SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura, a staunch advocate for criminal justice reform, announced her support of House Bill 3288, which includes portions of her previous bill, House Bill 5396, to address Prisoner Review Board transparency and changes to the structure and procedures of the board.HB 3288 was sponsored by Senate President Don Harmon, who thanked Ventura and her interns for their work on this bill in the Senate Executive Committee.

“Essential changes are needed to enhance the fairness and transparency of Illinois’ medical release procedures,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Our actions must reflect our values; we are sending a clear message that as a body our belief in justice is inclusive of compassion, rehabilitation, as well as fiscally responsible.”

BOLINGBROOK – State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Dagmara Avelar are partnering up with Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian) to host a Holiday Turkey giveaway for those in Bolingbrook on Dec. 18.

“Giving back to the community in any way we can has been a priority of mine since entering office,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We want families in need to know they have holiday meal options, including food pantries, available in the district to help food insecurity. I’m grateful we could partner together and make the holidays happier for our community.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Rachel Ventura pushed for the CURE Act to receive support at the House Mental Health & Addiction Committee hearing on “Psychedelics as Behavioral Health Treatment” Tuesday to shed light on the potential of psychedelics to alleviate mental health, addiction, PTSD and trauma issues.

The hearing included insight from behavioral health professionals and consumers, along with testimony on the importance of House Bill 1/Senate Bill 3695, known as the Illinois CURE Act sponsored by State Representative La Shawn K. Ford and Ventura.

“The Illinois CURE Act can save countless lives – integrated therapy-based sessions following exposure would create real change in an individual’s life who has exhausted other methods previously. Psilocybin would open new pathways in the brain to help pinpoint things that need to be worked on,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “During this subject matter hearing my colleagues and I had the opportunity to explain that plant medicine, such as psilocybin, has long been stigmatized. I am dedicated to this bipartisan collaboration and remain hopeful that we can pass this historic legislation that would aid not only veterans, but all Illinoisans, suffering from mental illnesses, PTSD, substance abuse and more.”

CHICAGO – State Representative Lindsey LaPointe, Chair of the House Mental Health & Addiction Committee, will host a hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 10 on “Psychedelics as Behavioral Health Treatment”, to shed light on the potential of psychedelics to alleviate mental health, addiction, PTSD and trauma issues. The hearing will include insight from behavioral health professionals and consumers, along with testimony on the importance of House Bill 1/Senate Bill 3695, known as the Illinois CURE Act sponsored by State Representative La Shawn K. Ford and State Senator Rachel Ventura.