Murphy grants extra protections to victims of domestic violence

• SB 399

SPRINGFIELD – Victims of domestic violence no longer have to include addresses on court documents starting Jan. 1, thanks to a law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

The law allows an address to be omitted from documents filed in court if disclosing the address would risk abuse or harm. The victim will also be protected from having to include a domestic violence safe house address or an address that was changed as a result of a protective order.

“Victims of domestic violence shouldn’t have to worry that their address may be released to their abuser during legal proceedings,” Murphy said. “They’ve already taken a huge step to get out of a traumatic situation. They deserve to feel secure.”

Murphy introduced her measure in response to an incident where a judge included the address of a domestic violence safe house in a court order between the abuser and the victim regarding custody over their child.

“I’m proud to see that our state is taking action to protect some of our most vulnerable citizens,” Murphy said.

The law is Public Act 101-211.

Murphy law gives students ability to self-administer medication

• SB 1250
• Schools

SPRINGFIELD – Students are now allowed to self-administer prescribed medication while at school under a law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

Murphy’s measure requires schools to allow students with an action plan to self-administer prescribed medication with permission from their parent or guardian.

“No parent should have to wonder whether their child will be able to access their medication when they need it,” Murphy said. “When we give kids the right to self-administer their medicine, we not only give them control over their own health—we also make it easier for them to focus on school work, and we reassure parents that their kids are well cared for at school.”

Gwynne Ryan, a teacher at Maine West High School brought this issue to Murphy. Ryan faced opposition from her child’s school when she requested that her child be allowed to self-administer medication.

"Helping kids to manage all aspects of their lives and medical needs, in and out of school, is essential for lifelong good health and a sense of individual responsibility. This is what I want to teach my child and what Senator Murphy has helped make possible for many more parents,” said Ryan. “Senator Murphy’s action on issues that directly impact her constituents shows her dedication to public service."

Public Act 101-205 went into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

Murphy's office accepting donations for Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines

• In the district

Murphy pushes to increase lobbying transparency in Springfield

• Ethics

SPRINGFIELD – Lobbyists are now required to disclose more information regarding their clients and relationships to local government units under new legislation co-sponsored by Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“It’s clear that we need to introduce larger reforms to change the way elected officials do business,” said Murphy, who served as chief co-sponsor of the legislation in the Senate. “Increasing lobbying transparency is just a start—there’s much more still to do.”

The legislation seeks to prevent state lawmakers from lobbying local units of government. The measure would require:

•    state lobbyists to disclose any units of local government they lobby,
•    state lobbyists to disclose any elected or appointed offices they hold,
•    lobbying firms that contract out other lobbyists to disclose who is lobbying for each business or other client, and
•    the Secretary of State’s Office to improve the lobbyist database, compiling this new information into a publicly accessible and easily navigable online resource.

“Anytime we increase transparency, it’s a victory, but we can’t stop there,” Murphy. “I am continuing to work to enact legislation that holds lawmakers to a higher standard.”

Senate Bill 1639 was signed into law by Governor Pritzker and takes effect immediately.