SPRINGFIELD – Six local school districts will receive more than $28,000 in grants through the Illinois Secretary of State’s School District Library Grant program, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced today.

The grants, which are issued by the Illinois State Library, are meant to help public schools purchase more library books and update technology for students.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to fall in love with reading, and for many kids, the school library is where that starts,” said Murphy. “I am thrilled to see so many local schools taking advantage of this program.”

Schools receiving school library grants include:
•    Des Plaines Community Consolidated School District 62
•    Community Consolidated School District 59
•    Keeneyville Elementary School District 20
•    Community Consolidated School District 64
•    Maine Township High School District 207
•    Schaumburg Community Consolidated School District 54

SPRINGFIELD – To encourage residents to take advantage of the Constituent Education Resource Card program, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is hosting a sign-up drive on Jan. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Elk Grove Village Public Library, located at 1001 Wellington Ave. in Elk Grove Village.

At the event, members of the public are invited to sign up for a date and location to use the card, which grants free general admission to over a dozen Chicago-area museums.

“This card makes it possible for anyone in the district to access the fantastic educational resources that Chicago has to offer,” said Murphy. “I want to help as many people as possible take advantage of this cost-saving opportunity.”

Museums in the Park, a coalition of Chicago museums, sponsors the program in collaboration with the State of Illinois. The card provides free entry for up to four people at 15 Chicago-area institutions, including the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium.

Any resident of the 28th District may reserve the card on a first-come, first-served basis. The card may be checked out from Murphy’s office in Des Plaines the day before use and must be returned the following day. The card can also be reserved by contacting Murphy’s office at 847-718-1110 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“I’m excited to be able to provide this service,” said Murphy. “People deserve to enjoy art, history, science and culture without having to worry about financial barriers.”

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.

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.