reflect the identity, contributions and history of the people who have helped build them,” Pacione-Zayas said Friday after the measure passed the Senate. “This gives them a chance to pursue community-driven economic opportunity initiatives that ensure our neighborhoods preserve their unique cultures and continue to build legacies."

SPRINGFIELD – To protect women and children in Illinois, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) passed legislation the Illinois Senate that would establish the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission.

“Incidents of domestic violence have increased dramatically since the start of the pandemic,” Villanueva said. “Families are counting on us to take proactive measures to prevent violence.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) that would make civil no contact orders permanent for sexual assault survivors whose assailants are criminally convicted of sexual assault passed the State Senate Friday.

“People who’ve been through a sexual assault will live with the trauma for the rest of their lives,” Stadelman said. “I believe it’s our responsibly to help ease their burdens and not make them relive that trauma by forcing them to return to court year after year.”

Currently, under Illinois state law, sexual assault survivors are forced to see their assailants in court every two years to renew their no contact orders.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois families would no longer have to travel unreasonable distances or wait weeks for mental health and substance use disorder treatment under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Friday.

“Individuals seeking mental health treatment deserve to be cared for just as quickly and close to home as those seeking any other type of medical care,” Senator Fine said. “It needs to be as easy as possible for Illinoisans to access reliable mental health and substance use disorder treatment.”

SPRINGFIELD – Citing safety concerns from the Wood River community following an unexpected power plant demolition, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) has advanced an initiative through the Senate requiring any property owner planning to demolish a power plant to notify surrounding communities.

“Out of respect for the Metro East residents who were startled by an unexpected power plant demolition a few months ago, this proposal works to require communities to be made aware before work can begin,” Crowe said. “Residents also deserve to be notified of potential environmental concerns and health risks.”