SPRINGFIELD – Standing in defense of Jewish communities across the nation and responding to the recent murder of two Israeli embassy staff members, State Senator Laura Fine shares the fears felt by Jews and called on fellow lawmakers and the public to stand together against antisemitism during a press conference on Tuesday.

“I am horrified, saddened and heartbroken to address yet another act of terror against our Jewish community. I am also angry that the fears our Jewish community has shared for years have been met with silence, giving way to more violence and normalizing extremism,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “We must respond with urgency, communicate empathy between communities, and take the simple charge of supporting one another.”

Last Wednesday, Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, a couple who worked at the Israeli embassy, were leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. As they stood outside the museum, the young couple were mercilessly assassinated in the street by a gunman in an act of terror.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine passed a measure in the Senate that helps people struggling with substance abuse and mental health challenges by strengthening reporting standards for overdoses.

“Thousands of Illinoisans face opioid overdoses every year – more than motor vehicle accidents and homicides,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “The opioid crisis has taken lives and a sense of security in our communities, which is why it is critical to initiate life-saving preventative measures.”

Currently, Illinois law only requires Chicago EMS providers to report overdose information using the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program tool. This free web-based tool provides the most up-to-date suspected overdose surveillance data to support public safety and health efforts.

SPRINGFIELD – Addressing the detrimental, long-term environmental impact from disposable food packaging, State Senator Laura Fine presented legislation at a climate rally on Wednesday to phase out harmful polystyrene food containers.

“Commonly, people will take home their restaurant leftovers or to-go orders in polystyrene foam food containers – completely unaware of their hazardous capabilities,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Throwing away the container or using it to store food is often brief, but its impact can last a lifetime by compromising our health and our environment.”

In 2023, Fine passed the Degradable Plastic Act to ban state agencies and universities from purchasing or using polystyrene by Jan. 1, 2025. Building on these efforts, Senate Bill 1531 would prohibit the sale or distribution of polystyrene foam food containers across Illinois starting Jan. 1, 2030.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure led by State Senator Laura Fine that would provide coverage to vital emergency neonatal intensive care is one step closer to becoming law.

“Within the critical first hours of life, no parent should have to decide between ensuring their child receives life-saving care or avoiding hefty out-of-pocket costs,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Parents want protect their children at every stage of life. This measure gives parents the ability to do that.”

To treat premature or critically ill newborns, neonatal care is often necessary and may require specialized treatments that might not be covered by a patient’s health insurance network. House Bill 2464 would address the importance of immediate care by requiring private insurers to cover emergency neonatal care, regardless of whether the provider is in or out of the patient’s network. This ensures families are not billed for greater out-of-pocket costs than they would have incurred with a participating provider.