Category: Legislation

Hirschauer Bill Would Help Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities Access State Services

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Bill Would Help Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities Access State Services

 

Parents of students with special needs would receive additional information about state programs for which their child may be eligible

under legislation introduced by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia.  

“Many teachers and school staff already do a wonderful job of connecting special needs families with resources to help their child inside and outside the classroom, but this should be uniform across all school districts,” said Hirschauer. “Registering with the PUNS database is the first step families can take to receive developmental disability services, so it’s important that they know it exists and how to sign up.”

Hirschauer introduced House Bill 290, which requires school districts to notify parents of students with individualized education programs (IEPs) that their child may be eligible to receive services by registering with Illinois’ PUNS database. PUNS stands for Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services and is a statewide database from which individuals are selected for services as funding becomes available. Under Hirschauer’s bill, families would receive a copy of the Illinois Department of Human Services’ ‘Understanding PUNS’ guide during their initial meeting with school officials to develop a student’s IEP and once a year after that. The guide is also available for download at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27897/documents/Brochures/4313.pdf.
 
“While not every student with an IEP will be eligible for state services, it’s still beneficial for them to understand the PUNS enrollment process in case their needs change over time,” said Hirschauer. “I am hopeful that my legislation will help more families access critical services and supports both now and in the future.”

Hirschauer passed House Bill 290 out of the House, and it now moves to the Senate for consideration. 

“I am hopeful that my legislation will help more families access critical services and supports both now and in the future.”

 

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Hirschauer Passes Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Passes Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Household and family members would be able to request a no-contact order on behalf of a sexual assault survivor who needs protection under legislation introduced by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, which passed the House on Thursday.

“After experiencing something as traumatic as sexual assault, a survivor should be able to receive any protections they need, including a no-contact order in some cases,” said Hirschauer. “However, they may be scared of retaliation from their assailant if they file for one. By allowing the people closest to the survivor to file for the no-contact order with their consent, my bill would help family members protect their loved one’s safety while also respecting their wishes.”

Hirschauer led House Bill 1742, which recently passed on the House floor. The measure allows any family or household member of a survivor of non-consensual sexual conduct or non-consensual sexual penetration to apply for a no-contact order, as long as they receive consent from the person in need of protection. Currently, a family member is only allowed to apply on behalf of the survivor if they are a minor or physically unable to go to court themselves.

“It is imperative we continue to expand protections and support survivors in every way possible,” said Hirschauer. “I am proud to carry this bill and will continue to work with the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault in the future to pass legislation to change the culture around sexual assault and hold perpetrators accountable for their behavior.”

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
276-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #108
West Chicago IL 60185

The post Hirschauer Passes Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault appeared first on Illinois House Democratic Caucus.

Hirschauer Bill Takes Trauma-Informed Approach to School Shooter Drills

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Bill Takes Trauma-Informed Approach to School Shooter Drills

 

Students and school personnel would receive advance notice of planned active shooter drills

under legislation introduced by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, aimed at preventing psychological impacts from these training simulations.

“It’s scary and heartbreaking that our reality necessitates preparing teachers and young children for how to respond if an attacker barges into their classroom with a gun,” said Hirschauer. “While there’s a need for law enforcement to train for real emergencies that we all hope never occur, drills that are overly realistic can be extremely traumatizing for children. My bill keeps the well-being of students and staff at the heart of school lockdown drills by taking a trauma-informed approach to these situations.”

Hirschauer, a longtime volunteer with Moms Demand Action, is sponsoring House Bill 2400 to address how lockdown drills affect children. The measure specifies that school shooter drills must be age and developmentally appropriate, include school-based mental health professionals and be announced in advance, with an option for parents and guardians to exempt their child from participating. Under current state law, schools and law enforcement agencies are required to conduct a lockdown drill within the first 90 days of the school year.

“We must continue to do everything in our power to protect students from the physical threat of school shootings, but we can’t jeopardize their mental health in the process,” said Hirschauer. “I am committed to removing the harmful impacts of active shooter drills and making sure they’re conducted in a more effective way.”

“We must continue to do everything in our power to protect students from the physical threat of school shootings, but we can’t jeopardize their mental health in the process”

Image of HB2400 Factsheet

HB2400 – School Law Enforcement Drills FactSheet

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Hirschauer-Backed Voting Bill to Strengthen Ballot Access Now Law

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer-Backed Voting Bill to Strengthen Ballot Access Now Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Measures initially put in place to expand voting access during the pandemic will become permanent in Illinois under a new state law supported by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia.

“Voting and participating in the democratic process are key privileges we have as citizens of Illinois and the United States,” said Hirschauer. “But we need to make sure that all those wanting to vote have the ability to do so, and that we aren’t making things harder for people with disabilities, health issues or seniors to vote. With expanded access to ballot drop boxes and curbside voting, we are making sure residents have every opportunity to use their voice.”

Hirschauer sponsored House Bill 1871, which was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The measure allows local election officials to continue setting up secure drop boxes for mail-in ballots and also clarifies that all vote by mail ballots returned must be accepted, even those without proper postage. Additionally, the new law allows seniors and others who may be unable to stand in line to vote to cast their ballot from their car. While these modifications to state election law were initially designed to facilitate social distancing in response to COVID-19, Hirschauer acknowledges they had a positive impact and worked to make them permanent for all future elections.

“Voting is a fundamental right, and I am so glad to be a part of this bill to expand voting opportunities to residents,” said Hirschauer. “When other states around the country are looking to curb voting access, I am proud to see Illinois at the forefront of protecting voting rights.”

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
276-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #108
West Chicago IL 60185

The post Hirschauer-Backed Voting Bill to Strengthen Ballot Access Now Law appeared first on Illinois House Democratic Caucus.

Hirschauer Backing Effort to End Taxpayer-Funded Exit Bonus for Legislators

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Backing Effort to End Taxpayer-Funded Exit Bonus for Legislators

 

 

 

a simple change that we can make, not only to improve ethical standards in our state but to save taxpayer dollars

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is sponsoring legislation that would end the practice of legislators claiming a full month’s pay for only one day of work.

“In most professions, employees only get paid for the days that they work and legislators should be held to that same standard,” Hirschauer said. “This is a simple change that we can make, not only to improve ethical standards in our state but to save taxpayer dollars.”

Under current state law, legislators can claim a full month’s salary for just one day’s work. Hirschauer is sponsoring House Bill 3104, which would change the legislative pay schedule to prorate legislators’ salaries so they only get a day’s pay for a day’s work. The issue came to light in recent years after a series of high-profile cases of Illinois legislators having to resign mid-term for ethics violations. In those cases when a legislator left office mid-month they were entitled to a full month’s pay.

“Unfortunately, this issue has been highlighted more recently as legislators from both parties have been forced to leave office in relation to bad behavior and ethics violations,” Hirschauer said. “Especially in those cases, it is wrong for taxpayers to be on the hook to pay a full month’s salary for a legislator who only worked several days.”

 

 

“…it is wrong for taxpayers to be on the hook to pay a full month’s salary for a legislator who only worked several days.”