August 12, 2025 • 5 mins
In this edition of the News Brief, we explore three new laws making a real difference in Illinois. Senator Julie Morrison expands Illinois State Police authority to investigate online child exploitation. Senator Robert Peters gives workers more retirement savings flexibility. Senator Laura Murphy ensures insurance covers medically necessary equine therapy. These changes put safety, financial security, and health first for Illinois residents.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to this edition of the News Brief, part of
the Sound of the State podcast series from the Illinois
Senate Democratic Caucus, keeping you up to date with what's
happening in Springfield and around the state. I'm Colby Huff.
With the rise in digital communication among children, threats from
online predators have become more frequent and sophisticated. To help
law enforcement respond faster and more effectively, State Senator Julie
(00:22):
Morrison's new law expands the authority of Illinois State Police
to investigate and stop online child exploitation. Senator Morrison of
Lake Forest said in part law enforcement should have every
tool available to track down those who try to harm children.
This new law insurance Illinois State Police can work seamlessly
with other agencies to pursue online predators, no matter where
(00:43):
they're located. The new law grants the Illinois State Police
Division of Criminal Investigation broader jurisdiction to pursue online child
exploitation cases work alongside local task forces across the state.
It will usher in improved response times, close jurisdictional gaps,
and strengthen coordination between agencies working to protect children from
digital threats. The measure is modeled off of Alisha's Law,
(01:04):
a national initiative that empowers specialized law enforcement units to
track and prosecute predators who target children online. In addition
to expanding protections for children, the law includes several technical
changes to update ISP's procedures related to task force liability coverage,
the handling of commercial vehicle safety checks, and the security
of criminal justice systems, including the data these systems hold
(01:26):
and the agencies that manage it. Senator Morrison continues, online
predators don't limit themselves within county lines, and our investigations
into their actions shouldn't either. With this law, we're making
it clear that Illinois puts the safety of our kids first.
Saving for retirement will become easier and more flexible for
thousands of Illinois workers thanks to a new law from
(01:46):
State Senator Robert Peters of Chicago that expands access to portable,
customizable savings options. Our residents, says Senator Peters, deserve retirement
saving options that offer them greater flexibility and control while
still prioritizing their financial security. This law does just that,
empowering people to tailor their financial planning, addressing financial vulnerability
(02:07):
and promoting equity in retirement savings. In twenty fifteen, the
state created the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program to address
the growing gap in retirement savings for Illinois workers. Nearly
forty percent of private sector workers in the state do
not have access to an employer sponsored retirement plan, leaving
many with no way to save for the future. Since
its inception, the program has helped over one hundred and
(02:28):
fifty thousand participants save more than two hundred million dollars
for retirement, with more than twenty five thousand employers offering
the program to their workers. Senator Peter's law expands these
efforts as it gives workers more options for retirement savings.
Allowing workers to hold both a traditional IRA and a
roth IRA. The law offers more flexibility and personalized savings strategies.
(02:49):
The law also makes the program more portable, meaning workers
can continue contributing to their retirement savings even if they
change jobs without losing track of their funds. Senator Peters continues,
financial security during retirement shouldn't be based on if your
employer offers a plan or allows a previous plan to
transfer over. We're giving residents the support they need to
take charge of their financial planning and ensuring employers do
(03:10):
their part in closing the financial security gap. Senate Bill
fourteen forty one took effect immediately upon the Governor's signature.
Medically necessary equine therapy will soon be covered by health
insurance thanks to a lawn championed by State Senator Laura
Murphy of dust Planes. Senator Murphy said, in part, there
are many effective forms for therapy, but insurance roadblocks and
cost barriers often leave patients without access to the care
(03:33):
they need. Equine therapy can support mental health and emotional growth,
and soon it will be available to individuals who could
benefit from this treatment but couldn't afford it. Equine therapy
encompasses therapies that involve interacting with horses, including specific therapies
used by physical, occupational, and speech therapists to engage different
sensory responses for patients. It is shown positive effects for
(03:55):
people living with PTSD, autism, and many other conditions. Under
Senator Murphy's law, medically necessary equine therapy performed by a
licensed therapist and other forms of therapeutic writing programs would
be covered by health insurance providers starting January first, twenty
twenty seven. Senator Murphy continues, therapy isn't a luxury, which
is why I have been working for years to ensure
(04:16):
that different forms of therapy, including equine therapy, are accessible
to the hardworking people of Illinois. When insurance companies cover
treatments like equine therapy, we empower the people of Illinois
and help improve outcomes for patients. For more on the
stories you just heard and others, visit Illinois Senate Democrats
(04:36):
dot com and subscribe to our weekly Majority Report newsletter.
