SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Rachel Ventura is spearheading a new measure to expand greater access to broadband at all public schools and libraries in the state.

“The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the crucial need for all Illinoisans to have access to broadband,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “High-speed internet is at the forefront of all parts of life – from work to school, and everything in between.”

Senate Bill 851 would require the Broadband Advisory Council to conduct a feasibility study to determine best practices for expanding connection to all public schools, public libraries and state-owned correctional facilities, as well as how to connect to all remaining anchor institutions to the Illinois Century Network. The study will be due Jan. 1, 2024, with a goal of implementing the findings by 2030 and would increase speeds up to 1 gig.  

The Illinois Century Network is a state-owned and operated broadband network that provides Internet connectivity for thousands of sites statewide, ensuring high availability for cloud-based content, disaster recovery services, data, video and audio communications.

“We must mend the digital divide facing far too many communities in Illinois,” said Ventura. “Our goal is to move the state forward toward greater inclusivity and accessibility.”

Senate Bill 851 passed through the Senate on Thursday and moves to House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine’s legislation to eliminate hurdles HMO patients face when seeking treatment by medical specialists passed the Senate on Thursday, moving it one step closer to becoming law.

“The current HMO system can cause serious delays for people who need specialized care, which can lead to adverse health effects,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This new measure will ensure patients can get the care they need as soon as possible to allow them to start feeling healthy again.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin passed legislation out of the Senate that would help stop parents who do not have primary custody of their child from skipping on child support payments.

"This initiative is crucial as it will facilitate the tracking and accountability of parents who refuse to pay their child support," said Halpin (D-Rock Island). "This is a positive step towards guaranteeing that children receive the necessary resources."

House Bill 3301 would include independent contractors in the definition of "employee" so that anyone who reports income on 1099 forms as an independent contractor would be reported to the National Directory of New Hires registry. The registry was established in 1996 to help track parents who are delinquent on child support payments across state lines.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to fill a significant gap in current Illinois law by giving victims of doxing a voice in deterring bad actors looking to take advantage of the evolving cyber landscape.

“It is absolutely critical for our laws to evolve with the changing nature of the cyber world,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This legislation provides a necessary solution to the dangerous practice of doxing, by both helping victims and deterring future bad actors.”

To give victims of doxing the justice they deserve, Morrison passed House Bill 2954. The measure would allow people a civil private right of action against the individual who committed the offense. The victim could recover damages and any other appropriate relief, including attorney’s fees.

SPRINGFIELD – Working across the aisle and in tandem with law enforcement, State Senator Michael E. Hastings championed a measure to help police and sheriffs quickly track stolen vehicles.

“We have technology at our fingertips to allow us to track carjackers as they travel from Point A to Point B – there’s no reason we shouldn’t be utilizing it,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Law enforcement officers are ready to help. It’s vital we give them the tools to do so.”

Carjackings are on the rise. Yet under current law, law enforcement officers have little to no ability to access real time tracking information.

The all-too-common occurrence led Hastings to pass House Bill 2245, which requires Illinois car manufacturers to establish a 24/7 hotline for police and consumers to utilize in case of a carjacking or kidnapping. This would give police real-time assistance with locating vehicles – allowing them to find the perpetrator and arrest them before they get away.

SPRINGFIELD – Advocating for technical innovation around the Capitol today, Senate Democrats met with students from all over the state to learn about their part in the Students for Innovation Advocacy Day alongside the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance.

“We need to help foster this kind of education around the state as children are increasingly learning about computers and coding at an early age,” said State Senator Javier Cervantes (D-Chicago). “The bright and talented youth in Illinois need our support to make tools available for them to use and learn from.”

Students and teachers from around the state traveled to Springfield for the Students for Innovation Advocacy Day to show Illinois lawmakers the innovative topics and projects being worked on in their classrooms every day. The Illinois Digital Educators Alliance hopes to give these students and educators a platform to exemplify the importance of the innovative learning they do.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is spearheading a measure to make Native American history a requirement for all public elementary and high school students.

“Native American history is American history, and it has been overlooked for far too long,” said Glowiak Hilton (D – Western Springs). “Our history classes should be more representative of our nation’s origins.”

House Bill 1633 would require public schools to make Native American history part of curriculum. Teachings would include the study of the genocide of and discrimination against Native Americans, as well as tribal sovereignty, treaties made between tribal nations and the United States, and the circumstances around forced Native American relocation.

SPRINGFIELD – To help ensure that saving a life does not come at the cost of employment, State Senator Ram Villivalam passed legislation to give employees up to ten days of paid leave for serving as an organ donor.

"We have outstanding residents in Illinois who are ready to give and donate to those in need," said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “When someone goes to donate an organ for a person in need, it is crucial they are able to take time off to recover."

House Bill 3516 changes the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act to the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act to allow employees to take up to ten days of earned leave in any 12-month period to serve as an organ donor. The earned leave would apply to employees of any unit of local government, board of election commissioners, or private employer in Illinois with 51 or more employees.