Hunter law strengthens family-centered foster care placements

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois families will soon have greater support in caring for children involved in the foster care system, thanks to a new law led by State Senator Mattie Hunter.

“Maintaining connections to families and traditions is critical for youth in care,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “When family members step up to care for a child, they shouldn’t have to navigate complex processes to access available support or resources.”

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Preston holds press conference on Food Safety Act to highlight bipartisan support

SPRINGFIELD — Following the Senate Public Health Committee’s approval of Senate Bill 93, State Senator Willie Preston joined fellow lawmakers and advocates at a press conference to highlight his legislation to ban the use of harmful food additives.

“Consumers in Illinois should have full faith and trust in the foods and products they are consuming,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Right now, Illinoisans are consuming harmful products without realizing it. We must focus on consumer safety and offer clear directives to food manufactures in order to keep all of Illinois healthy.”

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Fine, Turner outline measures to prioritize new mothers

SPRINGFIELD — State Senators Laura Fine and Doris Turner held a press conference last week to introduce two measures that would support new mothers when it comes to feeding their babies.

“Working mothers are constantly juggling to find balance to provide for their children not only financially, but also emotionally and nutritionally,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This measure will support working mothers by providing them time to breastfeed their baby during the work day without having to risk their economic interests.”

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Sound of the State: Black History and Labor Rights in Illinois

In this Black History Month episode, State Senator Robert Peters discusses the history of African American labor movements in Illinois, his advocacy for labor rights and state efforts to support Black laborers and promote workforce equality.

Listen here.

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SPRINGFIELD – Legislation from State Senator Paul Faraci making it easier for Illinois park districts and municipal recreation departments to hire young workers for seasonal jobs and youth sports programs was signed into law.

“This change will give young people more opportunities to gain valuable work experience while helping our local park districts and recreation departments meet their seasonal staffing needs,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “It’s a win-win for our communities and teens looking to take their first steps in the workforce.”

Faraci’s measure will allow minors to work summer jobs – such as lifeguards or referees – for Illinois park districts and recreational departments without a 21-year-old present, as long as an 18-year-old is on-site and no alcohol or tobacco is being sold on the premises. It will also allow minors to officiate youth sporting events, as long as a 21-year-old supervisor is on-call.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate observed Wear Red Day at the Capitol Wednesday to bring awareness to women’s heart health.

State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) introduced Senate Resolution 23 to declare Feb. 7 as Wear Red Day in Illinois to urge all residents to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and in particular its impact on women.

“For far too long, women have been left out of research, testing and treatment despite experiencing unique life stages that increase our risk for developing cardiovascular disease during our lifetimes,” said Villa. “It is because of these gender disparities that days like today are crucial in spreading awareness on what we can do to increase support in our fight to lower the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Women at every age, stage of life and background need our support, and that is why we go red.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner has introduced two measures in response to the murder of Sonya Massey last year.

“Sonya’s death should have never happened,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Since that fatal day, I have worked with state and county officials, law enforcement and community members to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Alongside Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter, we created the Massey Commission to address systemic issues in law enforcement practices, mental health responses, and community relations. Both of these measures came directly from the commission.”

Senate Bill 1953 would require law enforcement agencies to conduct a more comprehensive review of a prospective officer’s past employment to ensure his or her physical and psychological fitness for duty as a police officer before making an offer of employment. To ensure the highest degree of integrity and professionalism in the hiring process of sheriffs’ deputies and other personnel, the legislation would expand the creation of sheriff’s merit boards and sheriff’s merits commissions for counties with a population of at least 75,000.

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced his proposal for the creation of the Chicago Water Contracts Transparency Study, a critical initiative aimed at improving water sustainability and equity for the South Suburbs.

With many suburban municipalities over-relying on the City of Chicago for water access, Hastings is calling for a comprehensive study to assess current water distribution agreements, the impact of rising water rates, and explore alternative options for local control of water resources.

“Water sustainability may seem like a distant issue, but it’s only one or two generations away,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “In 50 years, my children will be addressing the public policy regarding water in our communities. We must act now to ensure that our water supply remains reliable, affordable, and fairly distributed for generations to come.”

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois families will soon have greater support in caring for children involved in the foster care system, thanks to a new law led by State Senator Mattie Hunter.

“Maintaining connections to families and traditions is critical for youth in care,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “When family members step up to care for a child, they shouldn’t have to navigate complex processes to access available support or resources.”

House Bill 4781 — also known as the Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act — aims to reinforce family connections and improve outcomes for children in foster care. This new law will strengthen family engagement by requiring the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to notify relatives within 30 days of a child’s entry into care.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the Senate Public Health Committee’s approval of Senate Bill 93, State Senator Willie Preston joined fellow lawmakers and advocates at a press conference Wednesday to highlight his legislation to ban the use of harmful food additives.

“Consumers in Illinois should have full faith and trust in the foods and products they are consuming,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Right now, Illinoisans are consuming harmful products without realizing it. We must focus on consumer safety and offer clear directives to food manufactures in order to keep all of Illinois healthy.”

Senate Bill 93, better known as the Illinois Food Safety Act,  would ban specific, dangerous food additives from being used in the manufacturing, delivering, distributing, holding or selling of food products. These additives include potassium bromate and propylparaben.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure aimed at addressing the increase in congenital syphilis cases in Illinois. 

“As congenital syphilis continues to rise in Illinois and across the country, this bill is important in advancing syphilis testing practices to ensure the health of a baby and the individual birthing them,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “It is incredibly important to catch syphilis while it is conventional and can be treated.”

Senate Bill 119 would require the second syphilis test conducted on pregnant individuals to be done between 27 and 32 weeks of pregnancy to ensure treatment can begin at least 30 days before delivery. The measure would also expand authorization to administer the test to health care professionals who are qualified in addition to physicians.