Murphy law protects students from educator misconduct

SPRINGFIELD – A loophole that left schools in the dark regarding educator misconduct investigations will be closed thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Laura Murphy.

“Investigations into educator misconduct are vital to ensure children are protected in school, which is why closing this loophole is not only important – it’s necessary,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “When school districts are informed about misconduct investigations, they are able to safeguard students.”

Prior to Murphy’s law, the Illinois State Board of Education was prohibited from providing information on pending misconduct charges or ongoing investigations to an educator’s current employing school district. This left school districts in the dark about whether they unknowingly hired a teacher engaged in misconduct, potentially putting their students at risk.

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Murphy to host college savings seminar

DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy is teaming up with the Illinois State Treasurer’s office to host a college funding savings seminar on Sept. 10.

“Saving for your child’s college can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “By attending this seminar, you will learn the best ways to put money aside for future college expenses.”

The seminar will be held Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 6-7 p.m. at the Schaumburg Township Library’s Adult Classroom, located at 130 S. Roselle Rd. It will be presented by the Illinois State Treasurer’s office and is free and open to the public.

Parents will have the opportunity to learn about important college costs to consider, including housing, meals, books and supplies. The presenters will highlight the Bright Start 529 savings plan and how it can be used to cover qualified education costs.

For more information, contact Murphy’s office at 847-718-1110 or online.

Equine therapy will be more accessible under Murphy law

SPRINGFIELD – Medically necessary equine therapy will soon be covered by health insurance thanks to a law championed by State Senator Laura Murphy.

“There are many effective forms for therapy, but insurance roadblocks and cost barriers often leave patients without access to the care they need,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “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 has shown positive effects for people living with PTSD, autism and many other conditions.

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Murphy measure that protects consumers by cracking down on unlicensed car sellers signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy spearheaded a new law to protect consumers by cracking down on unlicensed car dealers deceiving consumers with sales of defective cars.

“This law ensures that we are holding unlicensed car dealers accountable and ensure every car sale meets the standards of safety and honesty,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “Ending curbstoning lifts a burden off of Illinois consumers.”

The goal is to make the already illegal practice of “curbstoning” — a scheme where individual sellers draw car shoppers to places like parking lots and side streets to sell used cars without a license — more difficult. The cars are sold for more money than they are worth and typically have significant issues such as water damage, mileage rollbacks, mechanical issues, or salvaged titles — which are only issued if the car has sustained enough damage to be declared a total loss.

Read more: Murphy measure that protects consumers by cracking down on unlicensed car sellers signed into law