Murphy plan to support disabled veterans clears Senate

• Veterans
• 2018

Permanently disabled veterans wouldn’t have to re-certify their disability each year to receive a property tax break under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“Our veterans fought for our country and sacrificed their mobility. I don’t think they should also have to fight for a property tax exemption each year,” Murphy said.

Under Senate Bill 2431, permanently and totally disabled veterans would not need to reapply each year to receive the Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead Exemption. Under current law, veterans with a service-related disability of at least 70 percent are exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residence.

Senate Bill 2431 passed the Senate 51-0. It now moves to the House for further consideration.

Senate declares today Lyme Disease Awareness Day

• 2018

The Senate today approved a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) declaring May 1, 2018, Lyme Disease Awareness Day in Illinois.

“I hope that by sponsoring this resolution more people will learn how to spot tick bites and the symptoms of Lyme disease,” Murphy said. “Illinoisans need to know the dangers of this disease.”

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. Symptoms include a fever, headache and skin rash. If Lyme disease is not treated, the infection can spread to the heart, nervous system and joints.

“Lyme disease can be treated if caught early,” Murphy said. “Lyme disease does not only affect hikers and hunters. Increasingly, people are being infected in their homes by mice carrying infected ticks.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30,000 Americans report being infected with Lyme disease each year but there could be as many as 300,000 cases annually.

Not all ticks carry the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, and it is not possible to tell by sight which ticks are infected.

The CDC reports that people with Lyme disease can fully recover if they are treated with antibiotics in the early stages of illness.

Murphy advances proposal to protect the identity of Lottery winners

• 2018

SPRINGFIELD — Lottery winners’ identities would not automatically be disclosed under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

The Illinois Senate today approved Senate Bill 211 to allow Lottery winners of more than $250,000 to submit a written request that their identity be kept confidential.

“Illinoisans should have a right to their privacy,” Murphy said. “The government should not force Lottery winners to disclose their identities just because they were lucky enough to win. Though this legislation affects a small portion of the population, I think the right to privacy is an important principle.”

Currently, Lottery winners’ names, city of residence, date the prize is won and amount of winnings are matters of public record and are therefore subject to public disclosure laws. Under this amended legislation, winners’ identities would only be available through a FOIA request.

Senate Bill 211 now advances to the House for further consideration.

Murphy on the importance of fair maps in Illinois

• 2018
• Fair Maps