SPRINGFIELD – A measure introduced by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that would begin phasing out toxic PFAS chemicals used in firefighting foam passed the Illinois Senate on Friday.

“Evidence shows that exposure to PFAS can have serious health consequences, including kidney issues and cancer,” Ellman said. “We need to step in now if we want to decrease the public’s exposure, especially firefighters.”

Per-and polyfluoradlkyl substances, frequently called PFAS, are a large group of toxic chemicals that have the ability to repel oil and water, reduce friction, and put out fires. For these reasons, they are especially prevalent in firefighting foam.

There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to negative health effects, like cancer, reproductive issues, and liver and kidney problems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

SPRINGFIELD – A new effort to reduce sexual misconduct on the campuses of Illinois colleges and universities, sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham, passed the Illinois Senate Friday.

An initiative of the Every VOICE Coalition, it would require each institution of higher education to conduct an annual sexual misconduct climate survey. The results of the survey would then be posted on the university’s website and sent to the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

“Despite important progress in recent years, sexual assault and harassment are still too common at our colleges and universities,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “This survey would help higher education institutions form plans to address the problem and give prospective students and the public more insight on how institutions are addressing the issue.”

SPRINGFIELD – In a victory for mobile home owners across Illinois, two measures proposed by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to increase transparency for mobile home buyers and improve conditions in mobile home parks have both passed the Senate.

“Every homeowner deserves to know the terms of their loan agreement and to be able to depend on a basic standard of living—that includes mobile home owners,” Murphy said. “These initiatives set the bar, ensuring residents of mobile home parks have the same protections as any other Illinoisan.”

A loan for a mobile home located in a mobile home park is different from a mortgage: Mobile homes are assessed and taxed as personal property rather than real estate, interest rates are often much higher than those for typical home loans, and refinancing options are limited. To ensure residents are well informed when purchasing a mobile home, Senate Bill 1779 would require lenders to disclose these differences to prospective mobile home buyers.

SPRINGFIELD – As part of his continued fight to win and preserve safety and justice, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) moved a proposal to strengthen alternative mental health and substance abuse crisis responses through the Senate Friday.

“A mental health or substance abuse crisis requires a specific, dedicated response that only trained professionals are adequately equipped provide,” Peters said. “Many police officers lack this training and are forced to respond to situations they’re not prepared to handle, which can often make the situation worse. We need to strengthen alternative response methods so that people who are suffering crises are able to get the right kind of help.”

Senate Bill 347 creates the Alternatives to Crisis Escalation Act, which will increase the availability of underused mental health and substance abuse crisis response services. The measure also aims to spread and expand awareness of alternative responses, as well as ensure their availability to everyone regardless of insurance status.

SPRINGFIELD – A piece of legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that would waive trapping license requirements for disabled veterans, returning service members and those who are terminally ill passed out of the Senate and advanced to the House on Thursday.

“This legislation is one small way that we can convey to our servicemen and women that we are grateful for the sacrifices they have made,” Koehler said. “It is always a pleasure to bring bills before my colleagues that give back to those who have given so much for us.”

SPRINGFIELD – Family members would be able to receive certain information regarding their relatives in mental health facilities under legislation led by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Individuals receiving care from mental health facilities may not be in a state where they are able to share information with loved ones,” Senator Fine said. “This initiative would ensure relatives involved in or paying for the individual’s care are allowed to receive pertinent information regarding their condition and treatment.” 

Senator Fine’s Access to Basic Mental Health Information Act would give certain family members access to information about their loved one’s care, including whether the individual is located at the mental health facility, their current physical and mental condition, diagnosis, treatment needs, services provided, services and medication needed, discharge planning or continuity of care, and a physician’s report if clinically appropriate. 

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois National Guard will be sufficiently honored in death thanks to a piece of legislation, sponsored by State Senator Michael E. Hastings, which passed the Senate earlier this week.

“The presentation of a flag, whether it’s a state flag or the American flag, to the families of fallen soldiers is a crucial tradition that dates back centuries,” Hastings said. “I am humbled by my colleagues’ approval on this measure, which will extend a time-honored privilege to our state’s fallen National Guardsmen and women.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) passed a measure through the Senate Thursday to amend regulations for the Prescription Monitoring Program.

“This legislation was necessary in order for doctors to be aware of what prescriptions their patients are taking to ensure any unnecessary prescriptions can be eliminated,” Hunter said. “Opioid overdose rates have risen in Illinois over the last year, and I want to take all necessary precautions and help those who need treatment to get it.”

Currently, the PMP is allowed to automatically send a report to prescribers and dispensers when medication shopping is detected from three identifications of a prescriber or pharmacy in a six month period.