Latest Updates:
![Hernandez’s New Law Expands Access to Care for People with Disabilities](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Hernandez-214x300.jpg)
Hernandez’s New Law Expands Access to Care for People with Disabilities
CICERO, Ill. – More family members will be able to serve as caregivers for people with disabilities under a new law enacted by state Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, expanding eligibility and benefits for in-home personal assistants.
![Scherer Applauds Memorial of Springfield Mental Health Pioneer, Continues to Fight for Access to Healthcare](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Scherer.jpg)
Scherer Applauds Memorial of Springfield Mental Health Pioneer, Continues to Fight for Access to Healthcare
DECATUR, Ill. – State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is commending the decision to name a Springfield mental health center after Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard, a local advocate for women and mental healthcare.
![Avelar to Accept James Monroe Smith Founder Award for Promoting Improved Access to Health Care](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Avelar.jpg)
Avelar to Accept James Monroe Smith Founder Award for Promoting Improved Access to Health Care
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Healthcare advocates are honoring state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, with the James Monroe Smith Founder Award, for her work helping connect uninsured patients in Illinois hospitals with sources of coverage and financial aid.
![Avelar to Accept James Monroe Smith Founder Award for Promoting Improved Access to Health Care](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Avelar.jpg)
Avelar Law Aims to Improve Cultural Competency in Health Care
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Health care professionals will regularly train in best practices for working with patients of diverse backgrounds under a new law introduced by state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook.
![Gong-Gershowitz Bill Holding Gun Manufacturers Accountable Signed into Law](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Gong-Gershowitz.jpg)
Gong-Gershowitz Bill Holding Gun Manufacturers Accountable Signed into Law
GLENVIEW, Ill. – Gun manufacturers who recklessly market firearms as tools for unlawful violence and paramilitary activity can now be held liable for their actions in court following a new law passed by state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview.
![Walsh Laments Veto of Senate Bill 76, Sees a Future for Nuclear Power](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Walsh.jpg)
Walsh Laments Veto of Senate Bill 76, Sees a Future for Nuclear Power
JOLIET, Ill. – House Public Utilities Committee Chairman Larry Walsh issued the following statement after Gov. Pritzker’s Friday morning veto of Senate Bill 76:
![Hirschauer: Assault Weapons Ruling Upholds the Work Neighbors Sent Me to Do](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Hirschauer.jpg)
Hirschauer: Assault Weapons Ruling Upholds the Work Neighbors Sent Me to Do
WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer released the following statement Friday after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld legislation she worked to pass banning the sale of assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and rapid-fire modifications:
![LaPointe Bills Signed into Law, Expanding Access to Mental Health Services](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/LaPointe.jpg)
LaPointe Bills Signed into Law, Expanding Access to Mental Health Services
CHICAGO – A pair of bills spearheaded by state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, to connect more residents with mental health support and transform the state’s approach to children’s behavioral health are now law.
![Ammons Landmark Measure to Promote Higher Education Programs for Incarnated Individuals Signed into Law](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ammons.jpg)
Ammons Landmark Measure to Promote Higher Education Programs for Incarnated Individuals Signed into Law
URBANA, Ill. – Legislation passed by state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, will assist people who have been incarcerated with building new skills and advancing their higher education.
![Canty Measure to Promote Salary Transparency, Equal Pay Signed into Law](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Canty.jpg)
Canty Measure to Promote Salary Transparency, Equal Pay Signed into Law
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — A measure spearheaded by state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, that promotes equal pay by requiring employers with 15 or more employees to include the pay scale in job postings, was signed into law on Friday.
![Speaker Welch: Assault Weapons Ruling Shows that Safety Isn’t Subject to the Veto of the Gun Lobby](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Welch.jpg)
Speaker Welch: Assault Weapons Ruling Shows that Safety Isn’t Subject to the Veto of the Gun Lobby
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch released the following statement Friday after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld House Democrats’ law banning the sale of assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and rapid-fire modifications:
![Stava-Murray Issues Statement on Assault Weapons Ban Being Upheld by Illinois Supreme Court](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Stava-Murray.jpg)
Stava-Murray Issues Statement on Assault Weapons Ban Being Upheld by Illinois Supreme Court
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – Following the statewide assault weapons ban signed into law earlier this year being upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court on Friday, state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Downers Grove, issued the following statement:
![Mason Applauds Gov. Pritzker’s Veto of Nuclear Expansion](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Mason.jpg)
Mason Applauds Gov. Pritzker’s Veto of Nuclear Expansion
GURNEE, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, issued this response following Gov. Pritzker’s veto of legislation that would have reduced regulation on new nuclear power facilities:
![Rep. Barbara Hernandez Responds to Illinois Supreme Court Upholding Assault Weapons Ban](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Hernandez-B.jpg)
Rep. Barbara Hernandez Responds to Illinois Supreme Court Upholding Assault Weapons Ban
AURORA, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, issued the following response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision that the assault weapons ban passed earlier this year is constitutional:
![Slaughter Celebrates Illinois Supreme Court Decision Upholding the Protect Illinois Communities Act](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Slaughter.jpg)
Slaughter Celebrates Illinois Supreme Court Decision Upholding the Protect Illinois Communities Act
CHICAGO – House Judiciary Criminal Committee Chairman Justin Slaughter issued the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld commonsense gun control measures:
![Rep. Buckner Responds to Illinois Supreme Court Upholding Assault Weapons Ban](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Buckner.jpg)
Rep. Buckner Responds to Illinois Supreme Court Upholding Assault Weapons Ban
CHICAGO – State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, issued this statement following the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision that the assault weapons ban passed earlier this year was legal:
![Stava-Murray Issues Statement on Assault Weapons Ban Being Upheld by Illinois Supreme Court](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Stava-Murray.jpg)
Stava-Murray’s New Health Care Efficiency Law Aims to Reduce Costs by Streamlining Data Sharing
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In a step toward more affordable health care and more efficient data sharing, state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Downers Grove, has enacted a new law eliminating a longstanding bureaucratic redundancy related to state health care information.
![Manley-Backed Bill Implementing Full-Day Kindergarten Signed into Law](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Manley_N.jpg)
Manley-Backed Bill Implementing Full-Day Kindergarten Signed into Law
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – In order to ensure that young students have the educational support they need to succeed, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, helped pass legislation requiring public schools to institute full-day kindergarten over the next four years which was signed into law last week by Gov. JB Pritzker.