Today State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) honored Corporal Donald W. Bollman by dedicating the bridge on Illinois Route 19 that crosses the Des Plaines River in his memory. Corporal Bollman, who gave his life during the Vietnam War, was a lifelong resident of Norridge before serving in the Marines.
 
“It is important for us to remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives for our safety and our freedom,” Mulroe said. “I was privileged to sponsor the resolution to dedicate this bridge across the Des Plaines River to Corporal Donald Bollman. Though he died 50 years ago, his memory and sacrifice will live on with this bridge.”
 
Corporal Bollman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1965. He served in California as a Marine Guard before beginning a tour in South Vietnam. While serving in South Vietnam, his company came under attack from a North Vietnamese battalion. Corporal Bollman was killed in action on March 1, 1967 at the age of 23. He received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with a V for Valor for his service.
 
“This bridge dedication means so much to our family because it not only honors the loss of our beloved brother Donald, who sacrificed his life for his country, but after all these years we know now he will never be forgotten,” Norman Bollman, brother of Corporal Donald Bollman said. “I know that it will help my brothers and sister to finally have some closure even though he will always be a part of our lives.”
 
The bridge is located on West Irving Park Road. A sign commemorating Corporal Donald Bollman is now in place at the entrance to the bridge.

State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) issued the following statement on today’s school funding vote:

“Today I voted to provide adequate and equitable school funding for all districts in the state. Though I am disheartened that the governor inserted last-minute ideas into legislation that has been debated for years, this measure needed support from both sides of the aisle to pass. Ultimately, a price tag of $75 million for a five-year pilot program for private school scholarships was worth it to fix our broken school funding system.”

Under a new law sponsored by State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago), victims of certain child sex crimes will now have until they are 43-years-old to prosecute the transgression. Previously, victims of child sex crimes only had until they turned 19 to bring charges.

“It can take years for victims of child sex crimes to process what happened to them and decide if they want to press charges,” Mulroe said. “This new law gives victims 25 years from when they turn 18 to make that decision.”

Senate Bill 1842 applies to victims of involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor and trafficking in persons.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 100 cases of human trafficking have been reported in Illinois in 2017.

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.