SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, passed a bill out of the Illinois House of Representatives Friday to further prevent gun violence and protect Illinois communities, particularly survivors of domestic abuse.

“The presence of guns can mean the difference between life and death for survivors of domestic violence and people in abusive relationships,” Hirschauer said. “When abusers have access to a gun, the risk of intimate-partner homicide increases by 500 percent, according to research from the American Journal of Public Health. Removing guns from these volatile situations is a commonsense solution that will undoubtedly save the lives of vulnerable people.”

House Bill 676 clarifies that the respondent of the firearms restraining order is prohibited from acquiring or possessing any firearms for the duration of the order of protection, and outlines the process and timeframe for firearms to be seized after the entry of the order of protection. The bill also permits intimate partners to petition for a firearms order of protection, closing what is commonly known as the “boyfriend loophole.”

The bill also includes several other provisions, including the creation of a task force to review public policy options relating to the insurance of firearms in Illinois. It also expands the First Time Weapons Offense Program for first-time, non-violent offenders charged with certain weapons offenses. This successful diversion program provides alternatives to the criminal justice system likely to reduce further crime and promote public safety.

“Gun violence is a complex public health and safety problem that necessitates comprehensive, multifaceted solutions. This bill is another step in our journey to end gun violence and make Illinois a safer place to live, work, and raise a family,” Hirschauer said. “I am grateful to my colleagues, especially the members of the Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group, for passing this bill, and I implore my colleagues in the Senate to do the same and stand up for the safety of Illinois communities once again.”

House Bill 676 awaits consideration by the Illinois Senate. For more information on Hirschauer’s legislative agenda, please visit www.ilga.gov.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Nursing home residents would enjoy greater protection from restraining practices and unnecessary overmedication under new legislation led by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia.

“Nursing home residents are some of our most vulnerable community members, and they deserve safe, dignified treatment in all circumstances,” Hirschauer said. “This legislation seeks to prevent harmful restraining practices and the misuse of psychotropic drugs so that nursing home residents receive helpful services free of harm or misconduct.”

Senate Bill 1497 specifies when and how positioning devices can be used to restrain someone in order to maintain the health and safety of a resident. The bill distinguishes between positioning devices and physical restraints, and allows residents to request positioning devices to assist with stability and movement. To prevent the misuse of psychotropic drugs, the bill also clarifies that psychotropic drugs are only to be used to treat a specific diagnosed and documented condition, or if clinical documentation in the resident’s medical record supports the use of the medication over the other alternatively prescribed medications. Senate Bill 1497 is an initiative of Hirschauer and state Sen. Karina Villa’s Joint Senior Advisory Committee, a group of civically-minded community members who discuss and propose legislation.

“According to the American Association of Retired Persons, Illinois is the second worst state in the misuse of psychotropic drugs in nursing homes in America. This is unacceptable,” Hirschauer said. “When we trust nursing homes with the care of our loved ones, we expect them to treat them with the safest and highest quality of care. This bill helps make that so. I encourage my colleagues in the House to pass this bill and protect nursing home residents across Illinois.”

Senate Bill 1497 now heads to the House floor for consideration. For more information on Hirschauer’s legislative agenda, please visit www.ilga.gov.

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is hosting a Mobile Secretary of State event on Friday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hanover Township Senior Center located at 240 Illinois Route 59 in Bartlett.

“Due to a variety of circumstances, many people might not be able to go to the DMV to renew their licenses or access other services,” Hirschauer said. “This event is the perfect opportunity to skip the long lines at the DMV and conveniently receive the services the Secretary of State’s office provides.”

Event attendees will be able to take advantage of basic DMV services, such as vision testing, driver’s license/state ID renewal, license plate stickers, and more. Proper identification is required for these services. No cash will be accepted. All payments must be made by check, credit card, debit card, or money order.

“Bringing useful services to our community through events like this one is one of my top priorities as your state representative,” Hirschauer said. “I will always work to make the lives of my constituents easier. I encourage anyone who needs DMV services to join us for this event.”

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Hirschauer’s district office at 331-465-9661 or office@repmaura49.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, and other state lawmakers from Colorado, Florida, Michigan, and Minnesota, met with senior White House officials on Wednesday to discuss extreme risk protection order legislation.

“When we remove guns from the hands of reckless individuals who may be a danger to themselves or others, we can prevent mass shootings, firearm suicides, and other gun-related deaths and injuries. Though Illinois has made tremendous progress on this front through the Firearms Restraining Order Act, there’s still work to be done to keep guns away from dangerous people and keep our communities safe,” Hirschauer said. “I am pleased that Illinois continues to be a model other states can follow when it comes to responsible gun safety legislation, and I am grateful to learn from the other states present.”

Illinois passed the Firearm Restraining Order Act in 2018, which allows members of an individual’s household and law enforcement officers to petition a court for an order to prevent the individual from accessing firearms if the court finds they present a significant danger. Building on that significant legislation, Hirschauer recently introduced House Bill 1404, which aims to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and expands the petitioners for extreme risk laws to intimate dating partners.

“Gun violence knows no borders, so solutions to the gun violence epidemic should not either. It was a privilege to collaborate with other states on this serious issue, and I look forward to seeing how our work creates safer communities nationwide,” Hirschauer said. “We have a long way to go to prevent gun violence, but I am confident that through meaningful legislative actions, we can keep our children and families safe.”