Murphy votes to protect middle class, make full pension payment

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Laura Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat, supported a balanced budget plan that protects the middle class and continues the state’s trend of making its annual pension payments.

“This budget begins Illinois’ path to stability,” Murphy said. “It prioritizes spending on programs that will help working and middle class families and responsibly allocates funds for our annual obligations.”

“Over the past four years much instability occurred in this State due to the lack of a budget. Social service agencies were starved. Our seniors, children and the disabled received the brunt of this dysfunction.  I am happy to say that has changed under this new leadership”.

This budget includes a $50 million increase to the Monetary Award Program (MAP), which makes college more affordable and accessible for everyone in Illinois.

“We saw that after two years without a budget, Illinois students were leaving the state in large numbers to pursue their college education elsewhere,” Murphy said. “Many of them don’t return, representing an enormous brain drain with significant financial implications. I hope this continued investment will encourage more students to stay in Illinois to attend college.”

The budget also fulfils the state’s annual pension payment obligation and buts a dent in our backlog of unpaid bills.

“The state made a promise and should keep that promise when it comes to pensions,” Murphy said. “This has been an issue for far too long, and I am happy to see that this budget meets the financial obligation it promised.”

Murphy votes for women's fundamental right to make their own health care choices

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) reassured women of Illinois that they have and will continue to have the right to make their own health care decisions by voting in favor of the Reproductive Health Care Act.

Murphy released the following statement in reaction to Senate Bill 25 passing both chambers of the General Assembly this week:

“This bill will ensure women in Illinois have the opportunity to make their own healthcare choices.  This measure codifies existing Illinois laws and ensures the fundamental right of women to make their own health care decisions.   We have seen recent attacks on women throughout the country regarding our health care and body autonomy. Regardless of what happens at the federal level, women in Illinois will be protected."

Murphy votes to legalize adult-use cannabis in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) voted Wednesday in favor of a measure that would legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis throughout the state.

“This measure has been worked on diligently, and I am happy that the bill was amended to address the home grow issue and explain the distribution of revenue that will come with taxing cannabis,” Murphy said. “We have learned that prohibition doesn’t work. This measure will tax a product that has wide spread use, help control THC levels and put a stop to unregulated cannabis on the illicit market.”

House Bill 1438 would:

• Provide law enforcement with the funding and tools to oversee usage and prevent underage access.
• Create a new industry that provides revenue to the state and ensures minority participation with regards to both equity in ownership and quality employment.
• Expunge minor cannabis offenses.

House Bill 1438 passed the Senate and moves to the House for consideration.

Murphy won’t turn a blind eye to human trafficking

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is working to fight human trafficking in Illinois by requiring more training on the issue as well as creating stronger penalties for the crime.

She advanced legislation today that would create the Lodging Establishment Human Trafficking Recognition Training Act, which will require hotels and motels to train employees on how to recognize human trafficking and how to alert authorities.

“Hotels and motels have been shown to be popular locations for human trafficking,” Murphy said. “If we want to combat this issue head on, we have to ensure that hospitality staff are educated, aware and putting forth a conscious effort to save victims and catch traffickers.”

Murphy’s measure also requires the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to provide training for police officers to detect human trafficking.

“I don’t think we should stop here,” Murphy said. “Human trafficking is unlike any other crime. It involves the selling of humans. Everyone needs to be educated on this growing epidemic because it doesn’t just happen behind closed doors; it can be anywhere.”

Senate Bill 1890 passed both chambers with bipartisan support and now awaits action by the governor.