SPRINGFIELD – To offer clarity for patients and pharmacies, State Senator Laura Ellman is sponsoring a measure to ease restrictions on medication containing ephedrine – a drug commonly used to treat allergies and low blood pressure – if it is prescribed by a physician.
“Medical providers want to give their patients the best course of treatment, but current Illinois law does not make it clear if physicians can lawfully prescribe a drug containing ephedrine to treat certain conditions,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This puts providers and order pharmacies at risk of violating existing restrictions and places patients at risk of delayed care.”
To reduce the chance of abuse as a stimulant, ephedrine products are currently prohibited from being advertised in Illinois if they are labeled as enhancing stimulation, mental alertness, weight loss, appetite control, muscle enhancement, or energy. House Bill 2874 would ensure the law is clear that these restrictions do not apply to ephedrine medications that have been prescribed by a licensed physician for a legitimate medical reason.
Read more: Ellman to clarify ephedrine prescription exemptions
NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman announced seven local school districts have received over $47,000 to provide essential library resources.
“School libraries offer essential tools to help students succeed and enrich their learning experience,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Thanks to this funding, our local school libraries are receiving investments that directly support the academic future for our local youth.”
More than $1.3 million was awarded to 2,484 Illinois public school libraries through the Secretary of State’s School District Library Grant Program. Resources and services supported through the grant include library books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs.
Read more: Ellman announces over $47,000 in library grants for local school districts
NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman highlights a $1.1 million investment to provide job training for aspiring DuPage County professionals in the construction and building trades.
“DuPage County is set to receive much-needed workforce investments that will help future tradesmen and women build successful careers,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Essential resources like pre-apprenticeship programs and training will give workers the skills and tools to support them throughout their careers.”
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $19 million in grant funding through the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program to 38 organizations across the state. The purpose of the funding is to create more pathways for kids to access pre-apprenticeship programs and registered apprenticeships, which provide greater opportunities to secure lifelong careers in the construction trades. In Ellman’s district, the northeast region of the Illinois Foundation of SkillsUSA will see a total of $1.1 million to support pre-apprenticeship students.
Read more: Ellman highlights DuPage County receives $1.1 million for job training
SPRINGFIELD - For far too long, unsecured firearms in homes have led to devastating and preventable tragedies, especially among children and teenagers. In response to this ongoing crisis, State Senator Laura Ellman is championing a critical public safety measure to strengthen gun storage standards in Illinois, ensuring firearms are securely stored and kept out of the hands of minors and individuals at risk. Senate Bill 8, which passed the Senate on Thursday, would strengthen Illinois’ safe storage laws and expand protections to help keep guns out of the hands of children, at-risk individuals, and criminals.
“For far too long, we have witnessed the tragic consequences of unsecured firearms in homes,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Firearms, if left unaccounted for and unsecured, pose risks to those who shouldn’t have access to them. Firearm owners can help prevent gun-related incidents by ensuring their guns are securely stored away from others.”
Studies show that unsecured firearms, along with lost or stolen guns, are major contributors to suicides, unintentional shootings, mass shootings, and escalating crime. Nearly 54% of gun owners do not securely lock all of their firearms, and in three-fourths of school shootings, the shooter obtained the firearm from a parent or relative. Alarmingly, 82% of adolescent firearm suicides involve a gun that belonged to a family member.
Read more: Ellman to strengthen Illinois gun safety standards
Page 1 of 60