VILLA PARK – A new Illinois law will provide greater safety for police dogs thanks to State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park).

Cullerton sponsored House Bill 1671, known as the Police Dog Service Protection Act, to add several statutory protections for police dogs. It was signed into law Friday.

“Taking care of our police dogs is a sign of humanity and an investment in our public safety needs.” Cullerton said. “This new law will institute precautions to keep these valuable assets to our police force safe.”

The new law will require a vehicle transporting a police dog to be equipped with a heat sensor that remotely alerts law enforcement if the vehicle reaches 85 degrees. Vehicles will also be equipped with a safety mechanism to lower the interior temperature.

House Bill 1671 also requires police dogs to receive an annual medical examination and rabies vaccination.

There is currently no language in the Illinois statute outlining the treatment and transportation of police dogs.
In June 2017, a Cook County Forest Preserve police dog died due to heat exposure after being left unattended in a police car.

“Police dogs are often unsung heroes,” Cullerton said. “Our state must provide the necessary precautions and protections to our police K-9s so they can continue to keep our streets safe.”

House Bill 1671 passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support and will take effect Jan. 1, 2019.

VILLA PARK — State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) passed legislation this session to ensure the safety of the lead content in Illinois drinking water.

Children under the age of six are most vulnerable to harm from lead in their drinking water because of their developing brains, and infants who rely on drinking water to mix formula are among the most exposed.

Cullerton sponsored Senate Bill 2996, which updates the definition of "elevated blood lead level" to match with the definition from the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The bill was signed into law on Friday.

“It’s our duty to protect our drinking water for the sake of our children and generations to come,” Cullerton said. “We need to ensure every necessary precaution to keep our children safe.”

The new law requires state regulators to adopt the most recent childhood blood lead level reference value from the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in determining what is an “elevated” level of lead in the bloodstream, as well as the current requirements for the inspection of regulated facilities occupied by children based on that updated definition.

It also updates any other existing rules that will assist the Department of Public Health in its efforts to prevent the dangerous health effects of lead poisoning among children.

Senate Bill 2996 passed the Senate and House with unanimous support and will take effect on Jan. 1, 2019.

VILLA PARK – Siphoning funds from state agencies to pay the governor’s staff is no longer legal, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park).

Cullerton pushed for House Bill 5121 after recent payroll reports had shown only 44 of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s staff are actually paid from the governor’s budget while 58 people are hidden in other agency payrolls.

“It is absolutely outrageous that the governor of Illinois is utilizing irresponsible and inaccurate accounting practices to abuse the trust of DuPage County taxpayers,” Cullerton said. “This will stop now.”

The legislation prohibits the governor's office from using other agency appropriations to pay for governor's office employees for the current administration and all going forward.

Prior to this law, Rauner was allowed to record the governor’s office’s official budget at only $4.9 million, but it was actually closer to $10 million when counting employees that work in his office but are paid by other agencies.

“Off-shoring employees’ salaries onto the budgets of vital state agencies that take care of our children, seniors and veterans is a blatant misuse of power,” Cullerton said. “This new law will promote an open and honest system where the hard-earned tax dollars of DuPage County families are spent wisely and responsibly.”

House Bill 5121 will close the inter-agency agreement loophole that exempts the agency whose appropriation is being used from having to certify the individual has performed work for that agency.

“The people of Illinois deserve to know how their valuable tax dollars are being spent,” Cullerton said.

House Bill 5121 goes into effect immediately.

ELMHURST – Health care professionals will have another tool to battle life-threatening allergies thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park).

The life-saving measure, Senate Bill 2226, was signed into law Tuesday.

The law expands the use of EpiPens to physicians, physician's assistants or advanced practice registered nurses who have prescription authority by taking away liability in civil or professional suits.

“Food allergies can be deadly. We need to ensure our emergency responders and physicians have the necessary tools to save lives,” Cullerton said. “This new law will cut out government bureaucracy to help guarantee people can get the necessary help they need.”

This measure expands on practices outlined in the life-saving Annie LeGere Law, which went into effect last year. It allows for Illinois police officers to carry and administer EpiPens on duty as an emergency tool to reverse life-threatening allergic reactions. Law enforcement officers are given proper training to identify risks and administer the antidote correctly.

The law was inspired by Annie LeGere from Elmhurst, a 13-year-old who passed away from a fatal allergic reaction that could have been prevented by the administration of an EpiPen.

Cullerton is inspired by the courage and advocacy of Annie’s loved ones who have turned this tragedy into a lifesaving opportunity.

“Shelly LeGere, Annie’s mother, is an inspiration to us all,” Cullerton said. “This new law is a true testament to her tenacity and resolve to honor Annie’s memory by ensuring what happened to Annie doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Cullerton urges residents interested in donating to Amazing Annie, the Annie LeGere Foundation, to visit www.amazingannie.org.

Senate Bill 2226 passed the Senate and House with unanimous support and goes into effect immediately.