Illinois State Senator Laura Ellman

New Ellman law makes fentanyl test strips accessible and cost-free

Details: Friday, August 09, 2024 03:46 PM

SPRINGFIELD – Enhancing mitigation efforts for the opioid crisis, State Senator Laura Ellman spearheaded a law to expand access to free fentanyl test strips.

“Opioids, including fentanyl, are responsible for a majority of overdose-related deaths across the state, and it is our responsibility to ensure residents have resources to protect themselves,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This law will help prevent unexpected overdoses due to fentanyl-laced substances.”

The new law establishes and authorizes programs to distribute fentanyl test strips to promote harm reduction efforts and prevent overdoses. Fentanyl test strips can be used to detect the presence of fentanyl in a variety of substances, as fentanyl can be easily disguised and difficult to see with the naked eye.

Ellman to enhance money transmissions in Illinois under new law

Details: Friday, August 09, 2024 03:43 PM

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.

Illinois to see less light pollution thanks to new Ellman law

Details: Friday, August 09, 2024 03:41 PM

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.

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

Details: Friday, August 09, 2024 03:36 PM

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.