Ellman announces $850,000 in funding to local school districts

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman announced seven school districts across DuPage County will receive nearly $850,000 in additional evidence-based funding.

“Supplementing school districts with additional state funding allows schools to fulfill the needs of their students,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Evidence-based funding is a valuable formula to identify and drive resources toward school districts that require additional financial support to provide for their students.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula – an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

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Ellman law expands public library access to visitors

SPRINGFIELD – Lowering the cost of public library access for families residing outside of a library’s district expands access to education, fosters healthier communities and promotes literacy. Working toward this goal, State Senator Laura Ellman championed a law that ensures visitors have more affordable access to public library services.

“Public libraries are essential components of any community, offering spaces for connection and educational support,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This measure enables libraries to offer non-resident card fees in manageable payments, thereby providing more families who visit out-of-district libraries access to these important resources.”

To address the present need for expanded public library access to non-residents and encourage inter-library cooperation, Ellman’s law gives library boards, townships and municipalities the choice of allowing non-residents to pay similar fees as residents on a quarterly or biannual basis.

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New Ellman law protects Illinois cremation scattering rights

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois families deserve the ability to scatter their loved ones' cremated remains according to their traditions and religious beliefs. Thanks to State Senator Laura Ellman’s new law, people will soon be able to scatter cremated ashes in Illinois waterways.

“Families undergoing significant life transitions following the death of a loved one deserve assistance as they face serious emotional and financial obstacles,” said Ellman (D-Naperville).“Families in my district who practice scattering ashes in flowing water have expressed their concerns to me – particularly about the absence of clear regulations regarding scattering rights.”

Ellman’s law allows families to scatter an individual’s cremated remains in a river, when a tenet of their faith includes the practice of disposition in a waterway.

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Ellman measure to strengthen Illinois gun storage becomes law

SPRINGFIELD – Unsecured weapons in homes have caused devastating and avoidable tragedies in recent years, particularly involving children and teenagers. State Senator Laura Ellman passed a critical public safety law to strengthen gun storage standards in Illinois, ensuring firearms are kept out of the hands of children, vulnerable populations and criminals.

“For far too long, we have witnessed the tragic consequences of unsecured firearms in homes,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Firearms, if left unaccounted for and unsecured, pose risks to those who shouldn’t have access to them. Firearm owners can help prevent gun-related incidents by ensuring their guns are securely stored away from others.”

Studies show that unsecured firearms, along with lost or stolen guns, are major contributors to suicides, unintentional shootings, mass shootings, and escalating crime. Nearly 54% of gun owners do not securely lock all of their firearms, and in three-fourths of school shootings, the shooter obtained the firearm from a parent or relative. Alarmingly, 82% of adolescent firearm suicides involve a gun that belonged to a family member.

Read more: Ellman measure to strengthen Illinois gun storage becomes law