DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy is calling for more security at Illinois hospitals after the fatal shooting of two members of hospital staff and a Chicago police officer at Mercy Hospital Monday evening.

“This tragic act of evil is a clear reminder that we must do all we can to protect our doctors, nurses and support staff serving in hospitals around Illinois from the very acts of violence they are often treating,” Murphy (D-Des Plaines) said.

Last year, after visiting with Chicago area nurses and hearing their experiences and concern for their safety in the workplace, Murphy introduced Senate Bill 2334, which called for metal detectors in every hospital in Illinois. The opponents of the initial bill were very engaged in discussion, so the bill did not make it out of committee, but Murphy intends to reintroduce it during the next General Assembly.

“It’s my hope that the deaths of these dedicated public service workers renew a call to honor their sacrifice,” Murphy said. “Some of the most important work in our society is performed by the highly trained doctors and nurses at hospitals throughout our state, and we owe it to them to ensure their safety and security while they’re working to save lives.”

More information can be found on Senator Murphy’s website, www.SenatorLauraMurphy.com, or by calling her district office at 847-718-1110.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy joined 35 Senate colleagues Wednesday in overriding Gov. Rauner’s veto of a bill that raises the minimum age to purchase tobacco products in Illinois to 21 years.

Senate Bill 2332 passed through both houses of the General Assembly in May, but was vetoed by the governor in August. The bill, popularly known as “Tobacco 21”, aims to help reduce the number of underage smokers and increase the overall health of people in Illinois by preventing anyone between the ages of 18 and 21 from purchasing or possessing tobacco problems.

“Smoking is one of the worst habits for young people to pick up,” said Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat. “The goal of this bill is to prevent and delay the onset of smoking. Studies have proven that if you can delay cigarette smoking until 21, you are likely to prevent young people from ever starting. Elk Grove Village and Hoffman Estates, two municipalities within my district, have already passed similar local measures and have seen promising results. I’m proud to have helped override this veto to make this law consistent throughout the entire state.”

The motion to override now moves over to the House of Representatives, where 71 votes in favor are required. Should it pass, the bill will become law and will be effective on January 1, 2019.  

DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy is urging area bus riders to voice their concerns about the possible cancellation of Saturday Pace bus service on a route that serves Des Plaines and Park Ridge.

The 209 Busse Highway route provides service to the Harlem Avenue station of the CTA Blue Line. Pace is considering cancelling the service on Saturdays no later than April 2019 because of budgetary restrictions.

“Many of the residents of my district rely on this route on Saturdays, especially disabled residents who might not have any other means of transportation” said Murphy (D – Des Plaines). “If Pace is considering cancelling it, then those who will be affected by the cancellation deserve to have their voices heard.”

Pace will discuss the potential cancellation at its monthly board meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 14. Those who wish to comment on the proposed changes are welcome to share their views by submitting written material on or before the date of the meeting by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by using Pace’s online form, https://bit.ly/2OdUK9a.

Individuals can also attend the regular board meeting to express their concerns in person as part of the board's public comment portion of their meeting.

>More information can be found on Murphy’s website, www.SenatorLauraMurphy.com, or by calling her district office at 847-718-1110.

New law covers fertility preservation services

Des Plaines — Moved by the stories of young cancer patients who are unable to have children of their own, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) sponsored a new law to help them access fertility preservation services.

“Undergoing treatment for cancer is difficult enough for patients without also having to worry about its impact on their future plans for a family,” Murphy said. “This is a preventative solution to address the effects of medically-necessary procedures that can render patients infertile.”

House Bill 2617 requires insurers to cover standard fertility preservation services when a necessary medical procedure, such as radiation, chemotherapy and surgery, could cause infertility. Fertility preservation services, such as freezing eggs or sperm, would be completed prior to the medical procedure that could lead to infertility.

“I hope that this new law will provide some piece of mind to young patients who have been dealt a difficult diagnosis,” Murphy said.

Currently, employers with 25 or more full-time employees who provide pregnancy-related benefits are required to provide coverage for infertility treatment, though some restrictions apply. Additionally, plans sold through the Affordable Care Act cover regular infertility treatment but do not cover fertility preservation services.

This legislation, which was signed into law today, takes effect on Jan. 1, 2019.