DES PLAINES – Public housing applicants will be able to learn where they are on the waiting list under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy, bringing more transparency to a placement process that can take years in some communities because of the high demand for affordable housing.

“People who rely on public housing already suffer from limited resources,” Murphy (D – Des Plaines) said. “Ensuring them the opportunity to learn their place in line gives them the ability to budget these resources so they don’t run out over the course of a potentially long wait.”

Senate Bill 3081, which was signed into law Tuesday, says public housing operators must provide information about an applicant’s position on the wait list within 10 business days upon request.

The measure passed the Senate and the House with bipartisan support and is effective immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase the donor pool of a lifesaving medical procedure, a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy will increase awareness of bone marrow donations in Illinois.

Senate Bill 3062, which was signed into law today, requires the Department of Public Health to develop and disseminate information about the National Bone Marrow Donor Program. The informational materials will talk about the existence of the program and how to join it, the need for bone marrow donations, the types of patients who benefit from bone marrow donations, and how to acquire free swab kits in order to self-test one’s compatibility as a donor.

“Bone marrow donations are often critical in treating life threatening forms of cancer for many patients across the state,” said Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat. “By requiring the Department of Public Health to distribute information, it allows people who might not even be aware of their ability to become donors in the first place to save lives by making crucial and much-needed donations of bone marrow.”

The law allows for the information to be spread through talks, in print, electronically, or by any other method. It passed through the Senate and the House with bipartisan support and is effective immediately.

DES PLAINES — Less than two years after his tragic death, State Senator Laura Murphy secured justice for Buddy.

“I am so relieved that we finally have justice for Buddy,” said Murphy, a Democrat from Des Plaines. “This legislation will hold owners responsible if their dog kills another dog.”

Buddy was a 10-year-old Yorkie from Hanover Park who was attacked and killed by a neighbor’s dogs in 2017. Today the governor signed Murphy’s proposal to crack down on owners of dangerous animals.

Under the measure, Senate Bill 2386, dog owners could be defined as “reckless” if their animal is deemed dangerous for killing another dog and is found running at large twice within 12 months. If a person is determined to be a reckless owner, all dogs on their property will be forfeited to a licensed shelter, rescue or sanctuary. Reckless dog owners will be prohibited from owning dogs for up to three years if found guilty.

The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2019. Murphy was compelled to propose the measure after learning about the circumstances of Donna Dary and her dog, Buddy, who had been with her since he was 2 months old. Dary’s neighbor disregarded guidelines about dog muzzles – a contributing factor in the attack on Buddy – and the dogs were found running at large within a week of killing the Yorkie.

“I hope this legislation will prevent tragic deaths like Buddy’s from occurring,” Murphy said.

State Senator Laura Murphy (D - Des Plaines) joined Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on Tuesday to honor local veterans of the Vietnam War at an Elk Grove Village VFW Hall.

As part of the event, Senator Murphy presented the veterans with pins commemortating the 50th Anniversay of the War.

"It is truly a humbling experience to be in the presence of some of our country’s true heroes, and it is my absolute pleasure to provide them with these pins honoring their service," Murphy said. "This pin does not go nearly far enough to express the gratitude we have for their bravery and sacrifice. Truthfully, I don’t know if anything can, but that won’t stop me from taking a few minutes of time each and every day to truly thank them for their service and what it means to our great nation."