SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman supported a measure to strengthen protections for domestic violence survivors by streamlining the process to allow firearms to be inaccessible for individuals subject to emergency restraining orders.

“Domestic-related gun violence is a devastating reality that leaves lasting scars on families and communities,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Adding this layer of protection for those at risk is a critical preventative measure to safeguard the most vulnerable. I’m proud of this bipartisan legislation my colleagues and I have passed to take meaningful action and address this crisis directly. But our work is far from done, and we must remain committed to preventing further harm.”

House Bill 4144, or Karina’s Law, would strengthen firearm removal requirements when domestic violence protection orders are issued. Under the bill, law enforcement would be required to remove firearms from individuals whose FOID cards are revoked due to emergency restraining orders within 96 hours of a judge’s order. This measure establishes clear guidelines for enforcement, ensuring consistent application statewide and addressing the risks posed by firearms in domestic violence situations.

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman announced that eight school districts across the 21^st District will receive over $915,000 in additional funding to help alleviate financial challenges.

“Evidence-based funding gives schools the resources and financial backing they need,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “These investments are critical in ensuring local schools meet their children’s educational needs.”  

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 its 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.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois students from middle school through high school will learn about the dangers of fentanyl at the start of the 2025-2026 school year, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Laura Ellman.

“Drug overdoses leave families heartbroken and can escalate quickly without immediate, proper care,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Educating our youth – the future of our families and communities – about fentanyl’s serious health risks and how to care for those facing misuse will prevent patterns of abuse across the state.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health states 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.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to ensure transparency between residents and life care facilities, State Senator Laura Ellman sponsored a law to expand pre-sale disclosures to consumers purchasing a refundable life care contract.

“When seniors move into these life care facilities, they expect their beneficiaries and loved ones will have their expenses taken care of after they pass,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “To mitigate unexpected financial risk, this law will create a transparent disclosure agreement for seniors to be better informed of what they are signing.”

This law requires a provider to give consumers a pre-sale disclosure notice that specifies the refund procedure and other data points regarding how many entry fees have been refunded by the provider and how many refunded entry fees are outstanding Further, the law requires providers, who intend to repurpose the living unit, to give the beneficiaries an opportunity to acknowledge and agree to the reappropriation and the specific date of the change.