NORTHBROOK, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, continued to push for accessible medical treatment for all Illinois with his support of a new law expanding mental health care training in all schools.

“We need to ensure our schools are equipped to provide support for any students who are dealing with mental illness,” Carroll said. “Accessible health care is one of the most important things we can give to our kids, so it is critical that the people responsible for their wellbeing know how to respond to these all-too-common problems. In the past, mental health care has been treated as a secondary issue that only warrents a few trained specialists in a school. It’s time for that to change.”

Carroll sponsored Senate Bill 1731, which requires all school personnel responsible for kids in Kindergarten through 12th grade be trained to handle mental health issues. These issues include depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse, among others. This legislation receive strong bipartisan support and is now law.

“I’m committed to building a stronger, fairer Illinois, and that means providing a health care system with the resources to assist everyone,” Carroll said. “Health care isn’t limited to doctors and nurses, it includes therapists, social workers and even teachers. This law will provide our educators with the tools and training to help students facing mental illness.”

CHICAGO – Recently, state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, toured Smyser Elementary School to meet students and speak with the faculty and administration to discuss the needs of local schools.

“Visiting schools in our community is critical to understanding they needs of our local schools, and the needs of our students and teachers,” said LaPointe. “Illinois’ new balanced budget provides local public schools across the state with an additional $375 million to invest more in their students and ensure they have the best possible education provided to them. Illinois should also pass reforms like House Bill 2808 that would double a tax credit for teachers who use their own money to buy supplies, and expand on new laws like the one that raised teacher’s starting pay to $40,000. I am committed to protecting the interests of schools, teachers and students as a Representative in Springfield.”

LaPointe represents the 19th District, which covers portions of Chicago’s Big Oaks, Dunning, Gladstone Park, Jefferson Park, Portage Park, Union Ridge and West Portage Park neighborhoods, and River Grove, Elmwood Park, Norridge and Harwood Heights.

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. – State Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, recently participated in the Illinois Principals Association “Principal for a Day” program at Holmes Jr. High School in Mount Prospect, teaching students about the Illinois General Assembly and his role as a state representative.

“I had a fantastic time meeting with the students, teachers and staff at Holmes,” Walker said. “It’s always a pleasure to talk with our students about government and the importance of being engaged. They were bright and inquisitive and asked some great questions.”

Organized through the Illinois Principals Association’s “Principal for a Day” program, Walker spent the visit teaching 6th, 7th and 8th graders about the Illinois General Assembly and what being a legislator is like. Walker also met with teachers and school leaders to discuss the ongoing state of education in Illinois. Reflecting his commitment to our teachers, Walker supported legislation increasing the teacher minimum wage and has supported increased funding for our schools to hire better teachers, better care for our students and lower residential property taxes.

“We have some of the best schools in Illinois right here in our community,” Walker said. “That’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff and, of course, parents. I’d also like to thank the Illinois Principals Association for developing this educational program. I always enjoy meeting with local students. We must do all we can to help grow them into our future leaders.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, D-Chicago, issued the following statement:

“As a strong advocate for education, I stand in solidarity with our hardworking teachers and staff, as they fight for better schools and educational opportunities for Chicago students.

“The status quo is not acceptable, children in Chicago deserve better. They deserve a nurse and counselor in each and every school; they deserve libraries and librarians in every school; they deserve smaller class sizes; they deserve more special education teachers; and they deserve more bilingual teachers and classrooms.

“Our teachers and staff deserve a fair contract, with guarantees to improve our neighborhood schools clearly written out. We owe it to the children of this city to come together and reach a solution that creates better educational opportunities for each and every student at CPS.”

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. – To highlight National Principals Month and to learn more about the needs of local schools, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, recently participated in the “Principal for a Day” program at Pinckneyville Community High School.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to meet with Pinckneyville teachers and students,” said Reitz “And to see the great work Principal Tony Wilson has done despite difficulties and uncertainty with the state’s budget.”

October is National Principals Month, and is a time to honor and celebrate the hard work of principals to ensure schools succeed. Throughout the month of October, Reitz will be visiting schools throughout Southern Illinois to participate in the “Principal for a Day” program and continue discussing the needs of local schools, teachers and students. 

“Schools in Southern Illinois were hit hardest during the state’s budget impasse,” continued Reitz. “So I will continue fighting to make sure our schools and teachers receive the resources they need and that our children receive the quality education they deserve.”

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office by calling 618-282-7284 or by emailing RepNReitz@gmail.com.

CHICAGO – Continuing her efforts to advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, recently introduced legislation that would allow students eligible for special education services to remain in school through the end of the school year, even after their 22nd birthday.  

“Public school educational experiences help students with developmental disabilities transition and integrate into adult life by teaching important skills to help them live as independently as possible,” said Hurley. “I have a neighbor whose child will no longer be eligible for special education services in mid-November because he will be turning 22.  Making these students quit school in the middle of a school year is an unnecessary, abrupt change in routine.”

