Illinois State Senator Mary Edly-Allen

Senate greenlights Edly-Allen bill to create certified therapy dog crisis response program

Details: Category: Press Releases; Thursday, April 10, 2025 03:00 PM

SPRINGFIELD — The use of therapy dogs to aid people struggling with PTSD and anxiety has steadily increased nationwide. Over 50,000 therapy dogs are in service today. In an effort to increase the number of therapy dogs available during times of crisis, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen spearheaded Senate Bill 1491 through the Senate.

“Therapy dogs have the ability to help reduce stress-induced trauma, bringing instant comfort and relief,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This bill helps officer wellness and provides the communities officers are serving with certified therapy K-9s to help those in a time of need.”

Anna’s Law passes Senate as Edly-Allen works to strengthen trauma-informed training for law enforcement

Details: Category: Press Releases; Thursday, April 10, 2025 01:22 PM

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SPRINGFIELD — According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in every five women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. To prevent the re-traumatization of sexual assault and rape survivors, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen led Anna’s Law, or Senate Bill 1195, through the Senate.

“As a teacher, it is extremely important to me to come from a position of helping people learn and grow. The intent of this bill is to focus attention on how law enforcement handles survivors of sexual assault,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “While we have come a long way, there is still much work to be done to address this issue. And when we know better, we do better.”

Unnecessary educational mandates to be tackled under Edly-Allen measure

Details: Category: Press Releases; Wednesday, April 09, 2025 02:10 PM

SPRINGFIELD — To bring the Illinois School Code mandates up to date, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen worked with State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, chair of the Senate Education Committee, and multiple statewide education stakeholders to create Senate Bill 1740, which passed the Senate.

“Public school teachers play a critical role in shaping our young minds and preparing them for the future,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “The proposed School Code Mandate Reduction Council will begin evaluating the 699 mandates introduced since 1982 – an essential step toward improving our laws to fit with the evolving education landscape.”

Trauma-informed response training strengthened under Edly-Allen measure

Details: Category: Press Releases; Thursday, April 03, 2025 04:46 PM

AnnasLaw

SPRINGFIELD — After an Illinois woman had a negative experience with police when filing her sexual assault report, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen worked alongside her to create Anna’s Law, or Senate Bill 1195, to address a lack of trauma-informed response training within the state.

“No one should be subjected to being re-traumatized and invalidated in any situation,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “After working with the Illinois State Police, Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and the Illinois Chiefs of Police I am hopeful that this will greatly improve the current training practices in place.”

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