Bennett plan to prevent pharmacies from hiding drug prices passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD — To improve transparency around prescription drug costs, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) moved a measure through the Senate requiring pharmacies to post a notice informing consumers that they may request current pharmacy retail prices at the point of sale.

“Consumers deserve to know the lowest drug prices at their pharmacy so they can make an informed decision about where they buy their prescriptions,” Bennett said. “High prescription drug prices affect us all, and this legislation seeks to provide truth and transparency.”

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Belt: When young Illinoisans are going hungry, wasting food is not an option

SPRINGFIELD — A measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that would require the Illinois State Board of Education to create an unused food program for schools passed the Senate last week.

“No child in Illinois should go to bed hungry,” Belt said. “This program will build on the success of the free lunch and breakfast program the state already has in place.”

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Stadelman measure protecting sexual assault survivors passes Illinois Senate

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 Senate last week.

“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.”

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Redistricting process underway

The Illinois Senate Redistricting Committee is holding a series of hearings across the state to receive input for the once-in-a-decade process of drawing new legislative boundaries.

This week, the Senate will host a number of those hearings. The dates are as follows:

• Peoria, Tazewell and Macon Counties: Thursday, April 29 at 3 p.m. (virtual)
• Sangamon and Macon Counties: Friday, April 30 at 11 a.m. (virtual)
• Chicago West/Cook County West: Saturday, May 1 at 10:30 a.m. - This is a hybrid committee, so you can watch either online or in-person at Malcolm-X College auditorium, 1900 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago 60612
• Statewide Redistricting: Saturday, May 1 at 5 p.m. - This is a hybrid committee, so you can either watch online or in-person at Chicago State University, 9501 S. King Street, Chicago 60628

To watch the committees, visit ilga.gov then click "audio/video" under the Senate tab at its start time. If you would like to testify or submit written testimony, contact us at redistrictingcommittee@senatedem.ilga.gov.

Additionally, The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus has launched an online portal that allows the public to draw and submit proposed legislative boundaries.

The portal presents the first time in Illinois history that the public can go online to craft proposed maps, allowing for greater access and public participation in the once-a-decade redistricting process. All maps submitted through the portal will be reviewed as part of the public record. The portal can be accessed online day or night at ilsenateredistricting.com.

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CHICAGO – To honor the working people who have died in work zones, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, is reminding drivers to slow down and move over when passing through work zones this upcoming construction season.

“Road builders keep commuters and our economy moving, so please give them the space they need as you drive through work zones,” Villivalam said. “We all want to make it home to our families at the end of the day.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) recently honored 959 Naperville-area high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“It’s no secret the last two school years have been tough,” Ellman said. “That is why I’m so proud of these students for earning this award. Not only did the students perform admirably, but they did it during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. I want to recognize their support systems as well. The school staffs across the district have done an exceptional job.” 

The scholars from the Naperville area include students from nine area high schools, including Benet Academy, Lisle, Naperville Central, Naperville Christian, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, St. Francis, Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South high schools.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner’s (D-Springfield) effort to make agricultural sciences courses count toward Illinois university admissions requirements passed the Senate unanimously last week.

“The goal here is to highlight the importance of agricultural studies,” said Turner. “Our current curricula did not reflect that by excluding it from courses that count toward the three required years of sciences, and may have deterred some students from pursuing those studies.”

Currently, the minimum requirements to gain admission to state universities include the completion of at least 15 units of high school coursework in the following subjects: English, Social studies, Mathematics, (Laboratory) Sciences and electives in either foreign language, music, vocational education, or art.

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora)’s measure to add more safeguards in the courts for abused animals has passed the Illinois Senate.

The Senate passed Senate Bill 153, which would give trial courts discretion in prosecutions for cruelty to companion animals to appoint a supervised law student to assist the court as a special advocate.

“Animal abuse cases may end in dismissed charges or reduced sentences for animal owners accused of cruelty, often because prosecutors have good intentions but not enough resources for research and information to make a strong case,” Holmes said. “These advocates can aid the courts in working for consistent reinforcement of Illinois’ mandate to properly protect companion animals.”

