SPRINGFIELD – Illinois students from middle school through high school will learn about the dangers of fentanyl at the start of the 2025-2026 school year, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Laura Ellman.
“Drug overdoses leave families heartbroken and can escalate quickly without immediate, proper care,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Educating our youth – the future of our families and communities – about fentanyl’s serious health risks and how to care for those facing misuse will prevent patterns of abuse across the state.”
The Illinois Department of Public Health states a lethal dose of fentanyl is smaller than a drop of water. Opioids, including fentanyl, heroin and other drugs, are involved in 70% of fatal drug overdoses.
Read more: Ellman law to expand fentanyl education for grades 6-12
SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to ensure transparency between residents and life care facilities, State Senator Laura Ellman sponsored a law to expand pre-sale disclosures to consumers purchasing a refundable life care contract.
“When seniors move into these life care facilities, they expect their beneficiaries and loved ones will have their expenses taken care of after they pass,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “To mitigate unexpected financial risk, this law will create a transparent disclosure agreement for seniors to be better informed of what they are signing.”
This law requires a provider to give consumers a pre-sale disclosure notice that specifies the refund procedure and other data points regarding how many entry fees have been refunded by the provider and how many refunded entry fees are outstanding Further, the law requires providers, who intend to repurpose the living unit, to give the beneficiaries an opportunity to acknowledge and agree to the reappropriation and the specific date of the change.
Read more: New Ellman law increases transparency at life care facilities
SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to recruit and retain women in technology, State Senator Laura Ellman championed a law establishing a task force to review data and recommend changes within the state.
“Women from my district worked diligently on this legislation, and I am very proud their efforts helped lead to its successful passage,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This law reflects our dedication to bolstering our modern workforce with equitable standards and giving equal opportunities to women who help us advance in technology.”
Ellman’s law creates the Women in Technology Task Force to study the recruitment and retention of women in technology positions by collecting and evaluating data, identifying best practices and recommending policies to recruit, advance and retain women in technology positons. The task force will deliver a final report to the governor and General Assembly by Dec. 1, 2028.
Read more: Ellman legislation for Women in Technology Task Force signed into law
SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to address critical water issues across the state and enhance current protections to fulfill existing water needs, State Senator Laura Ellman championed a law to create the State Water Plan Task Force.
“Over time, contaminants in our waterways pose serious health risks to communities and wildlife,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “We need to ensure existing and future water concerns are addressed consequentially without any delays.”
This law requires the State Water Plan Task Force to address water issues and reevaluate environmental needs by assisting state and local authorities in the implementation of recommended plans. Further, it requires the task force to publish a State Water Plan at least once every 10 years and meet once per quarter each calendar year.
Read more: Ellman law strengthens water protections for Illinois
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