SPRINGFIELD – To close loopholes that currently allow the Illinois Tollway Authority to share Illinois drivers’ personal information and travel records with law enforcement, federal prosecutors and private attorneys, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) sponsored legislation to limit the instances in which this data can be shared.

“Your travel history is your business. When that information is shared without valid cause, it’s a clear violation of drivers’ privacy,” said Murphy. “We need to put stronger protections in place to keep people’s personal information safe.”

SPRINGFIELD – A new measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) would help expand crisis response options across Illinois.

“Individuals experiencing a mental health crisis need appropriate treatment, and a quick and efficient response to a crisis is the most effective way to ensure they get it,” Peters said.

Illinois already has a program for crisis response, but it is underutilized because not enough people know that it’s even an option, and instead resort to calling the police.

SPRINGFIELD – To help ensure residents are notified of unclaimed property quickly and efficiently, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) advanced an initiative to allow state agencies to work together to locate rightful property owners.

“The Illinois Treasurer’s Office proactively searches for owners of unclaimed property throughout the state, but one office shouldn’t have to do it alone,” Crowe said. “Other state agencies should be utilizing their resources to help identify owners so property can be returned quickly.”

The initiative would allow the Illinois Secretary of State and the State Board of Elections to partner with the Treasurer’s Office to compare information in an effort to locate owners of unclaimed property valued at $2,000 or less.

Through its iCash program, the Treasurer’s Office is holding more than $3.5 billion in unclaimed funds for Illinoisans. Unclaimed property includes accounts and other financial means being held at corporations, financial institutions, financial intermediaries, courts or life insurance companies that have gone dormant for a period of time.

Crowe has previously partnered with the Treasurer’s Office to connect residents with cost-saving resources throughout the state, including the iCash program.

“During a pandemic that has caused nationwide financial devastation, receiving unclaimed property could make a notable difference for a struggling family,” Crowe said. “This initiative is intended to streamline the process for residents to receive the dollars they are entitled to.”

Senate Bill 338 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday and moves for further consideration before the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD- Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) advanced legislation today to require that no child in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) store his or her belongings in plastics bags or inappropriate baggage while moving around within the system.

“Some of these children are forced to leave behind toys and other keepsakes because they simply do not have enough storage space for their belongings,” said Sims. “And what do you think that says to a child, when they can’t get a stuffed animal or family photo into a trash bag? This measure simply removes one of the challenges these children face within the DCFS system that seems small but is really about not being cruel.”

SPRINGFIELD – As classes resume in-person, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation in the Senate Education Committee to ban the abuse of restraints and seclusion rooms in schools.

“With students returning to physical classrooms, our children should not fear that their basic dignity will be stripped away,” Gillespie said. “I remain committed to ending the inhumane practice of prone restraint and the abuse of seclusion rooms.”

SPRINGFIELD – Schools would be required to maintain consistent truancy policies and communicate them to parents annually under a plan from State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), which passed a Senate committee Tuesday and is set to be debated before the full Senate.

“Studies conducted in recent years have shown again and again that absences are a major barrier to educating so many of our students, and that the reasons they occur are complex,” Collins said. “The first step in addressing this has to be establishing truancy policies that are clearly communicated to families. We must be compassionate and consistent in how we approach absences.”

SPRINGFIELD – To allow teachers and staff at charter schools the right to collective bargaining, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) moved legislation in the Senate Education Committee that would protect their right to unionize.

“Teachers have been on the front lines of the pandemic since day one fighting for living wages and safe, dignified conditions,” Villanueva said. “Teachers across the city, especially at charter schools, must have the ability to unionize so that their students can succeed.”

The legislation would require that the renewal of charter schools and new charter school proposals include a union neutrality clause. The school would be prohibited from expressing a position on the matter of whether its employees unionize, required to provide access to labor organizations and required to recognize staff unionization if a majority wish to do so.

Under current law, charter schools may expressly forbid teachers and staff from unionizing. In 2015, Urban Prep Academies fired 15 teachers and staff shortly after a majority voted to join the Chicago Alliance of Charter School Teachers and Staff (ChiACTS). Urban Prep Academies, one of Chicago’s most prominent charter networks, later settled under an agreement requiring them to re-hire some of the staff and pay a $250,000 severance package and back pay to those they fired.

The legislation, Senate Bill 577, passed in the Senate Education Committee and awaits consideration before the full Senate.

Villanueva aprueba medida que permite que los maestros de las escuelas charter se sindicalicen

SPRINGFIELD – Para permitir que los maestros y otros empleados de las escuelas charter tengan el derecho de negociar colectivamente, la Senadora estatal Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago), avanzó una legislación en el Comité de Educación del Senado que protegerá su derecho a sindicalizarse.

“Los maestros han estado en la línea de batalla de la pandemia desde el primer día luchando por salarios adecuados y condiciones de trabajo dignas,” dijo Villanueva. “Los maestros de toda la ciudad, especialmente en las escuelas charter, deben contar con la posibilidad de sindicalizarse para que sus estudiantes puedan tener éxito.”

La legislación requerirá que la renovación de las escuelas charter y las nuevas propuestas de escuelas incluyan una clausula de neutralidad sindical. La escuela tendrá prohibido expresar una posición sobre si sus empleados deben o no sindicalizarse, deberán dar acceso a las organizaciones laborales y reconocer al personal sindicalizado si la mayoría así lo desea.

Bajo la ley actual, las escuelas charter pueden prohibir expresamente que los maestros y otros empleados se sindicalicen. En 2015, Urban Prep Academies despidió a 15 maestros y empleados poco antes de que se diera una votación para que se unieran a the Chicago Alliance of Charter School Teachers and Staff (ChiACTS). Urban Prep Academies, una de las redes de escuelas charter más importantes de Chicago, llegó a un acuerdo extrajudicial para recontratar a algunos de los cesados y pagar $250,000 en liquidaciones y pagos atrasados a los despedidos.

La legislación, SB 577, fue aprobada por el Comité de Educación del Senado y aguarda ser considerada por el pleno del Senado.

PARK FOREST – A virtual event to raise awareness about mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic will take place Monday, April 19 at 6 p.m., hosted by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) and State Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago).

“As the pandemic wears on, people are continuing to face mental health challenges,” Joyce said. “Tune in next week to learn about the resources and programs available for folks in our community who may need additional support. Now more than ever, mental health must be a priority.”

Joyce and Sims will join mental health experts George Brassea, a licensed clinical professional counselor at True Heights Treatments, and Stacey Jones, a licensed clinical professional counselor and community domestic violence programmer at Counseling Works, for the event.

Panelists will discuss how the pandemic has affected mental health, as well as warning signs of anxiety and depression. They will also offer tips and share resources to help the community improve their mental health.

“Many factors like isolation, job loss and fear are triggering or worsening mental health conditions for many people around the world,” said Sims. “While avoiding this infectious disease we have to remind ourselves that it’s not just the body that can suffer, but our psychological state can also be at risk. This workshop will provide tools and resources to help all of us get through this difficult time together and healthily.”

The event will take place over Zoom and will be livestreamed on both Joyce and Sims’ Facebook pages. Questions can be submitted in the comments during the event. For more information, contact Joyce’s office at 708-756-0882 or Sims’ office at 773-933-7715.