Illinois now has a robust and significant set of sexual harassment and discrimination protection laws on the books, thanks to legislation co-sponsored by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and signed into law Aug. 9 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Senate Bill 75 is largely the result of work by the Senate Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Awareness and Prevention, on which Curran served. “This is a major step toward ensuring that people can live and work free of sexual harassment and discrimination..

State government will have more control of over where and how coal ash disposal sites are located, thanks to legislation co-sponsored by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and signed into law this week. “The goal of this new law is simple, to empower state government to protect people from pollution,” said Sen. Curran. “This is another step toward creating a healthier and safer environment for the families of Illinois...

As Willowbrook and surrounding communities continue their fight in court to keep Sterigenics closed, State Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove) continues to work on legislative solutions to keep dangerous ethylene oxide emissions out of the communities...

State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) released the following statement on the current Sterigenics situation: “This morning I asked the Illinois Attorney General, the DuPage County State’s Attorney, and the Governor to delay next week’s hearing and implementation of the settlement agreement and consent order regarding the Sterigenics litigation...

I do not support the agreement reached by the ILEPA, the Illinois Attorney General and Sterigenics, which will allow the facility to resume operations. Rather, I will continue to stand with the residents of Willowbrook and the surrounding communities who are fighting for clean air and a healthy future. For years, as testing has shown, Sterigenics has posed a critical public health risk to our communities. They must remain closed...

The State of Illinois and the people of Willowbrook will have new tools in the fight to stop ethylene oxide emissions and keep the seal order in place at Sterigenics, due to legislation sponsored by State Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove) that was signed into law by Governor Pritzker...

Both chambers of the Illinois legislature have now approved legislation filed by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) that will create stringent rules for ethylene oxide use and emissions, and shut down failing facilities. “This bill strengthens the Illinois EPA seal order that sealed Sterigenics’ ethylene oxide chambers, and it creates the strongest ethylene oxide sterilization regulations in the nation..

State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) released the following statement after the Illinois House passed SB1852: “I’d like to commend Leader Durkin on his efforts in passing this important legislation that we have put so much work into. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass it in the Senate and get it to the Governor for his signature...

Illinois park Districts would have new flexibility in how they handle land leases under legislation sponsored by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) that passed the Illinois Senate on May 21. “This is a common sense change in law that our park districts have asked for, to help them generate revenue on leased properties...

Every public university in the state of Illinois may soon be required report how much students are actually paying in tuition to attend, due to legislation sponsored by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and passed by the Illinois Senate on May 16. “We know that the rising cost of tuition is a major issue for our students, but we need to see accurate data to truly understand the situation...

Illinois police officers could soon be able to save valuable time apprehending suspects by getting arrest warrants issued electronically, due to legislation sponsored by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove). “As a former prosecutor I understand how critical time is during a criminal investigation...

Update on what is happening in Springfield...

The Illinois Senate approved legislation to create increased regulatory oversight on coal ash disposal sites to help prevent environmental issues from the operation and closures of the sites. The bill was co-sponsored by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove). “This legislation will allow the state to have a say over where and how coal ash disposal sites are operated, as well as when owners look to close them and leave behind waste...

Several high school students from the 41st Senate District got to see what it’s like to try to propose and pass laws at the Illinois State Capitol April 30, as part of State Sen. John Curran’s (R-Downers Grove) Youth Advisory Council. “This is program is designed to engage young people in the process of government, and open their eyes to future careers in public service...

On May 4th, State Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and Representative Jim Durkin will be hosting a Recycling Fair in Burr Ridge. The goal is to help residents dispose of items that shouldn’t be going to landfills, including certain electronics and prescription drugs...

Senator Curran passes legislation dealing with the Sterigenics crisis, plus another bill to protect employees from wage theft. A number of other measures also passed...

The Illinois Attorney General’s office may soon have a dedicated team of lawyers working to combat wage theft and other unsafe conditions for employees, after the Illinois Senate unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove) on April 11. “This legislation protects both workers and businesses by helping to stop unlawful practices that hurt law-abiding businesses...

The Illinois Senate has unanimously passed legislation championed by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) that would protect Illinois residents, like those Willowbrook residents impacted by Sterigenics, from the hidden dangers of ethylene oxide. Curran has led the fight against Sterigenics since it was first discovered they were emitting dangerous levels of ethylene oxide into the community. The measures he introduced, and which passed in the Senate, fulfill the pledge he made to residents that the legislature would take action to protect the public’s health, which remains his number one priority...

The Illinois Senate has taken another major step in combatting the opioid overdose epidemic by passing legislation from State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) to treat the deadly drug Fentanyl as seriously as heroin. “Fentanyl has clearly become the number one threat in the ongoing opioid crisis...

The Illinois Senate has passed legislation sponsored by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) to clamp down on the financial exploitation of senior citizens. “Seniors and the disabled are among are most vulnerable and highest targeted crime victims...

Despite the fact that Fentanyl is now considered to be the biggest cause of opioid overdose deaths, current Illinois criminal law treats is as a lesser threat. That could all change due to legislation sponsored by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) that would put the drug of the same level as heroin...

The Illinois Senate has passed an important protection plan for victims of sexual harassment in union workplaces. The legislation was sponsored by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove)...

Legislation designed to address the ethylene oxide crisis is one step closer to becoming law, as the Senate Environment Committee has advanced a bill sponsored by State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove). “This is an important step as we move forward in addressing the ethylene oxide crisis and preventing similar tragedies in the future...

Illinois’ new Governor outlined his spending plan for the coming year, and a controversial minimum-wage measure has been signed into law. Also in recent days...

“Governor Pritzker has an opportunity to move our state’s budget process in a new and better direction, where all sides are at the table putting a together a balanced, reasonable approach to spending that avoids the mistakes of the past. I do not think the proposal he laid out today does that...