McHenry Times

Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods), recently met with local leaders to discuss how legislation can help address mental health issues and prevent domestic violence.

"Yesterday, I met with local police chiefs and leaders in the fields of domestic violence prevention and mental health to discuss their needs and gain input on how we can best change and develop legislation to address the pressing issues facing our state and move Illinois forward," McConchie wrote in an Aug. 16 Facebook post. 

In June, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed omnibus legislation aimed at increasing the number of mental health professionals in Illinois and expanding access to mental health services, according to a press release. SB 3617 removes some barriers for former mental health professionals that have been out of practice for less than five years, making it easier for them to re-enter the workforce. The bill also allows advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to conduct psychiatric visits to patients who are in special mental health rehabilitation facilities and established a recovery and mental health tax credit for qualified employers with workers who are recovering from substance abuse or mental health problems.

"Adding a recovery and mental health tax credit to employers' human resources arsenal will help reverse the pandemic-driven loss of workers and to help rekindle their ability to recruit new workers," C.E.O. of the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health Jud DeLoss said, according to the release. "It will also help reduce stigma for those in recovery by demonstrating that they are part of the community and should be back working alongside other Illinoisans, and I am proud that the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health helped write the legislation and get the bill over the finish line."

In August 2021, Pritzker signed several bills related to domestic violence, some of which took effect in January of this year, according to a release. HB 3317 establishes a Domestic Violence Taskforce Act, also called Colton's Taskforce. Cassandra Tanner-Miller worked to help get the bill passed after her 18-month-old son, Colton Miller, was killed by his father. The taskforce will review the state's domestic violence laws in order to identify gaps and make recommendations about where improvements are needed to protect victims and survivors and hold offenders accountable.

"Colton's Taskforce will have inclusive membership, including domestic abuse survivors, law-enforcement officials and legal experts," Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) said, according to the press release. "This will allow the state to take a more comprehensive look at its domestic violence laws, including best practices and laws from across the country."

HB 3223, which will take effect in July of 2025, adds support and protections for Illinois students who have been victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse, as well as students who are parents or expecting parents. The bill aims to help these students stay in school, be safe, and complete their educations. One measure of the bill requires all schools to have at least one staff member who is trained to respond to disclosures of domestic and sexual violence. Another provision requires school districts to conduct a comprehensive review of all policies and produces and revise any that are barriers to students' success.