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.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter’s (D-Chicago) legislation to end hair discrimination in Illinois passed out of the Senate Friday.

“No one should have to miss out on a job opportunity or miss a school graduation because of the hair that grows naturally out of their head,” Hunter said. “It’s 2021. As a nation, we should be past this petty discrimination.”

Senate Bill 1847 – or the Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act – amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to provide that the term "race" includes traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists.

SPRINGFIELD – In order to increase diversity and inclusion in the railroad industry, State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) is pushing Amtrak to submit procurement goals for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned and small business enterprises.

“In order to ensure that our small and minority businesses are getting a fair opportunity to participate in transportation contracts, we must urge all our railroad companies to set goals to increase diversity,” Harris said. “Illinois is a diverse state, and all industries should promote equity and inclusion for all business that want to participate in public contracts.”

Currently, the Railroad Supplier Diversity Act allows each Class I railroad company to submit an annual report containing procurement goals and actual spending for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned and small business enterprises to the Illinois Commerce Commission.

SPRINGFIELD – To eliminate the teacher shortage in Illinois, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) advanced a plan out of the Senate Friday to increase the number of hours a retired teacher may work without impairing their retirement status.

“The teacher shortage in Illinois predated COVID-19, and as we see more school districts return to in-person learning, some will be faced with challenges in hiring substitute teachers,” Joyce said. “This legislation will ensure schools have the most qualified professionals to teach our children.”