Senator Sims advances the Youth Health and Safety Act

SPRINGFIELD - In an effort to protect young women’s reproductive rights and choices, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) advanced the Youth Health and Safety Act.

“We know that most young people alert or involve a parent or older family member in their decision making when something as serious as a pregnancy happens,” Sims said. “In fact, research shows us that the younger someone is, the more likely they are to discuss it with a family member and when they don’t, they have a good reason.”

Under current law, young women, some in troubled family circumstances, must notify an adult family member at least 48 hours before having an abortion. However, Sims and other supporters of the legislation point out that not all family systems are created equal and that youth who come from these circumstances are placed in harm’s way by forcing them into unhealthy conversations.

“It’s important to acknowledge that current law causes harm by placing barriers to care for young women in unsafe family situations,” said Sims. “This bill builds on the approach this state has taken to reproductive health care over the past few years– placing the power to make individual, personal decisions about reproductive health care in the hands of residents and their health care providers.”

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Sims supports ethics reform to create transparency in state government

CHICAGO—State Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to Senate Bill 539, a comprehensive plan that changes the code of ethics for Illinois public officials and governmental entities:

“The values and expectations of political morality are derived from the principles of Justice. This bill puts real teeth into our current lobbying practices while addressing consultant loopholes and enhancing transparency.

“While more work remains to be done to restore the faith Illinois citizens have in their government,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. “They demanded real ethics reform like those included in this bill, changes like stopping the practice of legislators using their influence to lobby other governments and working to enact pro-rated salaries for legislators who leave office before the end of their term. Many of the changes included in this bill place Illinois on the path to restoring the faith citizens must have to make our democracy successful.

Our work continues…”

Youth in DCFS custody to receive proper baggage when transferring through the system

 SPRINGFIELD- Children in custody under the care of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will now receive appropriate baggage under a new law sponsored by Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago).

“This measure simply removes one of the challenges these children face within the DCFS system which may seem small but is really about not being cruel,” said Sims. “It’s not fair for some of these children to have to choose between toys and other keepsakes when moving because they simply do not have enough storage space for their belongings.”

Under current law there are no restrictions or requirements for what kind of baggage can be used in the relocation processes of youth.

In some cases, children were found storing or carrying their belongings in garbage bags while moving around within the child welfare system. Senate Bill 2177 seeks to ban giving children in custody plastic bags, trash bags, pillow cases and similar containers to store their personal belongings.

The initiative, led by the National Association of Social Workers Illinois Chapter, will become effective immediately.

Sims’ plan to expand agricultural education for students becomes law

SPRINGFIELD – Agricultural sciences will now be added as a type of course that may be counted towards the requirement for three years of sciences in order to gain admission to an Illinois public university under a plan backed by State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago).
“The study of agriculture is vitally important, and our curricula should reflect that,” said Sims. “It’s exclusion as an option of course study for admission did students who plan to one day work in the field a huge disservice.”

Currently, the minimum requirements to gain admission to state universities include the completion of at least 15 units of high school coursework in the following subjects: English, Social studies, Mathematics, (Laboratory) Sciences and electives in either foreign language, music, vocational education, or art.

Currently, some colleges may accept agricultural science under the auspice of a "science course" but not all are doing so. This legislation will add some conformity to the available options.

“There a wide variety of subjects taught in agriculture, whether it be math, economics, biochemistry and more.” Sims said. “I’m proud of the work done to expand studying options as every course should be considered equal for our students and their studies.”

House Bill 3218 was signed into law, and will become effective immediately.