Carbondale Reporter

Legislation Signed to Support Child Victims of Human Trafficking

Legislation signed into law on July 19 aims to aid child victims of human trafficking in healing and moving on with their lives following their trauma.

House Bill 5465 enhances previous legislation by simplifying the process for child trafficking victims to expunge or seal juvenile records resulting from any compelled criminal actions while under abuse. The bill received unanimous support in both chambers during the spring session.

Senate Republicans are actively promoting awareness about human trafficking and urge anyone with information on potential cases to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 to report suspicious activities in their communities.

Legislation Empowers Sheriffs in 9-1-1 Emergency Systems

Legislation enabling sheriffs to play a pivotal role in Illinois’ 9-1-1 emergency systems was recently signed into law.

House Bill 5128 amends the Emergency Telephone System Act to explicitly recognize sheriffs as eligible members of local 9-1-1 boards, ensuring their insights and leadership contribute to vital functions.

The Senate sponsor noted that the legislation was crafted to recognize the expertise and insights of law enforcement officers by integrating them into the decision-making processes. 9-1-1 boards are deeply involved in planning, implementing, and maintaining local 9-1-1 systems.

House Bill 5128 received unanimous support in both chambers earlier this spring and was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on July 19.

Illinois Grapples with Surge in Tornado Activity

This year, Illinois has experienced more than 100 tornado incidents, doubling the state’s typical annual average.

The recent outbreak underscores escalating weather volatility in the region. Notably, earlier this month, the National Weather Service in Chicago issued 16 tornado warnings in a single day, the highest number since 2004.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) warns residents that severe weather can occur at any time of the year. They emphasize that preparing for floods, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms before they strike is important for safety.

Senate Republicans are urging Illinois residents to be prepared for severe weather. For more information on how to prepare for all hazards, visit the IEMA website for resources and guidelines.

Bryant’s Small Town Tour Part Two

State Senator Terri Bryant has finished the first half of her 2024 Small Town Tour and is set to begin the final set of events in August.

Sen. Bryant was joined by State Representative David Friess for the first set of events. During those events, Sen. Bryant heard from constituents about their concerns regarding illegal immigration, an increase in crime, rising inflation, and more.

Sen. Bryant will be joined for the second half of her tour by State Representative Dave Severin, which begins on August 20th. In total, Sen. Bryant will make 13 stops over seven days during the tour.