Fine advances Jordan’s Law

SPRINGFIELD – One family’s tragic loss will help others in the future. Last fall, an Evanston family lost their son, Jordan while he was seeking treatment in a substance abuse treatment facility. Working with the family, the state and mental health care providers, State Senator Laura Fine is leading a measure to require substance abuse programs and mental health facilities to better communicate and give a patient’s family or caretaker timely notice of the patient’s passing. 

“No parent or caretaker should have to wait days to be notified that their loved one has died while under the care of a treatment facility,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “It is essential that these facilities and programs have clear standards in place for sharing information with a patient’s loved ones.  No one should ever have to go through what Jordan’s family experienced.”

Under current law, a facility must provide verbal notice regarding a significant incident to the Department of Human Services within 24 hours. However, there is no mandate that requires a family member to be notified of a patient’s death within a specific timeframe.

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Fine sees solutions to mental health and disability care in the budget address

SPRINGFIELD — Following Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) issued the following statement:

“Although we have made substantial progress providing effective and accessible mental healthcare in Illinois, the shortage of mental health professionals remains a roadblock to timely care. As the chair of the Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, I have been working with mental health and disability experts and providers focusing on eliminating roadblocks to care, including issues regarding pay gaps and administrative barriers that have a direct impact on the providers as well as the patients.

“This budget proposal builds on current investments in quality, accessible mental health treatment, including the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative. This initiative, which began in 2022, works to transform statewide systems of care to increase accessibility and capacity for children and adolescents seeking mental healthcare.

Read more: Fine sees solutions to mental health and disability care in the budget address

Fine convenes joint hearing to address shortage of behavioral health care professionals

CHICAGO – Continuing the focus on building the behavioral health workforce in Illinois, Chairpersons of the Behavioral and Mental Health Committees, State Senator Laura Fine and State Representative Lindsey LaPointe convened the first of two joint Illinois House-Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee hearings Thursday. 

“The state of Illinois is working with mental health professionals who are enacting groundbreaking solutions to expanding the behavioral health workforce,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “It is crucial to hear directly from mental and behavioral health providers across the state to learn the progress of these programs and how future legislation can make the biggest impact.” 

Representatives of the Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Development Center, a university partnership focused on making Illinois a national leader in supporting a robust system of behavioral health care providers, addressed the committee. Their testimony focused on the training programs being implemented to grow the workforce. They also talked about the roadblocks that need to be eliminated, including administrative burdens and gaps in Illinois’ mental health parity laws.

Read more: Fine convenes joint hearing to address shortage of behavioral health care professionals

Fine announces over $25,000 in library grants for local school districts

SPRINGFIELD — Nine local school districts are receiving state library grants totaling over $25,000. These dollars will provide resources to libraries through books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs.

“By investing in our local school libraries, we are investing in the foundations of education for every student,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Libraries are essential in providing access to materials and skills that will help them along their academic journey."

The following school districts in Fine’s district received a total of $25,842 through the School District Library Grant Program:

• Community Consolidated School District 65 - $5,365
• Evanston Township High School District 202 - $3,171
• Glenbrook High School District 225 - $4,419
• Glenview Community Consolidated School District 34 - $3,676
• Kenilworth School District 38 - $850
• Avoca School District 37 - $850
• Wilmette School District 39 - $2,728
• New Trier Township High School District 203 - $3,303
• Winnetka School District 36 - $1,476

The grants, awarded once every fiscal year, will support school library services for over 1 million students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade across the state.

“Libraries are a cornerstone in our communities and schools,” said Fine. “It is important to ensure that students have access to quality programs and resources.”

For a full list of libraries that received funding, visit the Secretary of State’s website.