Hastings meets with St. Coletta’s leadership to address service efficiencies, Medicaid access and state payment processes

TINLEY PARK — State Senator Michael E. Hastings recently visited St. Coletta’s of Illinois to meet with CEO Heather Benedick and discuss how the state can better support organizations that provide critical services to individuals with developmental disabilities and families seeking mental health care.

“St. Coletta’s is an anchor for families who rely on these services,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “They not only provide quality care for individuals with developmental disabilities, but they also accept Medicaid patients and ensure mental health therapy is available to those who need it most. By working to streamline payment processes and foster partnerships with other providers, we can build a stronger, more efficient system of care for our community.”

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Hastings’ bill to ensure vet tech training signed into law

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings’ measure to ensure anyone practicing as a veterinary technician is licensed and trained from an accredited program was signed into law on Friday.

“Veterinarians go through a lot of hard to work to become certified,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Now we can reward our certified vet techs by raising the bar in the field.”

House Bill 3360 requires anyone referring to themselves as a veterinary technician to be licensed with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The bill ensures veterinary technicians have graduated from an accredited program and passed the exam required for the license. The bill also requires vet techs to visibly display their license in their office.

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Hastings measure to streamline missing persons investigations signed into law

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office’s work to improve Illinois’ policy regarding missing persons investigations will soon become law as their proposal was signed into law on Friday.

“Through the Cook County Sheriff’s experience running the Missing Women’s Project, we were able to streamline some critical policies for law enforcement,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “I am proud to pass a bill that will give families peace.”

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Hastings bipartisan school safety proposal signed into law

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings’ proposal to put in place state standards for Illinois school districts when it comes to emergency response and threat assessments was signed into law on Friday.

“When an emergency strikes, people lock in to what they have been trained to do,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Getting this bill signed into law means Illinois is working to be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to the safety of our children.”

Senate Bill 2057 requires the State Board of Education to provide school districts with standards for a school district's threat assessment procedures. The law allows the Illinois State Board of Education and the Office of the State Fire Marshall to create new rules that guide school districts, private schools, and first responders on how to develop threat assessment procedures, rapid entry response plans, and cardiac emergency response plans. The law also gives guidance for school districts notifying parents and the community of threats against a school.

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