SPRINGFIELD – According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fewer than half of jails surveyed across the nation offer some form of medication for opioid use disorder, with only 12.8% making it available to anyone with the disorder. To address the lack of treatments available for incarcerated individuals in the state, State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced Senate Bill 2185.

“Providing these assisted treatments to incarcerated individuals will help break the cycle of addiction, encourage stability in their lives and lead to decreased rates of re-incarceration,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We have seen this work positively in other states. With overdoses being the leading cause of death among people returning to their communities after incarceration, it is clear we need these treatments available statewide to see a difference.”

JOLIET —  State Senator Rachel Ventura – along with several state legislators – joined Governor JB Pritzker on Thursday to celebrate the signing of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, marking a historic measure to lower utility bills for working families while securing Illinois’ long-term energy future.

“The surge in the development of new data centers has put a tremendous strain on our communities by siphoning resources and driving up electricity costs for consumers,” said Ventura (D-Joliet).  “This law will offer much-needed relief by putting significant amounts of new energy into capacity markets and slowing the rapidly rising price hikes.”

SPRINGFIELD -- Two laws spearheaded by State Senator Rachel Ventura will improve nature conservation efforts in the new year by expanding grant funding for forestry projects and paving the way for the implementation of rewilding strategies by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  

“These laws represent important steps forward in repairing the damage caused to the nature in our state by climate change and environmental destruction,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “With these new measures in place, we can expect to see real improvement in the health and stability of our local ecosystems.”

SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Michelle Mussman that will expand the types of contraception pharmacists can dispense to include emergency contraception and non-hormonal options goes into effect Jan. 1.

“By increasing the types of contraceptives pharmacists are able to prescribe, including non-hormonal options, we are expanding health care accessibility that will allow every individual to make the best choice for their birth control,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “These medications have been shown to be safe, effective, and essential for people who do not respond well to hormonal birth control options.”