You can listen to the Sound of the State podcast series,
as well as our Spanish version, estadodella Stato with Carlos Mendez,
featuring regular updates and in depth conversations with our senators
on your choice of platforms including the iHeartRadio app, Spotify,
Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Andorra and more. From the Springfield
(04:58):
Office of Senate to President dot Harmon, I'm Coldbee Hoff.
Welcome to this edition of the News Brief, part of
the Sound of the State podcast series from the Illinois
Senate Democratic Caucus, keeping you up to date with what's
happening in Springfield and around the state. I'm Colby Huff.
With the rise in digital communication among children, threats from
online predators have become more frequent and sophisticated. To help
law enforcement respond faster and more effectively, State Senator Julie
(00:22):
Morrison's new law expands the authority of Illinois State Police
to investigate and stop online child exploitation. Senator Morrison of
Lake Forest said in part law enforcement should have every
tool available to track down those who try to harm children.
This new law insurance Illinois State Police can work seamlessly
with other agencies to pursue online predators, no matter where
(00:43):
they're located. The new law grants the Illinois State Police
Division of Criminal Investigation broader jurisdiction to pursue online child
exploitation cases work alongside local task forces across the state.
It will usher in improved response times, close jurisdictional gaps,
and strengthen coordination between agencies working to protect children from
digital threats. The measure is modeled off of Alisha's Law,
(01:04):
a national initiative that empowers specialized law enforcement units to
track and prosecute predators who target children online. In addition
to expanding protections for children, the law includes several technical
changes to update ISP's procedures related to task force liability coverage,
the handling of commercial vehicle safety checks, and the security
of criminal justice systems, including the data these systems hold
(01:26):
and the agencies that manage it. Senator Morrison continues, online
predators don't limit themselves within county lines, and our investigations
into their actions shouldn't either. With this law, we're making
it clear that Illinois puts the safety of our kids first.
Saving for retirement will become easier and more flexible for
thousands of Illinois workers thanks to a new law from
(01:46):
State Senator Robert Peters of Chicago that expands access to portable,
customizable savings options. Our residents, says Senator Peters, deserve retirement
saving options that offer them greater flexibility and control while
still prioritizing their financial security. This law does just that,
empowering people to tailor their financial planning, addressing financial vulnerability
(02:07):
and promoting equity in retirement savings. In twenty fifteen, the
state created the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program to address
the growing gap in retirement savings for Illinois workers. Nearly
forty percent of private sector workers in the state do
not have access to an employer sponsored retirement plan, leaving
many with no way to save for the future. Since
its inception, the program has helped over one hundred and
(02:28):
fifty thousand participants save more than two hundred million dollars
for retirement, with more than twenty five thousand employers offering
the program to their workers. Senator Peter's law expands these
efforts as it gives workers more options for retirement savings.
Allowing workers to hold both a traditional IRA and a
roth IRA. The law offers more flexibility and personalized savings strategies.
(02:49):
The law also makes the program more portable, meaning workers
can continue contributing to their retirement savings even if they
change jobs without losing track of their funds. Senator Peters continues,
financial security during retirement shouldn't be based on if your
employer offers a plan or allows a previous plan to
transfer over. We're giving residents the support they need to
take charge of their financial planning and ensuring employers do
(03:10):
their part in closing the financial security gap. Senate Bill
fourteen forty one took effect immediately upon the Governor's signature.
Medically necessary equine therapy will soon be covered by health
insurance thanks to a lawn championed by State Senator Laura
Murphy of dust Planes. Senator Murphy said, in part, there
are many effective forms for therapy, but insurance roadblocks and
cost barriers often leave patients without access to the care
(03:33):
they need. Equine therapy can support mental health and emotional growth,
and soon it will be available to individuals who could
benefit from this treatment but couldn't afford it. Equine therapy
encompasses therapies that involve interacting with horses, including specific therapies
used by physical, occupational, and speech therapists to engage different
sensory responses for patients. It is shown positive effects for
(03:55):
people living with PTSD, autism, and many other conditions. Under
Senator Murphy's law, medically necessary equine therapy performed by a
licensed therapist and other forms of therapeutic writing programs would
be covered by health insurance providers starting January first, twenty
twenty seven. Senator Murphy continues, therapy isn't a luxury, which
is why I have been working for years to ensure
(04:16):
that different forms of therapy, including equine therapy, are accessible
to the hardworking people of Illinois. When insurance companies cover
treatments like equine therapy, we empower the people of Illinois
and help improve outcomes for patients. For more on the
stories you just heard and others, visit Illinois Senate Democrats
(04:36):
dot com and subscribe to our weekly Majority Report newsletter.
You can listen to the Sound of the State podcast series,
as well as our Spanish version, estadodella Stato with Carlos Mendez,
featuring regular updates and in depth conversations with our senators
on your choice of platforms including the iHeartRadio app, Spotify,
Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Andorra and more. From the Springfield
(04:58):
Office of Senate to President dot Harmon, I'm Coldbee Hoff.
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