SPRINGFIELD – The state of Illinois is investing in its mental health system.  State Senator Laura Fine, the Chair of the Behavioral and Mental Health committee, proudly supported the supplemental budget that increases vital funding for services.

“For many Illinoisians, access to high-quality mental health care makes a difference in their quality of life,” said Senator Fine (D-Glenview). “This budget increase will grant providers with essential funding, which will enable them to care for more people facing struggles with mental well-being.”

The supplemental budget provides $25 million to state-operated mental health facilities run by the Department of Human Services. Public colleges and universities will also receive $19 million to support their mental health services, and mental health and substance use treatment providers will receive $12 million for stability payments.

Senator Fine believes these investments will be transformative for health care groups working to provide quality, accessible services to Illinoisians.

“With this critical investment in programs, the workforce and facilities, DHS will be able to provide services for more Illinois residents,” Fine said. “This will result in positive outcomes for so many people in need of quality, supportive mental health care.”

The supplemental budget, filed under House Bill 969, passed the Senate on January 10, 2023. It now goes to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, State Senator Laura Fine helped pass legislation to protect people who seek reproductive health care in Illinois.  House Bill 4664 passed the Senate making reproductive health care procedures and medicine more accessible and secure, while also increasing support of reproductive health care providers.

“The right to make choices about your body and your health is fundamental,” Senator Fine (D-Glenview) said. “It is disheartening that this right is no longer protected on a federal level. However, in Illinois, this legislation will further protect this right so that no one will be criminalized for seeking or performing reproductive health care.”

Following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, House Bill 4664 would protect legal and practical access to abortion care in Illinois. With this legislation, people who use reproductive health care in Illinois would be protected from out-of-state subpoenas related to reproductive health care, and out-of-state patients would be eligible to file a counterclaim if a judgment is made against them in another state. Similarly, this bill would protect the licenses of health care professionals who are penalized for providing care that is illegal in another state but legal in Illinois. These protections shield people who utilize reproductive health care in Illinois, where the ability to use or refuse reproductive health care is a fundamental right.

Additionally, the Illinois Department of Public Health would provide grants to underserved areas and transportation hubs for reproductive health care training, ensuring these communities have access to safe and accessible care.

“Attacks on reproductive health care disproportionately impact our most marginalized communities,” Fine said. “Making reproductive health care more accessible will ensure individuals in these communities are able to make the best and safest decisions for their health.”

House Bill 4661 passed the Senate on January 10, 2023. It now goes to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – In the 6 months since the tragic mass shooting at the Highland Park community 4^th of July parade, State Senator Laura Fine has been fighting for a statewide assault weapons ban; and she is proud to report that an assault weapons ban passed the Senate on January 9, 2023.

“As a member of the community neighboring Highland Park, I know firsthand how devastating the shooting was for our neighbors,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “We cannot stand idle as assault weapons continue to be used for violence.”

If signed by the governor, House Bill 5471 would ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines from being manufactured or sold in Illinois.

Studies show that approximately one-third of public mass shooting events include the use of an assault weapon, and nearly 40% involve a high-capacity magazine. When an assault weapon and/or a high-capacity magazine is used in a public mass shooting, nearly 14 times as many people are injured, and twice as many people are killed. Not only are there more injuries when assault weapons are used, but the types of injuries are far worse.

The 4th of July shooting punctuated a six-week period in which mass shooters using semi-automatic weapons killed more than 40 people in Buffalo, New York; Uvalde, Texas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Highland Park combined. 

“The tragedy of the Highland Park shooting will always be with me,” Fine said. “It is long past time that we act and ban assault weapons so no other communities will have to experience this trauma.”

House Bill 5471 passed the Senate on January 9, 2023. It now goes to the House for further consideration. 

Following the sudden death of State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign), Senator Fine (D-Glenview) released the following statement:

"I’m incredibly saddened to hear about the sudden passing of my colleague, Sen. Scott Bennett. He was a remarkable public servant and his constituents could not have asked for a more dedicated Senator. My heart goes out to his family who are dealing with the loss of a devoted husband and father. He will be sorely missed. May his memory be a blessing."