Holmes also pointed out there is a well-documented cycle of violence between those who abuse humans and those who abuse animals. Domestic violence perpetrators have a history of animal cruelty in their pasts, as do murderers, so bringing animal abusers to justice could help save human lives.

“I’m very grateful to Jane McBride, Esq., President and Chief Executive Officer of Illinois Humane, who brought this bill to me,” Holmes said. “She did a lot of work getting this crafted and edited to help it pass the Senate successfully.”

The law students, authorized to provide services under Supreme Court Rule 711, would be able to assist with legal research and technical assistance specific to the well-being of the subject animal, as well as help identify and select expert witnesses.

The law students would work without pay or cost to the court. As special advocates, they receive courtroom and investigatory experience.

The organizations advocating for Senate Bill 153 include Best Friends Animal Society, Illinois Humane, the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Humane Society of the United States and the Animal Welfare Institute.  

Senate Bill 153 now moves to the House for further action.

DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) recently honored 507 Northwest Suburban high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“This generation of students has faced challenges many of us couldn’t have imagined,” Murphy said. “The most recent class of Illinois State Scholars—as well as their teachers, administrators and families—have shown unprecedented dedication and perseverance. Their hard work has made our community proud.”

The Scholars from the Northwest Suburbs include students from eight area high schools, including Elk Grove High School, J.B. Conant High School, Maine Township High School South, Maine Township High School West, Schaumburg Christian School, Schaumburg High School, Willows Academy and Lake Park West High School.

Recipients of the award will receive a congratulatory letter from ISAC, and a Certificate of Achievement will be sent to their high school. State Scholars will also receive a digital badge issued by ISAC that can be displayed on online profiles, exhibited on social media, and shared with prospective colleges and employers.

“With college and financial aid applications looming for many students, I hope this well-earned recognition will give them a boost,” Murphy said. “I look forward to watching our hardworking young neighbors succeed in the years to come.”

More information about the State Scholar program can be found at ISAC’s website.

CHAMPAGIN – As the construction season gets underway, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is recognizing Work Zone Awareness Week through Friday, April 30, and urges drivers to slow down and pay attention in work zones.

“Our road workers should be able to do their jobs safely, and this week serves as a reminder that we all must work together by following the rules of the road and staying alert when driving to prevent tragedies,” Bennett said. 

In 2019, the most recent year statistics are available, 842 people were killed and 39,100 injured in work zone crashes nationally. Illinois averages 6,400 crashes in work zones each year, resulting in 1,700 injuries and 34 deaths. More than 9 out of 10 deaths are someone other than a worker, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

“Seeing orange is a powerful reminder that all crashes, injuries and deaths, not just those in work zones, are almost always avoidable,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “We are grateful to the organizations that are taking part in this effort to ‘Go Orange’ and help IDOT and its partners drive the number of fatalities to the only acceptable number – zero.”

For more information on Work Zone Awareness Week, visit IDOT’s Work Zone page.

MARYVILLE – In honor of Work Zone Awareness Week, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) and State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) are commending highway workers, law enforcement and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for prioritizing safety in construction zones and encouraging motorists to stay alert.

“Millions of motorists depend on our state roadways for safe transportation every day. It’s important that drivers prioritize the well-being of the workers maintaining those roads,” Crowe said. “The brave individuals who endanger their lives to ensure safe roadway conditions deserve recognition during Illinois’ Work Zone Awareness Week.”

According to IDOT, Illinois averages 6,400 crashes in work zones each year, resulting in 1,700 injuries and 34 deaths annually.

Work Zone Awareness Week is highlighted in Illinois each spring. This year, the campaign takes place from April 26 through April 30.

“With St. Louis right across the river, the residents in my area heavily depend on safe and reliable bridges every single day,” Belt said. “I commend our roadway construction workers for the dangerous but essential work they do every day.”

More information is available on IDOT’s website.