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 plan sponsored by State Senator Terry Link (D-Indian Creek) that passed the Senate this afternoon.

“No one who is being cared for by medical staff should ever have to worry about being abused or taken advantage of,” 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.”

Read more ...

SPRINGFIELD – Childhood sexual abuse victims would be reaffirmed in their right to bring civil charges against their perpetrator and those who fraudulently concealed their crime under a proposal advanced today by State Senator Terry Link (D-Indian Creek).

“Victims of childhood sexual abuse experience extreme traumas that often leave scars for life,” Link said. “While it is impossible to go back in time and prevent these horrific crimes from occurring, we should be doing everything in our power to seek justice for these individuals.”

Link’s proposal, contained in Senate Bill 1868, reaffirms the ability of victims of childhood sexual abuse cases to bring a civil claim against an abuser or an individual who fraudulently concealed the crime. The legislation builds off a law Link passed in 2013 that eliminated the statute of limitations on bringing civil claims for damages from childhood sexual abuse.

Read more ...

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 ...