By working with federal authorities, the Chicago Police Department will have more access to resources which will help bring criminals to justice

- Sen. William Delgado

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Chicago, Illinois – State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) is proud to support Mayor Emanuel’s efforts to create a state and federal partnership that will help reduce violence in local communities.

"We need to work together to reduce violence and gun crimes throughout our neighborhoods," stated Senator Delgado. "By working with federal authorities, the Chicago Police Department will have more access to resources which will help bring criminals to justice."

SPRINGFIELD, IL –Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) is proud to announce that the Governor's Office has finally released funding dollars for the "Safe Routes to School" program.

A bill sponsored by State Senator Ed Maloney (D-Chicago) to require sex offenders or sexual predators at higher education institutions in Illinois to register with the institution as well as local law enforcement has been signed by the Governor.

"Universities and community colleges need to know if offenders are working or enrolled in their midst to ensure protection for students, faculty, and children in campus daycare centers," Senator Maloney said. "Public safety and security officers can use this information to prevent those living and working on campus from becoming victims."

Institutions’ public safety departments were previously prepared for reports of sexual offenses and penalties but did not necessarily know if potential offenders may be working on campus or attending classes. House Bill 295 (now Public Act 07-0155) now requires sex offenders or predators to register with public safety or security at any school in Illinois where they either are employed or attending classes. An offender must register if he or she is employed at or attends the institution for a period of five or more days at a time or for a total of 30 days out of the year.

"We believe anyone on a college campus in Illinois should know their law enforcement agencies are aware of potential offenders on campus," Maloney said. "This new law can provide campus security officials with another tool to help protect all age groups on the campuses they serve."

Public Act 07-0155 takes effect immediately.

State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) passed significant safety legislation out of the Senate recently that will allow the Illinois Attorney General to investigate certain sex crimes for victims under the age of 18, including sexual exploitation of a child and child pornography. Senate Bill 1035 also allows the Illinois Attorney General and local State’s Attorneys to issue limited subpoenas to investigate these crimes.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator AJ Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) has passed a bill that provides legal immunity to people who make good faith efforts to save lives using CPR.

"If I had a loved one who was suffering from a heart attack, I would want anyone trained in CPR to try to help," Wilhelmi said. "It would truly be tragic if an individual trained in CPR was afraid to try to save someone’s life because he or she was afraid of being held legally responsible."

SPRINGFIELD, IL –State Senator AJ Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) has passed legislation that should help ensure that grieving friends and family members are not disturbed by protesters at funerals. House Bill 180 expands on the "Let Them Rest in Peace Act" by pushing funeral protesters back an additional 100 feet from funerals.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) passed significant safety legislation out of the Senate today that strengthens the penalties for those accused of financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability.

"By increasing the fines for financial exploitation, we are sending the message that we are serious about protecting our seniors and those with disabilities," Hutchinson said. "Anyone who has heard a story about or been a victim of this type of scheme knows how financially and emotionally devastating this can be."

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator William Haine (D – Alton) has passed a measure on the Senate floor to prohibit convicted drug offenders from possessing or purchasing ingredients used in the production of methamphetamine.

"The Attorney General’s office and the State Police brought this bill to me as a way to fight meth use," Haine stated. "This bill will help curb the use of this destructive drug in Illinois."

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Last October, a Chicago Tribune article detailed the horrific story of Rebecca Mercado, a Joliet resident who fell victim to a two-day torture and beating at the hands of her then-husband. Illinois State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) today passed legislation through the Senate in an effort to strengthen penalties for abusers.

For two days in July 2009, Mercado suffered through constant torture when her then-husband held her hostage in their Joliet home and beat her repeatedly with a metal broom and a piece of wood until she passed out on the kitchen floor and police arrived.

CHICAGO, IL – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) passed several measures out of the Senate this week focusing on better health practices, safety and well-being.

To address the problem of concussions suffered by high school, college and professional athletes, Senate Bill 150 requires student athletes and their parents or guardians to sign their school district’s concussion and head injury policy before participating in practice or interscholastic competition. By creating the Protecting Our Student Athletes Act, the measure also requires each school district to use Illinois High School Association education materials to educate coaches, student athletes, and parents and guardians of student athletes about the nature and risk of concussions and head injuries, including continuing play after a concussion or head injury.