Expansion of child care for first responders coming to Illinois with Martwick support
Springfield – First responders will have additional options to find child care for their families after a measure championed by State Senator Robert Martwick (D- Chicago) became law.
“Providing these round-the-clock child care options is essential if we are going to support first responders and their families,” Martwick said. “This is a small step that we can take to support the families who sacrifice so much for all of us.”
The new law requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Program to help first responders and other workers identify and access to off-hours, night, or sleep time child care.
The measure also creates the Off-hours Child Care Program Fund in the State Treasury in order to help finance the program.
“As the father of two young sons, I understand how essential it is to find child care options for families, especially when both parents work full time and have strenuous schedules,” Martwick said. “This new law will help provide this support structure for the families who sacrifice so much for the rest of us.”
House Bill 1571 was signed into law on Friday and will take effect immediately.
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Martwick-supported measure to support mental health of first responders becomes law
Springfield – First responders will soon have access to additional mental health resources after a new measure supported by Senator Robert Martwick providing behavioral health grants to law enforcement agencies and local governments was signed into law.
First responders are frequently exposed to trauma,” said Martwick (D – Chicago). “Lack of access to mental health care for first responders contributes to high turnover and rising suicide rates. First responders need and deserve to have access to mental health services.”
The new law creates a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Program, which will award grants to local governments and law enforcement agencies to support the behavioral health care needs of first responders.
The measure addresses a growing need for mental health services in first responder professions. Historically, behavioral health care services for first responders are difficult to access and not of appropriate quality. Additionally, mental health services for first responders often fail to respect the confidentiality provisions found in other behavioral health care settings.
HB 1321 was signed into law Friday and will take effect in January, 2023.
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Martwick-supported measure to combat the rise of stolen catalytic converters
Springfield- A measure to combat the number of stolen car parts supported by State Senator Robert Martwick was signed into law.
“The recent rise in catalytic converter thefts is unacceptable,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “I am pleased that we are taking this step to protect people’s vehicles by tightening the law that many individuals are regrettably finding a way around.”
The new law, formerly known as House Bill 107, would add catalytic converters to the definition of recyclable metal, which will now require record keeping on the purchase of these parts. The license plate number of the vehicle, photographs or video of the seller, a verified name and address of the seller and a signed declaration by the seller stating that the catalytic converter was stolen will be required.
In addition, the measure would prohibit a recyclable metal dealer from purchasing a catalytic converter with a value over $100 with cash.
HB 107 was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.
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