SPRINGFIELD – As the heat of summer approaches, some kids are working to make a little bit of cash mowing lawns, babysitting or establishing a lemonade stand outside their home.

Hayli Martinez, an 11-year-old girl from Kankakee, had the perfect idea last summer to sell lemonade with different flavors in order to earn money for her college funds.

However, after much success, her lemonade stand was flagged by Kankakee Health Department officials and it was shut down soon after.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) advanced legislation out of the Senate Public Health committee Tuesday that would take a multipronged approach to fighting sickle cell disease that includes new funding and programs for educational materials, research, and treatment of the condition affecting roughly 3500 people in Illinois.

“The goal here is to curb the deep social impact and mortality rate of sickle cell disease,” Hunter said. “We know it tends to affect underserved communities, who consistently lag behind when it comes to access to comprehensive care and preventative treatment. This is a meaningful step toward closing that gap for future generations of African-American children.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans would have faster and easier access to mental health services under a bill sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

The measure requires that insurers provide timely access to mental health treatment at a facility within a reasonable distance from the patient. The requirements would apply to services for mental, emotional, nervous and substance use disorders and conditions.

“If you had a broken arm, your insurer wouldn’t make you wait weeks or drive for hours to see a doctor,” said Fine. “Why should mental health be treated any differently?”

The bill would place limits on how long a person must wait to see a mental health provider, as well as the distance a person must travel for treatment.

In Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties, those seeking outpatient mental health treatment would not have to travel longer than 30 minutes or 30 miles to their provider. In other counties, the limit increases to 60 minutes or 60 miles.

In all parts of the state, no one would have to wait more than 10 business days between requesting an appointment and being seen.

“I introduced this legislation to improve access to treatment for mental health,” said Fine. “The exact time and distance limits in the bill are still under negotiation, but I’m excited to work with my fellow lawmakers to make services more easily available.”

Senate Bill 2740 passed the Senate Insurance Committee and now heads to the full Senate.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) joined Governor J.B. Pritzker at the Rockford Police Department this afternoon to celebrate a Rebuild Illinois project that will help revitalize Rockford’s west side.

The project is the second phase of a plan to improve U.S. Business 20/West State Street from Day Avenue to Independence Avenue. The first phase included reconstruction of West State from Independence Avenue to Kent Creek.

“The project already has provided economic growth and a higher quality of life to an area long in need of a boost, “said Stadelman, citing improvements that include the new District 1 police station and Crusader Community Health rebuilding its main campus in the same West State location. “I’m thankful the state of Illinois is in the position to continue its work helping redevelop an at-risk neighborhood and a gateway into Rockford’s resurgent downtown.”

Besides reconstruction and widening of West State from two to four lanes, the project’s second phase includes the addition of decorative lighting, a pedestrian and bicycle path and reconstruction of sidewalk ramps to make the area more accessible for individuals with limited mobility.

“The non-road improvements are critical components to securing the neighborhood’s future as a vibrant place where families want to live and where they prosper,” Stadelman said.

A stretch of West State from Meridian Road to Springfield Avenue also is set to be resurfaced, beginning in April and concluding by the end of this summer.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) joined Governor J.B. Pritzker at the Rockford Police Department this afternoon to celebrate a Rebuild Illinois project that will help revitalize Rockford’s west side.

The project is the second phase of a plan to improve U.S. Business 20/West State Street from Day Avenue to Independence Avenue. The first phase included reconstruction of West State from Independence Avenue to Kent Creek.

WOOD RIVER – Applauding her commitment to empowering women and prioritizing justice for all Illinois residents, members of the YWCA of Alton have selected State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) as a 2020 recipient of the Women of Distinction award.

“As a voice for the Metro East in Springfield, I base every vote and decision on integrity, equality and fairness,” Crowe said. “It is gratifying to be receiving this significant honor alongside so many other inspiring women acting in the best interest of our communities.”

Crowe is one of twelve women selected to be inducted into the YWCA Women of Distinction Academy. Women are awarded for embodying the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Since 1991, the YWCA of Alton have honored and celebrated dynamic leaders who are making a difference in the Riverbend community.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), the newly appointed chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, sent a letter to his colleagues inviting them to reintroduce any legislation that Villivalam’s predecessor refused to give an open hearing.

“It has been widely reported that the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee from 2009 to October of 2019 conducted meetings and approached policy, as it relates to transportation issues, without making the public good and/or public policy his top priority,” Villivalam said. “As the new chair, I have vowed to create and implement an open, transparent and accountable process for legislation that will maintain and improve our transportation and infrastructure system in a data-driven, equitable way.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) took a moment to rise on the Senate floor Thursday to honor and recognize the victims of Wednesday’s shooting at the Molson Coors plant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Morrison asked the body to take a moment of silence to honor the victims of the tragedy.

Below are the senator’s floor remarks:

“Yesterday, five people tragically lost their lives in Milwaukee after a man opened fire on the Molson Coors plant before turning the gun on himself.

“Such violence is senseless. Six families went to bed last night mourning the loss of a loved one. Those families, and all the families who have lost someone to gun violence, need us right now.

“We can all recognize these tragic events are happening far too regularly. No one should have to fear for their safety when they go to school, the grocery store or even work. When will we have enough?

“I ask that you please stand silently for a moment of reflection and respect. Words do not adequately express the tremendous grief I feel as I have to make this speech once again.”