SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Terry Link (D-Indian Creek) joined with Senate colleagues this afternoon in supporting a plan to raise the age to legally purchase tobacco in Illinois to 21.

“With the rise in e-cigarette use among teenagers, it is past time we act to reduce tobacco use among our young population,” Link said. “Since most current adult smokers started in their teens, raising the age will curb the next generation of adult smokers and save lives.”

House Bill 345 would make Illinois the eighth state to pass Tobacco 21 legislation. In Illinois, more than 30 localities have already raised the age, including Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, Buffalo Grove and Mundelein.

A key benefit to raising the age is documented decreases in the number of high schoolers who smoke. In Chicago, authorities recorded a drop from 13.6 percent in 2011 to 6 percent in 2017. Raising the age was cited as a key component of the decrease.

Read more ...

SPRINGFIELD – Families of individuals who reside in facilities that care for dementia patients would have the ability to install video and audio monitoring devices in their loved one’s room under a proposal sponsored by State Senator Terry Link (D-Indian Creek) that passed the Senate Public Health Committee this afternoon.

“Dementia patients are especially vulnerable to abuse at the hands of their caretakers,” Link said. “While we know most care staff treat their patients with dignity and respect, allowing video monitoring equipment will serve as a deterrent to misconduct and offer peace of mind to family members.”

Senate Bill 109 allows for electronic monitoring in patient rooms in a building or wing of a building solely dedicated to dementia care. Link’s proposal builds off a 2015 law he passed that allowed for video and audio monitoring equipment in facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities or in long-term care facilities.

Read more ...

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Terry Link (D-Indian Creek) advanced legislation today to provide a property tax credit for surviving spouses of veterans killed or disabled in the line of duty.

“Our veterans and their families have dedicated their professions and their lives to serving our country and the ideals we hold high,” Link said. “As a state, it is important we recognize that sacrifice and ensure we acknowledge the importance their service continues to play,” Link said.

Link’s Senate Bill 110 expands the Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Exemption, providing property tax relief to veterans with service-connected disabilities. The legislation addresses oversights of a 2007 law by adding qualifying spouses to the property tax credit program.

Read more ...

SPRINGFIELD – Freight trains in Illinois would be required to be operated by a crew of at least two people under a safety proposal introduced by State Senator Terry Link (D-Indian Creek) that was discussed today in the Senate Transportation Committee.

“Incidents across the country continue to highlight the importance of two-person crews on freight trains,” Link said. “It is simply a matter of public safety. Two-person crews can react more efficiently to mechanical failures or equipment malfunctions and can potentially save lives in a serious situation.”

Link’s proposal, contained in Senate Bill 24, would require freight trains to be operated by a crew of at least two individuals until a federal rule or law is adopted that addresses how many crew members should operate a freight train.

Read more ...