Murphy: Budget provides vital support for health and education

• Budget

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget:

“Once again, Illinois has produced a balanced budget that prioritizes health care and education while relieving tax burdens on hardworking Illinoisans. The budget provides critical funding to meet the needs of early childhood programs, K-12 schools and community colleges, and increases funding for need-based financial assistance so almost any college-bound student can receive financial aid. Creating an educated workforce is the best investment we can make for Illinois’ future.

“By raising the minimum wage for direct support professionals and community care providers, we are bolstering the workforce and ensuring seniors and people with disabilities have the support that they need. Additional reimbursements for remote ultrasounds and music therapy services will ensure that the health and wellbeing of all Illinoisans is both accessible and affordable.

“Continuing on the theme of helping the middle and working classes, eliminating the grocery sales tax is a major step toward relieving the burden on hardworking families. To increase available funding, we are ensuring companies making record profits pay their fair share in ways that cannot be passed down to consumers, which will provide even more financial relief to middle-class households.

“In all, this budget ensures Illinois stays on our path to fiscal solvency while funding the most needed programs.”

Murphy supports measure to update training for Prisoner Review Board

SPRINGFIELD – The Prisoner Review Board would receive much-needed updates and training to ensure a more informed and thorough case review process under a measure supported by State Senator Laura Murphy.

“The responsibilities of Prisoner Review Board members are vital, which is why we need to equip them with the appropriate tools and training to make the most informed decisions possible,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “By voting for this measure, we are strengthening the parole review process and putting protections in place that prioritize the safety of victims.”

The Prisoner Review Board imposes release conditions for incarcerated individuals on mandatory supervised release, and notifies victims and their families when individuals are going to be released from custody.

Read more: Murphy supports measure to update training for Prisoner Review Board

Murphy advances measure to address speeding in school zones

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy has advanced a measure that would increase public safety around schools and parks by allowing the use of automated speed cameras.

“Automated speed cameras can play a crucial role in deterring reckless driving and protecting our children,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “Speeding near parks and schools poses a significant danger to pedestrians and park-goers.”

The measure would permit Cook County municipalities outside Chicago to install automated speed cameras in safety zones – the 660-foot buffers around schools and parks. Chicago was given the authority to establish automated speed cameras in safety zones in 2011, and Murphy’s measure would expand this permission to other Cook County municipalities with populations over 35,000.

Read more: Murphy advances measure to address speeding in school zones

Murphy measure would stand against predatory extended warranty scams

SPRINGFIELD – To address extended warranty fraud, State Senator Laura Murphy advanced a measure that would enable vehicle dealers to file suit against scammers that use their intellectual property to deceive consumers.

“Consumers deserve transparency and honesty, but aftermarket sellers often engage in deceitful practices to push unnecessary and overpriced plans,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “Through this legislation, we are laying out a way for automobile dealers whose likeness is used to deceive consumers to try to mend their damaged reputations.”

Extended warranty scams have become common in recent years. Frequently, fraudulent letters are marketed to look like they come from an official or authorized source, rather than an aftermarket extended services plan.

Under Murphy’s measure, car dealerships would have the ability to seek damages for the use of the dealer’s name, likeness, image, registered trademark or intellectual property without the dealer’s written permission. The court would also be able to award punitive damages and other equitable relief the court deems appropriate.

“It’s imperative that we enact stronger consumer protections to shield individuals from falling victim to predatory scams—and ensure that dealerships don’t suffer reputational damage from the use of their likeness,” Murphy said. “If a company engages in deceptive practices that damage the reputation of a dealership, they should receive a suitable punishment.”

House Bill 4447 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday and moves to the full Senate for consideration.