SPRINGFIELD – Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, high school students will be required to learn about the dangers of fentanyl thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Laura Ellman.

“In order to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic on all fronts we need to educate our most vulnerable populations, which includes young people,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “The age of fentanyl exposure is younger than we think. Educating high school students on the dangers of fentanyl in their health classes is the next step in ending the opioid epidemic.”

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, a lethal dose of fentanyl is smaller than a drop of water. Opioids, including fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs are involved in 70% of fatal drug overdoses.

Currently, elementary and high school health classes are required to discuss consumer health, personal health habits and substance use, but they are not required to provide specific instruction on fentanyl or other synthetic opioids.

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman is encouraging agencies across the 21^st District to apply for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants.

“Park development is a great way to beautify a community,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “I encourage local agencies interested in developing public parks and outdoor recreation areas to apply for this grant.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be accepting applications for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, grants through Aug. 31.

The program offers state-financed funding assistance to local governmental agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and outdoor recreation areas. A total of $56 million is available for this round of OSLAD grants. In addition, IDNR will once again provide funding to cover 100% of eligible projects located in economically distressed communities.

Applications are being accepted through Aug. 31 and should be submitted to IDNR. For more information on the OSLAD program, visit IDNR’s website.

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman released the following statement in response to the Illinois
Supreme Court’s ruling on the pretrial release portions of the SAFE-T Act:

“The transformation of this outdated system will help protect survivors of domestic violence and their families, and ensure safety is valued over the ability to post bail. Access to quick cash does not contribute to public safety, which is vitally important for our communities. This measure has the capability to transform the criminal justice system in Illinois into a more equitable system.”

Click here to learn the facts about the SAFE-T Act.

SPRINGFIELD – Additional Illinois hospitals can provide stroke care, thanks to a new law carried by State Senator Laura Ellman.

“Every second counts, so quick access to care can mean all the difference when treating a stroke,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Expanding the list of hospitals allowed to provide stroke care is a proactive and life-saving measure that will improve the level of care for patients experiencing a stroke.”

According to the CDC, a stroke occurs when the blood supply to an area of the brain is blocked or when a brain blood vessel bursts. Strokes are a leading cause of death and a major cause of serious long-term disability. Patients who arrive at the emergency room within three hours of their first symptoms show better outcomes three months after a stroke than those who delayed care.

Ellman’s new law adds Primary Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Centers and Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Centers to the list of hospitals that can provide stroke care in Illinois. The law also sets guidelines for establishing and maintaining specific facility designations, suspending and restoring designations, and sets an annual fee.