SPRINGFIELD – Come Jan. 1, a law brought by State Senator Laura Ellman will strengthen consumer protections by stopping out-of-state tech companies from misleading residents by advertising themselves as banks when they are not properly regulated or insured.

“When people hear the word ‘bank,’ they assume their money is safe and trust that their deposits are protected,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This law ensures companies can’t play fast and loose with that trust just to grow their customer base.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois families will have the ability to scatter their loved ones' cremated remains according to their traditions and religious beliefs starting Jan. 1, thanks to a law spearheaded by State Senator Laura Ellman.

“In moments of profound loss, families should not also have to navigate uncertainty and red tape,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This measure brings compassion, clarity and dignity to a deeply personal process while ensuring our waterways are treated with care.”

SPRINGFIELD – Park districts and counties will have greater access to state grants for shoreline restoration and protection starting Jan. 1, helping communities address costly environmental damage while easing pressure on local municipalities, under a law led by State Senator Laura Ellman.

“People often don’t realize how expensive shoreline damage can be until it turns into an emergency,” said Ellman (D- Naperville). “This gives communities a way to fix problems early, before those hidden costs fall on homeowners.”

SPRINGFIELD – In the new year, Illinois will have a more reliable and transparent funding source for the Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Water Resources and the critical work it does across the state thanks to State Senator Laura Ellman.

“This is about making sure our water dollars are doing what people expect them to do: protect our rivers, lakes and communities,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Clean water is a shared value, and this gives us the tools and funding to actually back that up.”