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“The transformation of this outdated system will help protect survivors of domestic violence and their families, and ensure safety is valued over the ability to post bail.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.

SPRINGFIELD – High school students could soon be required to learn about the dangers of fentanyl thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman.

“Increasing awareness through education is an effective way to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Educating high school students, hopefully before they are exposed to fentanyl, could mean all the difference between a dependency on addictive opioids and connection to a non-addictive medication.”

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 such as hydrocodone or oxycodone, are involved in 70% of fatal drug overdoses.

Under current law, elementary and high school health classes are required to discuss consumer health, personal health habits, alcohol and drug use, but are not required to receive specific instruction on fentanyl or other synthetic opioids.