COLLINSVILLE, Ill – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, supported a measure to provide resources on mental health for first responders by requiring the Illinois Department of Human Service (DHS) to create an online database and resource page.

“Around 85% of first responders suffer mental health issues from their work,” said Stuart. “Additionally, mental health issues are stigmatized which prevents many first responders from seeking proper care. We needed to broaden the availability of resources for first responders who have quietly been dealing with personal trauma.”

Stuart sponsored Senate Bill 1575, which requires that DHS create a new online database with resources geared towards crisis services, trauma information, stress reduction, anxiety, depression and suicide prevention for first responders. The governor signed the measure into law on Aug. 12.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, and these jobs place a strain on workers’ mental health,” continued Stuart. “By expanding the availability of information on mental health, especially for first responders, we are increasing access to resources to help them maintain their mental health.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Hotel and motel employees would receive training on how to recognize instances of human trafficking under legislation sponsored by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, which passed  the House on Wednesday.

“Curbing human trafficking has been an important issue for me since I took office in 2017,” Stuart said. “Giving hotel and motel workers the resources to spot human trafficking activity and alert the appropriate authorities will help bring perpetrators to justice.”

Stuart’s House Bill 3101 creates the Lodging Establishment Human Trafficking Recognition Training Act.  Employees of lodging establishments like hotels and motels will receive training to be on the front lines of identifying and alerting authorities of human trafficking operations.  Under this legislation, the Department of Labor will develop a training curriculum that will give lodging employees the skills to recognize human trafficking and the protocols for reporting such activity to law enforcement. Human trafficking is one of the most under-reported crimes across the United States.

“This legislation is important because it gives employees the tools they need to take an active role in human trafficking prevention,” continued Stuart. “We need to be doing more as a state to prevent human trafficking, and this legislation will prepare a new line of defense for protecting victims.”

House Bill 3101 passed the House with bipartisan support and now moves to the Senate for consideration.