Kankakee Times

State Representative Jackie Haas, a Republican from Kankakee, has championed two bills targeting the support and protection of vulnerable groups in Illinois. These legislative efforts focus on seniors in assisted living and people experiencing domestic violence.

House Bill 3428 aims to enhance communication between the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and nursing home providers. It establishes semiannual training sessions intended to address quality of care and potential violations. "This bill will allow for more communication between IDPH and care providers, getting all parties on the same page," said Haas. She added, "This bill supports providers of senior care and protects our senior population by increasing the amount of training their providers receive."

House Bill 2774 seeks to create a single, statewide phone number for domestic violence services, ensuring help is accessible no matter the location. This bill designates the Department of Human Services as the primary provider of the hotline while permitting the selection of a suitable non-profit to manage its services. Haas said, "Domestic violence is a crisis across Illinois, especially in my district. This bill provides an easy and clear pathway to safety for victims and will have a substantial positive impact on my constituents. I appreciate the bipartisan support on this bill to protect Illinoisans."

Both pieces of legislation now await further consideration in the Senate.