SPRINGFIELD – To prevent poor dental health among children and teens that can cause lifelong health consequences, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) has passed a measure to allow preventative dental services within schools.

“Routine dental care isn’t just about appearance – it’s about overall health and well-being that can affect every part of a child’s life,” Morrison said. “It’s time we treat dental care like other preventative health care.”

Under the measure, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services could put in place a school-based dental program that would allow out-of-office preventative services – like teeth cleanings.

About 20% of children between the ages of 5 and 11, and about 13% of those between 12 and 19, have at least one untreated cavity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children who have poor oral health also often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t.

“The best way to keep teeth healthy is through preventative dental care – but not every person has the means to go the dentist routinely,” Morrison said.

Senate Bill 346 passed the Senate Wednesday and now heads to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman’s (D-Rockford) legislation to help the state invest in construction projects throughout Illinois passed the State Senate on Wednesday.

The legislation allows the state treasurer to invest up to 5% of the state’s investment portfolio into Illinois infrastructure development companies. This change in the law would allow up to $700 million in financing.

“Financing construction projects across out state also means we’re investing in our workers,” Stadelman said. “This legislation will generate good-paying jobs throughout Illinois.”

The legislation encourages more businesses to locate, expand, and remain in Illinois by investing in quality construction development firms with a significant presence within state borders.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to modernize marriage certificates, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) has passed legislation through the Illinois Senate allowing marriage licenses to use non-gendered language.

“Gendered language on marriage certificates is an outdated requirement,” said Feigenholtz. “Forcing someone to choose between binary terms like bride and groom may not be relevant for all couples. This new practice will reflect the full flexibility of marriage under the law.”

Senate Bill 139 allows married couples to request a new marriage certificate from the county clerk free of any gender identifying language. This includes changing terms like “bride” and “groom” to gender-neutral alternatives such as “spouse.”

SPRINGFIELD – Today, State Senator Doris Turner (D- Springfield) congratulated Young Leaders in Action (YLIA), a Macon County youth service and leadership group, for winning the first Illinois Governor's Cup Award.

“This is a major win not only for the students involved in YLIA but for the entire community,” said Turner. “This award recognizes all of our students' hard work and dedication and I couldn’t be happier about the governor selecting them for this great achievement.” 

The Governor’s Cup is the top honor given in a field of 24 community projects in the state. YLIA accepted the award from Gov. Pritzker in a virtual ceremony held Tuesday.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that would make the retirement process fairer for many Illinois firefighters passed the State Senate Wednesday.

“This legislation levels the playing field for all of Illinois’ firefighters,” Ellman said. “The current law doesn’t address an oversight that could cause hundreds of firefighters to lose out on time they’ve served when they retire.”

Currently, firefighters outside of Chicago who began work after 2011 are not allowed to purchase service credit after changing employers. This measure would ensure that all firefighters, would be able to purchase service credit if they move to a new employer who is covered by a different fire pension fund.

SPRINGFIELD – To help public colleges and universities better understand the needs of student parents, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate directing colleges to collect certain information from students that will help shape more accommodating policies going forward.

“Young parents and parents returning to school face unique challenges, specifically with access to child care and financial assistance,” Villanueva said. “Public institutions of higher education have a moral obligation to the children of their students to see that they are cared for.”

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure students experiencing homelessness are aware of available resources, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) advanced a bipartisan initiative out of the Senate to require higher education institutions to designate one employee to serve as a housing insecurity liaison.

“Oftentimes students without permanent housing are not aware of the resources available to them on campus and in their communities,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By creating a housing insecurity liaison, we are working to prevent homeless students from falling through the cracks by connecting them with aid.”

A study by the University of Chicago found that 4.2 million youth and young adults experienced homelessness during a 12-month period, and that nearly 29% of all young adults who experienced homelessness were enrolled in college or another educational program at the time.

Glowiak Hilton’s legislation requires each institution to appoint a Housing and Opportunities Useful for Students' Excellence (HOUSE) liaison. Their responsibilities would include identifying appropriate services, understanding aid eligibility, tracking graduation and retention rates, reporting the number of students using homelessness resources, and developing a plan to provide access to on-campus housing between academic breaks to homeless students enrolled at the institution.

Under the legislation, higher education institutions would also be required to provide information about available services and assistance regarding homelessness in financial aid and admission packets, as well as on the institution's website.

“Stable housing is foundational to academic and social success,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Creating this position is one step toward combatting homelessness for students and ensuring they have access to better opportunities.”

Senate Bill 190 passed the Senate and moves for further consideration in the House.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved a proposal sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) that looks to preserve the integrity of restorative justice practices, which are sometimes used in place of traditional court proceedings.

“We rely on restorative justice as an alternative method of addressing crime, but in order to be effective, those practicing it need to be sure it’s a safe space,” Peters said. “If someone is afraid that something they say might come back to be used against them, they’re far less likely to take full advantage of the benefits that a restorative justice practice has to offer.”

Peters’ legislation would prevent anything said or done during, in preparation for, or as a follow-up to a restorative justice practice from being used against someone in court, unless the protection is waved. The fact that a practice happened or is planned would be similarly privileged. A restorative justice practice is a measure to prevent trauma and repair harm by bringing adverse parties and community stakeholders together. They are becoming more common in schools, communities, and even courts.

“In order to win real safety and justice in our communities, we need to find effective alternatives to policing,” Peters said. “Restorative justice practices fill that role, so we need to work to preserve them.”

Senate Bill 64’s next stop is the House of Representatives.