SPRINGFIELD –A measure from State Senator Rachel Ventura that would provide opiate use disorder treatments for incarcerated individuals passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee Tuesday.

“Overdoses are the leading cause of death among people returning to their communities after incarceration,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “There is an urgent need for comprehensive opiate use disorder programs statewide, and this legislation would save lies, is compassionate, and has the potential to break the cycle of addiction, improve health outcomes and reduce rates of recidivism.”

JOLIET – State Senator Rachel Ventura released the following statement Thursday after Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order establishing the Illinois Accountability Commission:

SPRINGFIELD – To streamline the licensing process for clinical psychologists in Illinois, State Senator Rachel Ventura partnered with State Representative Nabeela Syed on House Bill 3373, which was signed into law on Friday.

“Life is unpredictable, and the job market can be challenging,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This law will allow students to complete the educational portion of required exams even if they face delays in securing a training residency.”

Current Illinois law requires applicants for a clinical psychologist license to complete a doctorate program and two years of supervised experience before sitting for the licensing exam. Now with the signage of House Bill 3373, the process will be revised, allowing graduates to take the initial exam before completing their postdoctoral training.

"By allowing clinical psychology students to begin their examinations earlier, we are streamlining the licensing process and getting qualified mental health professionals into the workforce sooner," said Syed (D-Inverness). "Our communities deserve reliable and affordable mental health care. Removing needless obstacles and inefficiencies during licensing is going to help make that happen."

House Bill 3373 was signed into law on Aug. 15, 2025 and takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.