Press Releases

SPRINGFIELD – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide was the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-14 and 25-34 in the United States, underscoring growing concerns about the role online platforms and AI systems can play in vulnerable users’ mental health crises. To increase protections aimed at preventing self-harm, State Senator Laura Ellman moved legislation to establish safety standards for artificial intelligence companion chatbots, including sexually explicit interactions with minors.

 “For many users, especially children and teens, these systems can feel deeply personal and emotionally real,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “People deserve transparency about when they are interacting with AI, and parents deserve reassurance that companies are taking reasonable steps to protect minors from harmful or sexually explicit content.”

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure that more students can get ahead academically while maintaining strong instructional standards, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced House Bill 4239, which would expand access to high school-level coursework for seventh and eighth grade students.

“This is about removing confusion for schools and opening doors for students,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “By providing more clarity, we are helping districts confidently offer more opportunities that challenge students and support their long-term success.”

SPRINGFIELD – To combat climate change and environmental degradation as well as provide food for students, State Senator Laura Ellman spearheaded legislation aimed at helping schools reduce food waste and ensure more students have access to nutritious meals during the school day.

“This is a simple, practical solution that helps schools reduce waste while making sure more students have access to the food they need to learn and thrive,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “In a state where one in eight people face food insecurity, we should be doing everything we can to make sure good food doesn’t go to waste.”

SPRINGFIELD — To provide greater flexibility for healthcare providers and businesses receiving prescription drug deliveries while maintaining safeguards for controlled substances State Senator Laura Ellman is advancing House Bill 4953, reducing burdens for businesses operating across multiple sites while preserving accountability and safety standards.

“Health care providers and businesses often operate across multiple locations, and outdated delivery rules can create unnecessary administrative hurdles,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This measure provides flexibility for non-controlled prescription drugs while keeping important protections in place for controlled substances.”