SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is celebrating Illinoisans of the Hindu religion with the passage of a measure to establish October 2021 as Hindu Heritage month.

“Illinois thrives because of its rich cultural history,” Murphy said. “Hindu people make up an important part of our society, and its important we learn and celebrate this culture.”

In Illinois alone there are over 250,000 followers of the Hindu religion. It is the world’s oldest and third largest religion. October is significant to the Hindu population because it is the birth month of Mahatma Gandhi, and it is also when Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is held.

“Dedicating a month to Hindu heritage provides an opportunity to focus on Hindu culture and its diverse spiritual traditions,” Murphy said. “It also serves as a way to thank and support the people who contribute to our state”

The Hindu community has established 38 temples in Illinois, with the largest being the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago. These temples not only serve as places of fellowship, but they also serve as spaces for cultural events. Senate Resolution 545 establishes October 2021 as Hindu Heritage month to observe and recognize these contributions.

By collectively honoring Hindu participation in the state, Illinois adds itself to the list of states that have dedicated the month of October to Hindu heritage.

Senate Resolution 545 was adopted by the Senate Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD – To eliminate red tape by making it easier for physicians and physician assistants to serve people with immediate medical needs, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) advanced legislation to modernize health care delivery.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have seen our medical systems and workers severely overburdened,” Murphy said. “We need to do anything we can to reduce the bureaucratic obstacles our health care workers face.”

Murphy’s proposed legislation would simplify partnerships between physicians and PAs by removing burdensome red tape, like written agreements and practice notifications. These bureaucratic barriers restrict health care access for patients, according to a 2018 study by the Brookings Institution, and eliminating them could significantly improve productivity in the health care industry.

The PA profession is tied for seventh on the list of fastest-growing occupations in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment in the industry is expected to grow 31% by 2029.

“Illinois has the health care infrastructure necessary to benefit from the predicted growth in the PA industry—but first, we must break down these bureaucratic practice barriers and show our PAs we support them in their jobs,” Murphy said.

Senate Bill 145 advanced out of the Senate Licensed Activities Committee Wednesday and now heads to the full Senate.

DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy (D- Des Plaines) congratulated local businesses struggling from the pandemic that were awarded grants from the latest round of the Back to Business program awards.

The B2B program allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations such as staff and overhead costs.

“Our small businesses have overcome many difficult challenges over the past year and a half,” Murphy said. “I’m glad to see that many businesses received funding to help keep their doors open.”

 Fourteen businesses in the district Murphy represents have already received a total of $650,000 in grants. They include Automated Lighting Design INC. of Elk Grove, Louie’s Crab House LLC. of Des Plaines and AMA  Dancers & CO. INC. of Des Plaines, demonstrating the diversity of the local small business community.  

For a full list of businesses that have received Back to Business grants, visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awards list at illinois.gov/B2BAwards.

DES PLAINES – To ensure college students can afford the tools they need to excel in the classroom, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) passed a law in the spring to create a task force dedicated to making textbooks and other course materials more affordable. On Monday, Murphy was appointed as one of its members.

“Far too often, students don’t buy a textbook because they can’t afford it – which puts them at a disadvantage in the classroom and beyond,” Murphy said. “The task force will enable all students – regardless of income – to get the much-needed college supplies that will lead them to success in and out of the classroom.”

Murphy created the task force during the spring legislative session with the passage of House Bill 332. The group will research ways to save students money on course materials, examine digital learning materials in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and publish its findings online.

Using these findings, the task force will identify best practices for colleges and universities with an eye toward improving affordability, ensuring access to required course materials by the first day of class, and securing better outcomes for students—especially minority, low-income and first-generation students.

“As students look into their higher education options, they should not feel deterred by the high price of textbooks,” Murphy said. “Anyone who wants to go to college should be able to.”

The rest of the members of the Course Materials Equitable Access and Affordability Study Task Force will be selected in the weeks to come and begin its meetings.