SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to improve the behavioral health crisis response system, State Senator Laura Fine has passed the Strengthening and Transforming Behavioral Health Crisis Care in Illinois Act. This will ensure we have a dependable behavioral health crisis system, including the 9-8-8 hotline.

“We need to make certain Illinoisans have an effective behavioral health crisis response system that can meet their needs,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This legislation will help us assess the quality and affordability of behavioral health crisis services and as a result, make improvements to the system.”

House Bill 3230 would require an independent third party to conduct a cost analysis of a statewide initiative for the coordination and delivery of the continuum of behavioral health crisis response services in the state. Following the results of the report, a working group will develop recommendations for a cohesive behavioral health crisis response system that will be able to support the needs of Illinoisans. This would include the costs of maintaining crisis call centers, staffing, technological infrastructure enhancements and more.

GLENVIEW – During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, State Senator Laura Fine is reminding residents of available resources for survivors of domestic violence while working to educate more people on what constitutes domestic violence and abuse.

“Domestic violence has long-lasting impacts on the mental and physical health of survivors,” said Senator Fine (D-Glenview). “We need to support survivors in their journey of recovery and educate about  what healthy relationships look like to encourage people to model these standards—and be able to recognize when a relationship is turning dangerous.”

Since 1989, October has been designated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and has become a time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors and victims. Although progress has been made to reduce domestic violence, the statistics are still staggering, with 1 and 3 women and 1 in 7 men becoming victims of domestic violence throughout their lives.

“It is heartbreaking that domestic violence is still common in our society,” Fine said. “Supporting survivors is essential for their recovery, but we must also continue working to ensure no one else becomes a victim. This requires increasing the ways we educate young people about healthy relationships—as well as what to do if people notice their friends or loved ones exhibiting concerning behavior—and how to intercept.”

To learn more about the warning signs of domestic abuse, what healthy relationships look like, and how to support survivors of domestic violence, see the links below:

• Warning signs of domestic abuse
• Healthy vs. unhealthy relationships
• How to support survivors

Sen. Fine will be participating in a panel on Domestic Violence Awareness with Sen. Villivalam on Saturday, October 21st, from 12-1:30pm at the Lincolnwood Library.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text “START” to 88788. Illinois residents may also call 877-863-6338 to reach the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline.

GLENVIEW – State Senator Laura Fine announced Wednesday that several local school districts will receive grants totaling $350,000 from the Illinois State Board of Education to improve their infrastructure.

“When schools have outdated heating and cooling systems, or areas that are inaccessible, it may create challenges for academic success,” said Senator Fine (D-Glenview). “This investment will ensure that students have the learning environment that they deserve so they can perform at their highest ability.”

A total of $30 million in 2022 School Maintenance Grants was distributed to districts across the state. To be eligible for the grants, applicants were required to match the state funds and commit to completing proposed projects within two years.

Projects made possible under these grants include updates to heating and cooling, improvements to ventilation, increased accessibility throughout buildings and more. High school districts 225 and 203, as well as school districts 28, 29, 30, 37, and 38 will receive funding.

“Improving the infrastructure of schools will be transformational in students’ learning experiences—both in our district and all throughout Illinois,” Fine said. “I look forward to seeing this investment at work in schools across the community and around the state.”

A full list of grantees and awards can be viewed on the ISBE website.

SPRINGFIELD – Private insurance will now cover specialized care for children living with serious illnesses while allowing the child to seek additional treatments, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) that was recently signed into law.

“In Illinois, seriously ill children deserve consistency in high quality, child-centered care regardless of where they live and whether they have public or private health insurance,” Fine said. “This law will allow for more families to access this critical care without having to worry whether or not their insurance will cover the treatments.”

Under Fine’s law, patients with private insurance will now be covered for pediatric palliative care. Palliative care is a specialized medical care for people living with serious illnesses focused on providing relief from symptoms and improving quality of life with the medical condition. Some forms of this care include expert management of physical and emotional symptoms, as well as patient and family counseling.

Many patients who have access to this type of treatment see less emergency room visits, shorter hospital stays, and experience an improved wellbeing for themselves and their families. Despite these benefits, only 1% of the 2,800 children in Illinois living with chronic illness currently have access to this treatment.

Sen. Fine is a longtime advocate of increasing accessibility of pediatric palliative care. In 2021, while working with advocates like the Greater Illinois Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition, she sponsored a measure requiring Medicaid to cover pediatric palliative care.

“For children living with serious illness, palliative care is vital in keeping children out of the hospital and decreasing family stress. This results in improved quality of life for the patient and his or her entire family,” Fine said. “This law is crucial to ensure seriously ill children in Illinois and their families have the care and support that they deserve.”

Senate Bill 3819 was signed into law May 13, 2022. It goes into effect January 1, 2023.