Ellman to enhance money transmissions in Illinois under new law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman championed a law to enhance and streamline the money transmission process in Illinois by creating a uniform set of rules.

“Illinois consumers need money transmission services that follow clear, standardized regulations and demonstrate consistency across different payment companies and state lines,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This law addresses conflicting state law requirements through a transparent set of rules that will work across state lines.”

This law creates the Uniform Money Transmission Modernization Act to modernize regulations for money transmission in Illinois and aims to harmonize state licensing, regulation and supervision of money transmitters across state lines by establishing a single uniform set of supervisory rules. The law also prohibits a person from engaging in money transmission or advertising, soliciting or portraying themselves as offering money transmission services unless they are licensed or qualified for an exemption.

Read more: Ellman to enhance money transmissions in Illinois under new law

Illinois to see less light pollution thanks to new Ellman law

SPRINGFIELD – To reduce light pollution in Illinois’ dark skies, State Senator Laura Ellman sponsored a law to advance responsible outdoor lighting standards.

“Light pollution is not as often discussed as other forms of environmental contamination, but excess artificial light poses serious health threats to animals, insects and humans,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources brings us closer to making Illinois dark sky compliant, and I look forward to expanding these standards.”

Light pollution refers to the brightening of the night sky by man-made light sources, including street lights and buildings. Excessive light in our night sky causes a variety of issues, such as interfering with bird migration, nocturnal insects and our optical health.

Read more: Illinois to see less light pollution thanks to new Ellman law

Ellman to enhance housing protections for parents with a disabled adult child

SPRINGFIELD – To extend privacy to families with adult children with disabilities, State Senator Laura Ellman led a law that provides new occupancy standards for elderly parents with a disabled adult child of the opposite sex.

“I was contacted by an elderly mother living in public housing who shares a single bedroom with her disabled adult son, and I received earlier reports of residents concerned about family members of the opposite sex in this living situation,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Individuals should feel safe and have dignity living in their homes. This law ensures these families are able to live in a space that meets their unique circumstances.”

This law provides that an elderly parent and an adult child with disabilities of the opposite sex are not required to occupy subsidized housing with only one bedroom. The law also requires the local housing authority to make exceptions to their occupancy standards in these situations, as long as all other eligibility requirements are met.

Read more: Ellman to enhance housing protections for parents with a disabled adult child

Ellman commends priority investments, but seeks future financial stability

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman released the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget with continued investments in K-12 education and mental health care services:

“We continue to fulfill our commitments, such as evidence based K-12 funding and pension payments, and I'm glad we’ve passed a balanced budget, and even added to our Rainy Day Fund,” said Ellman, “yet there are areas that concern me about sustaining a narrow surplus like this long term, or resiliency through an economic downturn.”