SPRINGFIELD - For far too long, unsecured firearms in homes have led to devastating and preventable tragedies, especially among children and teenagers. In response to this ongoing crisis, State Senator Laura Ellman is championing a critical public safety measure to strengthen gun storage standards in Illinois, ensuring firearms are securely stored and kept out of the hands of minors and individuals at risk. Senate Bill 8, which passed the Senate on Thursday, would strengthen Illinois’ safe storage laws and expand protections to help keep guns out of the hands of children, at-risk individuals, 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.

SPRINGFIELD – Establishing a safe pathway for Illinois families to scatter their loved one’s ashes, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced legislation that would create rules allowing cremated remains to be scattered in Illinois waterways.

“Illinois families going through major life adjustments after losing a loved one need support as they navigate through emotional and financial challenges,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “I have heard the concerns of families in my district whose faith requires them to scatter their loved one’s ashes in flowing water, and they are worried about the lack of transparent regulations on scattering rights.”

Currently, Illinois law allows for the scattering of cremated ashes in designated areas with permit approval from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The existing definition of “scattering areas” is limited to soil or ground cover. Ellman’s bill would allow families to scatter one individual’s cremated remains in a river in situations where a tenet of their faith is final disposition in a waterway.

SPRINGFIELD – In recent years, Illinois has seen over 1,700 gun-related deaths, with firearms being the leading cause of death for children and teens. To prevent further harm and keep Illinois families safe, State Senator Laura Ellman is leading a measure to strengthen safety standards for both firearm owners and individuals with potential access to such firearms.

“Unsecured firearms pose a risk to children and their families,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This measure will help ensure owners of firearms store them in a safe and secure manner, preventing unnecessary injury or death.”

Under current law, firearm owners in Illinois must keep their guns temporarily inoperable and in a securely locked container or location a minor under age 14 without a FOID card would not have reasonable access to.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure Illinois families are able to scatter their loved one’s ashes safely and ethically, State Senator Laura Ellman is leading a measure that would allow cremated remains to be scattered in Illinois rivers in certain circumstances.

“Losing a loved one is difficult for any family, especially when those families must handle funeral or cremation expenses while also finding time to grieve and support one another,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Some families with certain religious tenets, such as some of my Hindu constituents, must arrange for the scattering of their loved one’s remains in flowing water, but Illinois law wasn’t clear on whether that’s allowed.”

Currently, Illinois law allows for the scattering of cremated ashes in designated areas with permit approval from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The existing definition of “scattering areas” is limited to soil or ground cover. Ellman’s bill would allow families to scatter one individual’s cremated remains in a river in situations where a tenet of their faith is final disposition in a waterway.