NAPERVILLE, Ill. – A new law sponsored by state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, will better connect parents and guardians of students with developmental disabilities with state resources.

“It is crucial that students with developmental disabilities and their families are aware of the resources and state services available to them,” said Yang Rohr. “The state’s Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services database, or PUNS list, is a critical tool that parents of children with developmental disabilities can enroll in to be alerted when there is state funding, services or support that is available to them. While some schools may already be informing parents of the PUNS list, a new law we passed will ensure that all eligible families are made aware.”  

Yang Rohr sponsored House Bill 290, which requires school districts to provide parents and guardians of a student with developmental disabilities with the Department of Human Services (DHS) guide on services in the PUNS database, including eligibility and enrollment and other frequently asked questions. The DHS guide is also available for download at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27897/documents/Brochures/4313.pdf. Yang Rohr’s bill passed both the Illinois House or Representatives and the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and was recently signed into law by the governor.

“Trying to get services for children with developmental disabilities can be daunting and onerous, but Illinois’ PUNS list is a tool that can help streamline the process,” said Yang Rohr. “I am proud to have sponsored this measure that will ensure that every school district in the state is connecting students and parents with helpful resources, removing a burden for many families with developmentally impaired children.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A new law backed by state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, will expand treatment options for teens with psychological problems by requiring the Department of Human Services (DHS) to make a database of resources about mental health care available to teachers, school workers, parents and anyone around troubled teens.  

“Our kids should never have to face mental health conditions alone,” Halpin said. “We need to give them as much support as possible, but we also need information from professionals who know how to handle these situations. Teachers and parents, friends and anyone else who knows a kid who is struggling with a problem like depression or who has to deal with daily bullying; they have to know the best ways to help.”

Halpin supported House Bill 907, which requires DHS to make a database of information on mental health treatment options available on their website for parents, teachers, school social workers and any others who might be able to provide help. The goal is to create an environment of information sharing and understanding about the underlying causes and treatments for bullying, depression and other problems which can lead to school shootings and suicide. Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed this legislation into law.

“After a tragedy, we can often look back and see a point, frequently multiple points, where informed intervention by a friend or teacher or parent could have averted disaster,” Halpin said. “This legislation will give those people the tools to help their friend or student or son when it’s most important. Kids dealing with mental health issues need our support, and we have to give it to them.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Greg Harris issued the following statement regarding the governor’s practice of paying top administration officials out of state agency budgets and his recent devastating cuts to the Department of Human Services budget:

“Governor Rauner has made a habit of taking money from state agencies to pay for the high salaries of his administration officials. His recently departed Education Secretary Beth Purvis was paid $250,000 a year out of the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) budget.

“While the governor is dipping into state agency budgets to pay for the huge salaries of his top administration officials, he has pursued a destructive agenda of drastic cuts to vital agency programs—it’s not right.

“Just recently, Governor Rauner announced a new round of devastating cuts to essential DHS initiatives like after school programs and the autism program. I’m calling for his administration to restore the salary of Secretary Purvis to the DHS budget to provide relief from his devastating cuts that harm our most vulnerable kids, seniors, and people with disabilities.”