Legislation sponsored by State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) that works to increase the rate of infants carried to term was recently signed into law. Senate Bill 317 allows pharmacists to administer progesterone injections, a hormone used to decrease the risk of preterm birth, to women who have a history of delivering prematurely.

“I sponsored this legislation to improve health outcomes by decreasing barriers to care,” Mulroe said. “Over 10 percent of children in Illinois are born prematurely. Something had to be done to lower that rate.”

According to the March of Dimes, the preterm birth rate in Illinois was 9.1 percent for Asian and Hispanic women, 9.4 percent for white women, and 13.6 percent for African American women in 2016. Preterm birth can cause cerebral palsy, developmental delays and vision issues, among other problems.

“It can be difficult for pregnant women to get to the doctor each week for a progesterone shot, especially if they have to travel” Mulroe said. “By allowing pharmacists to administer this medication, I hope that more women will be able to complete the regimen.”

A progesterone regimen requires pregnant women to receive a weekly shot for 20 weeks. Senate Bill 317 includes public safety precautions such as ensuring the patient has a valid prescription, notifying the physician and confirming that the pharmacist is properly trained before administering the medication.

In addition to Senate Bill 317, the governor also signed the following Mulroe-sponsored legislation into law:

• House Bill 2957 which allows patients with chronic conditions who take two or more medications to synchronize their prescriptions such that all medications are dispensed and picked-up at the same time.
• House Bill 3106 which consolidates security functions within the Supreme Court Marshal’s Office and provides that Illinois Supreme Court Marshals are peace officers and have the same powers as police officers and sheriffs.
• House Bill 3874  which clarifies that no person shall operate, register or maintain registration of a motor vehicle anywhere in Illinois, including on private property, unless the vehicle is covered by a liability insurance policy.  

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) to improve public safety and address other issues that passed in the Legislature with broad bipartisan support was signed into law by the governor Friday.

Senate Bill 1343 establishes continuing education standards for probation officers and expands access to training programs, with the goal of better preparing them for the range of issues they encounter on the job.

“These officers have challenging but incredibly important careers helping adults and children find success during their probation and rehabilitation,” Mulroe said.

“The complex situations they deal with, such as addressing the mental health needs of children, and the skills required to do their job are constantly evolving, making continuing education a vital part of their professional development.”

The governor also signed the following Mulroe-sponsored legislation into law:

• Senate Bill 1946 – allows insurance companies and salvage dealers to obtain a junk or salvage car title through the secretary of state in certain cases.
• Senate Bill 1834 – exempts third-party contractors from the requirement for re-possessors to register as repossession agents.
•  Senate Bill 1297 – provides that the Federal Home Loan Bank will not be subject to a stay or prohibited from collecting collateral pledged by an insurance company member who becomes subject to an insolvency proceeding.
• Senate Bill 883 – allows children born within 36 months of the death of a parent to inherit from the deceased parent if the mature sex cells of the deceased are preserved and the child was born with the decedent's consent.
• House Bill 2499 – allows tollway vehicles weighing 9,000 pounds or more to use red or white oscillating or flashing lights and adds them to the definition of authorized emergency vehicle.
• House Bill 2585 – provides that if there is not a newspaper in an area, then public notices required by law may be published in a secular newspaper that has general circulation within the unit of local government or school district.

Mulroe said he appreciates the bipartisan support his legislation earned during a time when it seems like partisanship has overtaken Springfield.

“Working across party lines is the foundation of our democracy,” he said. “I am proud to have sponsored so many bills that received strong support from Republicans and Democrats, as well as the governor’s signature.”

SPRINGFIELD–State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) issued the following statement on the Senate’s override of the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1:

“Today’s vote was about doing the right thing not only for students heading back to school this fall, but also for the next generation of students that will be educated in our public schools.

“Senate Bill 1 fixes a broken system and implements a fair school funding formula for the first time in decades. I supported this legislation because it will benefit every single school district in the state—there are no losers.

“Senate Bill 1 is the result of four years of hearings and negotiations. Though the governor attempted to drastically change this bill in the eleventh hour and take away resources from certain districts, I’m glad that the Senate was able to override his veto and do what’s right for all students in Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago) released the following statement on the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1, a landmark school funding reform measure:

“I am disappointed that today the governor chose to make Chicago the only loser by issuing an amendatory veto to Senate Bill 1. Under Senate Bill 1 as it passed the Senate and the House, no school district would have received less funding than it did last year.

“The governor has toured the state claiming that this legislation is a Chicago ‘bailout’ when in actuality Senate Bill 1 gives CPS the same resources that every other school district in the state receives. It is time to put aside the divisive slogans and do what’s best for all students.

“I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that all students have access to a quality education regardless of where they live.”