While in Springfield Hurley serves on the Illinois House Human Services Committee, and has prioritized legislation to improve the quality of life and expand opportunities for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.  Hurley introduced House Bill 3897, which will allow students with disabilities, who turn 22, to remain eligible for special education services even if their birthday occurs during the school year, ensuring that the student can finish the school year. Under current law, when a student with developmental disabilities turns 22 they are no longer able to receive public education services from the state.  

“Maintaining a stable environment is very important, so ensuring that students are able to finish their school year, rather than having to quit when they turn 22 would be beneficial,” continued Hurley. “I encourage the General Assembly to pass this legislation to expand educational opportunities for students with developmental disabilities, and help ensure that their transition to adult life is as smooth as possible.”

For more information, contact Hurley’s constituent service office at 773-445-8128 or RepFranHurley@gmail.com.

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville, recently served as principal for the day at Rockland Elementary School in Libertyville.

“As a former teacher, I love being able to come into a school and interact with students, and I know how important it is for them to speak face-to-face with their representatives in government,” said Edly-Allen. “Now as a legislator, I feel a responsibility to help teach children about the legislative process. I want children to know they are the future and can achieve anything they put their mind to.”

As principal for the day, Edly-Allen met with school faculty and staff to discuss ways in which the state can support local schools, and visited with students. Rep. Edly-Allen explained how a bill becomes a law and answered student questions about state government and working in the state Capitol.

CHICAGO – Continuing her efforts to enact policies to address mental health wellness and suicide prevention, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, recently passed legislation that directs school districts to offer specialized training programs to employees, to better assist students who are experiencing mental health distress or disorders.

“Understanding mental health and wellness is very important, especially during adolescence, when young people are experiencing many changes in their lives and may not know how to cope,” said Hurley. “Youth may not know where to turn when they need help. Educators and other school personnel may recognize when there is a problem, but they may not know how to address the situation.”

Hurley recently attended the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Suicide Prevention and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Policy conference, where Senate Bill 1731 and the work Illinois is doing to destigmatize mental health was highlighted. Serving as the chairperson of the Illinois House Human Services committee, Hurley has made mental health initiatives a top priority during her time in Springfield. Hurley worked to pass Senate Bill 1731, an initiative of the Illinois Association of Behavioral Health. This new law will allow school districts to use the Department of Human Services’ Illinois Mental Health First Aid training program to prepare employees on how to identify and take action for mental health issues.

Hurley’s measure follows legislation passed last year that required all licensed school personnel and administrators who work with students between kindergarten and 12th grade to be trained at least once every two years to identify the warning signs of mental illness and suicidal behavior. Under the training program, certified instructors provide employees examples of best practices to address mental health concerns, as well as how to refer cases to professional assistance if needed.

“Suicide prevention and helping young people work through mental health issues in a safe, school environment will help our students continue to succeed and grow into the productive members of society they are meant to be,” continued Hurley. “I am proud to have passed this new law, which will give school employees the tools they need to help students in crisis.”

For more information, contact Hurley’s constituent service office at 773-445-8128 or RepFranHurley@gmail.com.

EAST MOLINE, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, was at Rock Island Academy early on Friday to join in their fifth annual Million Man March and greet kids as they went to school.

“The Million Man March is a great opportunity to join in welcoming our kids to school and to help make sure they start their day off on a positive note,” Halpin said. “Our schools do an excellent job providing the children in their care with a thorough and constructive education. I’m grateful to Rock Island Academy and all the committed teachers and faculty members for the guidance they give to students. Their work is going to help us build a stronger Illinois for everybody.”

Last Friday, Halpin took part in Rock Island Academy’s Fifth Annual Million Man March, an event in which fathers go to school early to greet kids on their way to class. The goal of this event is to present kids with positive role models and a friendly face or high five to start their day.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is spotlighting a new law to increase transparency regarding school class sizes.

“Over the past four years, class sizes at Chicago Public Schools have risen over 13.5% and we need more information about the effect of this increase,” Lilly said. “This law will put critical additional information about class sizes in front of parents and the public.”

Lilly supported House Bill 254, which requires all school districts, including the Chicago Public Schools, to beginning reporting more information about class sizes to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), which will include the information on its annual Illinois Report Card, a compilation of educational metrics measured statewide as well as by individual district and individual school. Currently, the Illinois Report Card contains only the basic student to teacher ratio, but under the Lilly-backed transparency measure it will now include additional information on the total number of teachers employed by district and school, the number of class instructors by grade level and subject in each district and the class size for every class at each school and the total number of classes in each school that exceed class size guidelines.

“Parents are rightfully concerned about increasing class sizes and this law will help parents and the public have a greater understanding of class size management in our public schools,” Lilly said. “When classrooms are too crowded, teachers don’t have the time or resources to adequately see to the needs of their students. With more information available about class sizes, we can work to remedy existing problems and prevent other classrooms from becoming too crowded.”