SPRINGFIELD – Nearly one in four adults in Illinois lives with a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To address the rising cost of living, especially for individuals who depend on welfare and disability programs being slashed by the federal administration, State Senator Laura Ellman is advancing legislation to make it easier for eligible residents to maintain critical property tax relief.

“Property tax relief programs should work for the people they are designed to support,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “By making this process more efficient, we are helping residents maintain stability and focus on what matters most in their daily lives.”

SPRINGFIELD – Artificial light at night is estimated to contribute to the deaths of hundreds of millions of migratory birds each year in the U.S., while also disrupting nocturnal wildlife and ecosystems, according to the National Audubon Society. State Senator Laura Ellman is working to address these impacts with legislation aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing harmful outdoor lighting across Illinois.

“Light pollution is more than just an inconvenience: it impacts our health, disrupts wildlife and wastes energy,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This legislation ensures Illinois is using smarter, more efficient lighting that protects both our environment and taxpayers.”

SPRINGFIELD – With nearly one in 10 Americans lacking health insurance coverage according to the U.S. Census Bureau, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced new legislation to ensure Illinois residents are not locked out of coverage due to past-due premium payments.

“Unexpected financial hardship can happen to anyone, especially when many are living paycheck to paycheck,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “We should not be creating additional barriers that prevent people from accessing essential health care.”

SPRINGFIELD – Studies find that work release programs can play a crucial role in reducing recidivism and promoting successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. However, there is a lack of rehabilitation credit opportunities for individuals in pretrial detention, leading State Senator Laura Ellman to advance Senate Bill 3333.

“While Illinois is a leading state in creating opportunities for incarcerated individuals, we still have many avenues we can improve,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Bettering oneself through education is the greatest gift we can give to society and my hope is to see more opportunities being created to reduce recidivism and improve public safety in the long run.”