Illinois State Senator Laura Ellman

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State Senator Laura EllmanSPRINGFIELD – To ensure Illinois families are able to scatter their loved one’s ashes safely and ethically, State Senator Laura Ellman is leading a measure that would allow cremated remains to be scattered in Illinois rivers in certain circumstances.

“Losing a loved one is difficult for any family, especially when those families must handle funeral or cremation expenses while also finding time to grieve and support one another,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Some families with certain religious tenets, such as some of my Hindu constituents, must arrange for the scattering of their loved one’s remains in flowing water, but Illinois law wasn’t clear on whether that’s allowed.”

Currently, Illinois law allows for the scattering of cremated ashes in designated areas with permit approval from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The existing definition of “scattering areas” is limited to soil or ground cover. Ellman’s bill would allow families to scatter one individual’s cremated remains in a river in situations where a tenet of their faith is final disposition in a waterway.

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State Senator Laura EllmanSPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman introduced a measure to protect students, teachers and staff from radon exposure by requiring routine testing for all Illinois public schools.

“This legislation builds on previous protections to safeguard Illinoisans from life-threatening radon exposure by reinforcing safety practices for some of our most vulnerable populations – our students,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Establishing regular radon testing in public schools is necessary to mitigate the onset of harmful health complications like lung cancer, with over 21,000 radon-related lung cancer deaths reported in the nation each year.”

Radon is a naturally occurring element, but it is not immediately produced or detectable. Senate Bill 2438 would require all occupied public school buildings to test for radon by Jan. 1, 2029 and at least once every five years afterwards. Additionally, all new public schools would be built using radon-resistant construction techniques in accordance with the American National Standards Institute and the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists.

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State Senator Laura EllmanSPRINGFIELD – Following Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) issued the following statement:

“I am pleased by the Governor’s proposed budget, which not only lays out a clear path toward addressing our state’s fiscal realities, but also prioritizes the key issues that matter most to Illinois residents. This budget recognizes the critical need for fiscal responsibility while ensuring we protect Illinois from harmful policies and overreach from the federal administration.

“As we work toward a balanced budget, it’s crucial that we focus on affordability for working families. I am encouraged by the Governor’s continued commitment to improving access to affordable health care and housing – issues that are vitally important to so many residents. By prioritizing these areas, we take concrete steps toward reducing economic insecurity and making our state a more accessible place to live.

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State Senator Laura EllmanSPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman supported a measure to strengthen protections for domestic violence survivors by streamlining the process to allow firearms to be inaccessible for individuals subject to emergency restraining orders.

“Domestic-related gun violence is a devastating reality that leaves lasting scars on families and communities,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Adding this layer of protection for those at risk is a critical preventative measure to safeguard the most vulnerable. I’m proud of this bipartisan legislation my colleagues and I have passed to take meaningful action and address this crisis directly. But our work is far from done, and we must remain committed to preventing further harm.”

House Bill 4144, or Karina’s Law, would strengthen firearm removal requirements when domestic violence protection orders are issued. Under the bill, law enforcement would be required to remove firearms from individuals whose FOID cards are revoked due to emergency restraining orders within 96 hours of a judge’s order. This measure establishes clear guidelines for enforcement, ensuring consistent application statewide and addressing the risks posed by firearms in domestic violence situations.

More Articles …

  1. Ellman announces local schools will receive over $915,000 in evidence-based funding
  2. Ellman law to expand fentanyl education for grades 6-12
  3. New Ellman law increases transparency at life care facilities
  4. Ellman legislation for Women in Technology Task Force signed into law

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Contact Info

District Office
24W500 Maple Ave., Suite 215
Naperville, IL 60540
Phone: (630) 601-9961

Springfield Office
Stratton Office Building
Section C, Room D
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: (217) 782-8192