SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) advanced legislation today that would allow investigations of alleged sexual harassment in local government to fall under the authority of the Executive Inspector General.

Sexual harassment allegations are extremely serious. When it was discovered that there was a loop hole and local elected officials were not protected under any current sexual harassment laws, it was concerning.

Murphy’s measure gives the Executive Ethics Commission and the Executive Inspector General jurisdiction over sexual harassment allegations at the local government level and the authority to investigate these charges.

“There have been multiple examples of sexual harassment at the local level,” Murphy said. “Letting the Executive Inspector General have the ability to investigate these allegations will help tremendously by allowing these investigations to be done properly.”

Senate Bill 1223 passed the Illinois State Senate with bipartisan support and now moves to the House for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure passed by the Illinois Senate would require sexual assault between students at school to be reported, thanks to Des Plaines Democrat State Senator Laura Murphy.

Murphy’s measure would require school districts to submit annual reports of sexual assault incidents between students to the Illinois State Board of Education.

“This is a step forward in cracking down on sexual assault,” Murphy said. “Young people are impressionable, and we need to monitor and exterminate this behavior now. Students have homework and tests to worry about; they shouldn’t fear going to school because they might be sexually assaulted.”

In October of 2017, NBC news highlighted the rise in student against student sexual assault and the lack of state laws requiring schools to report these incidents. Thirty-eight states require school districts to report these cases. If this measure passes the House, it will make Illinois the 39^th state.

Senate Bill 1249 passed the Illinois State Senate and now moves to the House for consideration.

DES PLAINES – Area residents who wish to learn more about clean energy in Illinois are invited to a town hall meeting Tuesday, April 23, in Elk Grove.

State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) will host the discussion at the Elk Grove Park District Garden Terrace along with State Representative Marty Moylan and State Representative Michelle Mussman.

The Illinois Sierra Club, Illinois Solar Energy Association and Citizens Utility Board will be speaking about Illinois programs regarding clean energy and ways to reduce your energy bills.

“Our state has been working on multiple programs to ensure that Illinois moves toward more clean energy in the future,” Murphy said. “This town hall offers residents a chance to learn about these different programs and how they can do their part as well.”

What: Town hall meeting regarding clean energy
When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23
Where: Elk Grove Park District Garden Terrace in the Pavilion Meeting Room, 1000 Wellington, Elk Grove.
Who: State Senator Laura Murphy, State Representative Marty Moylan, State Representative Michelle Mussman, Illinois Sierra Club, Illinois Solar Energy Association, Citizens Utility Board

DES PLAINES – To help make roads safer, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) advanced legislation last week that would require the Illinois Department of Transportation to look further into fatal car accidents that involve a pedestrian.

Murphy’s measure would require IDOT to conduct a traffic study after any fatal accident involving a pedestrian and release the results of that study to their website. This is the first step and starts the process to make changes to improve the safety of all people.

“It’s important that we are constantly looking at ways to improve safety in our communities,” Murphy said. “Road safety is important, but sometimes people forget about pedestrians and their safety. We need to become more pedestrian friendly and find solutions to why these accidents continue to occur.”

Senate Bill 1200 passed through the Senate unanimously last Thursday and now moves to the House for consideration.