SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy’s bill to make equine therapy more accessible has passed the Senate.

“Equine therapy is an incredible tool that can be used by occupational therapists to meet the unique needs of their patients,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “When insurance covers equine therapy, more individuals can access this transformative care – supporting mental health, emotional growth and recovery without the burden of high out-of-pocket costs.”

Equine therapy is a term that 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 and autism.

SPRINGFIELD – A new measure from State Senator Laura Murphy would close a loophole that leaves schools in the dark about educator misconduct investigations.

“Children must be protected at school, and to do so, the districts must be kept up to date about the teachers they employ,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “A school district has a right to know if an educator they have employed is the subject of a misconduct investigation.”

Current law prohibits the Illinois State Board of Education from providing information on pending misconduct charges or ongoing investigations to an educator’s current employing school district. However, this leaves many parents and guardians feeling concerned when an investigation is concluded and released to the public. This also leaves school districts in the dark about whether they unknowingly hired a teacher engaged in misconduct, potentially putting their students at risk.

SPRINGFIELD – A new measure from State Senator Laura Murphy would close a loophole that leaves schools in the dark about educator misconduct investigations.

“Children must be protected at school, and to do so, the districts must be kept up to date about the teachers they employ,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “A school district has a right to know if an educator they have employed is the subject of a misconduct investigation.”

Current law prohibits the Illinois State Board of Education from providing information on pending misconduct charges or ongoing investigations to an educator’s current employing school district. However, this leaves many parents and guardians feeling concerned when an investigation is concluded and released to the public. This also leaves school districts in the dark about whether they unknowingly hired a teacher engaged in misconduct, potentially putting their students at risk.

SPRINGFIELD – Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease may become more accessible thanks to a new proposal from State Senator Laura Murphy.

“Early and consistent access to Alzheimer’s treatment can make a real difference for patients and their families,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “No one should be denied care that could slow the disease’s progression.”

The measure would require group or individual health insurance plans to cover all medically necessary FDA-approved treatments or medications to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Many available treatments are only effective in the early stages of the disease.