SPRINGFIELD – Young adults in Illinois Department of Corrections custody could soon see new educational opportunities thanks to a measure led by State Senator Laura Murphy.

“As a state, we have a duty to ensure young adults in custody have the tools they need to thrive when they return to their communities,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “Emerging adults deserve a fresh start when they leave custody, and this measure will put them on the path to successful reintegration.”

The measure allows the Department of Juvenile Justice to establish emerging adult programs for individuals ages 18 to 21 who have been committed to the Illinois Department of Corrections. This would allow qualifying 18- to 21 year-olds to transfer to DJJ facilities to participate in developmentally appropriate educational services as well as holistic services. These services include individual or group therapy, case management, vocational training and higher education opportunities.

Program participants would have to qualify based on eligibility criteria set up by the DJJ and IDOC. Transfer policies and procedures would be established by an intergovernmental agreement set by the two agencies.

“We need to ensure that young adults in custody receive the educational services that they are entitled to, and to give them necessary tools so they don’t reoffend,” Murphy said. “They need to be prepared for when they reenter their communities. By providing them with developmentally appropriate services, they will have a greater chance to find their footing, which will also contribute to a lower rate of recidivism.”

Senate Bill 426 passed the Senate Thursday. It now goes to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes is leading an effort in the Senate to establish insurance coverage for treating menopause symptoms without regard to whether the onset was natural or surgical. Holmes’ measure, House Bill 5295, passed the Senate Insurance Committee on Tuesday.

Menopause happens when an individual’s estrogen and progesterone hormone levels begin to fall. If it begins naturally, symptoms arise over time; if it is a result of surgery, those effects start very quickly after the procedure.

“In either event or at whatever age, hormonal changes can bring on complications that affect our overall health and well-being. As estrogen drops, bone density can decrease and cardiovascular risks can rise,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “Menopause therapies are prescribed regardless of the onset reason and must be covered either way.”

SPRINGFIELD — People in need of physical therapy could soon have more freedom and flexibility to choose where and how they receive care under a measure led by State Senator Cristina Castro.

“Access to physical therapy can make all the difference for someone recovering from an injury or seeking to relieve chronic pain,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “We also know that telehealth has been a game-changer, helping connect thousands of people to health care providers during and after the pandemic by making it more accessible.”

Castro’s measure would join Illinois with 23 other states that have permanently allowed physical therapists to provide telehealth services. Illinois allowed physical therapists to provide telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the state has not passed legislation enabling them to continue this practice.

SPRINGFIELD – Standing alongside advocates from various health care organizations as well as the State Bar Association at a press conference Wednesday, State Senator Julie Morrison outlined her initiative to create a state electronic registry which will store treatment preferences for critically ill individuals.

“How much or how little treatment a person gets at their end-of-life should be up to each individual instead of the one-size-fits-all approach,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This measure will enable physicians to access forms detailing patients’ wishes in a single, accessible location.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) advanced legislation through the Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety on Wednesday to create the Uniform Statewide Crime Statistics Task Force.

“This legislation is a public safety win for both residents and law enforcement,” said Edly-Allen. “By bringing law enforcement agencies, academics, and experts together, the task force members will work together to help respond to the needs of neighborhoods and communities across Lake County and our state.”

House Bill 2323 will create the Uniform Statewide Crime Statistics Task Force. The group would meet at least quarterly to assist the State Police in the development and implementation of an integrated software system for gathering and publishing crime data from all law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

SPRINGFIELD — A longtime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, State Senator Mattie Hunter declared May 1, 2024 as AKA Day in Illinois in recognition of the sorority’s history of uplifting women, building friendships and giving back to the community.

“Alpha Kappa Alpha is a cornerstone of the African American community, providing a platform for service and sisterhood,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Throughout the country and beyond, AKA chapters play an important role in empowering Black women, equipping them with the skills and support needed to become leaders of positive change.”

Founded in 1908 at Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha is the oldest African American sorority in the United States. With over 360,000 members in chapters across the world, AKA’s mission is to cultivate scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and friendship among college women, help alleviate problems concerning women, maintain a progressive interest in college life and be of “service to all mankind.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would promote a more bilingual health care workforce by expanding opportunities for Spanish-speakers to become certified nursing assistants.

“Bilingual health care workers are an extremely important asset in our communities considering the diversity of our state,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Effective communication between patients and health care providers is essential for people to understand their treatment and advocate for their care.”

House Bill 5218 would require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to create rules to offer the nursing assistant certification exam in Spanish. The measure would also prevent restrictions on eligibility for individuals seeking to take the exam in Spanish.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure students across the state are kept safe and treated with respect at school, State Senator Adriane Johnson is leading a measure to address corporal punishment against students in private and non-public schools.

“Corporal punishment should never be used in schools. It is not only harmful physically, but it also teaches children that violence is an acceptable way to solve problems,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “Illinois students deserve equal protection under the law, no matter where they attend school.”

House Bill 4175 would prohibit the use of corporal and physical punishment in all schools in Illinois, except the use of certain restraints in specific circumstances to prevent a student from imminently harming themselves or others. Currently, physical punishment is only explicitly prohibited in public schools. Johnson’s measure would extend the prohibition to all private and non-public schools.