SPRINGFIELD –With major investments appropriated to improve mental health care across the state, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) was pleased to support the Fiscal Year 23 budget, which was signed into law Tuesday morning.

“This budget will increase access to mental and behavioral health care for people struggling throughout the state,” Senator Fine said. “The pandemic has only amplified existing mental health conditions. Prioritizing mental health care in Illinois is long overdue, but I am hopeful this budget will successfully address these shortcomings and put mental health care front and center.”

The budget includes $5 million in funding for the 9-8-8 mental health hotline. The hotline will provide crucial support services to individuals in crisis. Senator Fine’s initiative created a fund to maintain the hotline in Illinois, which will be operational in July. To ensure the hotline is a high-quality resource for all Illinoisians, the fund will help ensure financial assistance is available to hire caseworkers, operators, and provide staff training.

The budget also invests $50 million in addiction treatment, supporting people recovering from behavioral and mental health issues across the state.

“As chair of the Senate Mental and Behavioral Health Committee, I often hear from Illinoisans that their mental health needs are not taken as seriously compared to conditions impacting their physical health,” Senator Fine said. “This should not be the case. I am grateful that this budget not only invests in mental and behavioral health care, but establishes this care as a priority, letting our communities know that we are supporting them while they bravely face mental and behavioral health challenges.”

The Fiscal Year 2023 budget will take effect July 1, 2022.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is one step closer to ensuring human services professionals are provided student loan repayment assistance to encourage more people to enter this essential field through SB 3925.

“Employees in human services are required to have specialized college degrees to best serve vulnerable communities, and while this requirement is necessary, it comes with large financial sacrifices for workers,” Senator Fine said. “It is essential to break down barriers for qualified people to enter this field.”

Employees in the human services industry include welfare caseworkers, youth service providers, social workers, and many other positions specializing in working with marginalized communities. However, the industry is experiencing a shortage in employees due to a number of financial barriers. Many of these professions require a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education. Because salaries in this field tend to be less generous than in the private sector, paying off student loans can be challenging and discourage people from entering the field.

Senator Fine’s legislation encourages students to enter this rewarding and essential workforce by providing student loan repayment plans for employees of community-based human services agencies. The legislation combats the critical worker shortage for the industry and provides assistance to many current human services workers, many of whom are women and people of color.

“Human services workers are heroes providing vital care for some of our most at-risk communities,” Senator Fine said. “Offering student loan repayment assistance is the least we can do to support these brave workers.”

Senate Bill 3925 passed the Senate Thursday. It now goes to the House for further consideration.

MORTON GROVE – State Senators Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) joined administrators, staff and other officials on Monday for a groundbreaking ceremony at the Julia S. Molloy Education Center in Morton Grove.

"The Molloy School is life changing for the most vulnerable students in our district," Senator Fine said. "This expansion will allow the school to continue its incredible work of educating our children.”

“This expansion will provide students throughout our community with a quality learning environment tailored to their needs,” Villivalam said. “I am proud to stand with our youth, parents and educators that serve our community today.”

The Molloy Education Center serves P-12 students with disabilities that require services not available in their home school districts. The center is open to students across Niles Township, which includes Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Golf and Niles.

“The Julia S. Molloy Education Center has a proud history of providing high-quality instruction to meet the educational needs of the students with disabilities who have attended over the past 50 years,” said Tarin Kendrick, Executive Director of the Niles Township District for Special Education. “We are proud to be part of a community who has committed to the Molloy Renovation Project to ensure the needs of today's learners are met.”

The last addition made to the Molloy Education Center was in 1998. The new project includes an expanded gym, administrative offices, training and conference rooms, larger classrooms, functional student spaces, space for support staff and an expanded parking lot. State Senators Fine and Villivalam secured $2 million for the project as part of the Rebuild Illinois construction program.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) extended her congratulations to new Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park):

“I offer my sincere congratulations to Senator Harmon, who has been chosen to serve as President of the Illinois Senate.

“Although I am relatively new to the Senate, I know that Former President Cullerton’s leadership will be missed. Still, I am excited to see Senator Harmon take Illinois and the Senate in a new direction, and I know that his experience as a champion of many progressive causes, like health care reform and enhanced public education, will serve our state well.

“From fighting for environmental justice to ensuring all Illinoisans have access to affordable health care, I look forward to working with Senate President Harmon to enact positive change across our great state.”