Latest news with #AnnaLaw
CBS News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Illinois lawmakers' Spring Session deadline looms, transit funding still unresolved
The final countdown is on in Springfield — where lawmakers have until the end of the week to tackle issues from the Illinois General Assembly's Spring Session. The state budget for the next fiscal year must be tackled by May 31. Meanwhile, there are still no answers on how the state will handle transit reform and funding — and if nothing is done on that front by the end of the week, there could be a 40% reduction in mass transit services in Chicago. Meanwhile, lawmakers have signed several bills that are stacking up on Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's desk awaiting his signature this Memorial Day. One such bill, Anna's Law, requires special training for police officers across Illinois to better address how law enforcement engages with sex assault victims — part of a larger effort to prevent those in vulnerable positions from being retraumatized. Officers will be specially trained on how to speak with those victims. Senate Bill 1563 addresses the squatter problem in Illinois, making it easier for police to remove squatters from someone's home — bypassing the months-long eviction process. Right now, squatters can stay at the property during the required court process. Another bill, Senate Bill 1491, will increase the number of therapy dogs during times of crisis — creating a course and certification program for therapy dog teams so dogs can specialize in crisis and emergency response. This will allow a police officer to respond to an incident, at any given time, with a therapy dog. Dillon's Law — named after Dillon Mueller, who died in 2014 after an allergic reaction to a bee sting — allows people who are trained to carry and administer epinephrine to those having an allergic reaction. This week is poised to be even busier for state lawmakers, as it is closing time for the Spring Session and those lawmakers are on deadline. Transit funding, again, is still on the line right now — and down to the wire with drastic service cuts looming. "It is a lot of details and moving parts, so it's taking longer than I think folks expected," said Amy Rynell, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance. "It's really important that this all get resolved by the end of May 31, when the session ends, so that we can have confidence moving forward in the system that the money is going to be there to keep it strong." As CBS News Chicago has been reporting for months, the Regional Transportation Authority — which oversees the CTA, Metra and Pace suburban buses — is facing a fiscal cliff in the hundreds of millions of dollars. If no action is taken, the CTA has said it would be forced to close 50 'L,' stations, lose more than 70 miles of rail service, and eliminate more than half its bus routes. The CTA has not yet said anything about which specific 'L' and bus lines and 'L' stops would be affected. Meanwhile, Metra would suffer a 40% reduction in service, and Pace is threatening to eliminate all service after 8 p.m. and all weekend rides. "So I think there's still hope for fixing it and funding it," said Rynell. "But a lot of, you know, late nights ahead to make that happen."
BBC News
06-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Queen Camilla praises 'brilliant' Exeter sex assault centre staff
Queen Camilla has praised the "brilliant" efforts of health workers and staff at a newly opened Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Exeter. After touring the purpose-built facility and meeting privately with a survivor, she expressed her admiration for the staff's dedication. "You do a brilliant job, and you shouldn't go unrecognised," the Queen said during a plaque unveiling in the city she also toured CoLab - a multi-agency health and wellbeing hub that brings together organisations providing learning, mental health, housing and homelessness services. Devon & Cornwall SARCs are part of the NHS and the service manages SARCs in Exeter, Plymouth and Truro, offering support throughout the region."Talking to one of the survivors, the difference it made to her life, I don't think you realise just quite how needed you are," she Queen was shown various parts of the centre, including forensic medical examination suites and clinical also met Dr Anna Law, who showed her the children's room filled with toys. The Queen remarked on the unfortunate necessity of such facilities, noting the high number of children who require their services. The Queen has long been an advocate for sexual assault victims. She recently revived the Wash Bags Project, an initiative she championed years ago that provides essential items to those project is now supported by charity In Kind Direct and pharmacist Boots. 'Genuine interest' CoLab service user, Afnan Tellesy, 37, expressed her gratitude for the support she received from the staff and the Queen's recognition of their work."I'm proud of all the ladies that are in this room and also how far I've come," she said."I've got my forever home and I'm still on my journey, but I know they're here and without that I think I would literally not be here."Fiona Carden, CEO of CoLab, said: "It's wonderful that someone with so much power is able to raise the profile of CoLab and challenge the stigma around domestic violence."Her passion and genuine interest in the stories of the women she met were truly validating."
The Independent
06-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Camilla hails efforts of health staff in supporting sexual assault victims
The Queen has praised the 'brilliant' efforts of health workers and other staff supporting sexual assault victims at a specialist centre she officially opened. Camilla launched the purpose-built Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Exeter after touring the building, and following a private meeting with a survivor described the 'difference' the service had made to her life. She told the staff assembled for a plaque unveiling marking her visit: 'You do a brilliant job I think, you shouldn't go unrecognised. 'All of you working together do make such a difference to so many women, children and men over the country. 'I don't know what they would do without these SARCS, they would still be there. They would have no-one to help them and they wouldn't be in the place some of them are now. 'Talking to one of the survivors, the difference it made her life – I don't think you realise just quite how needed you are.' During her visit, the Queen was shown forensic medical examination suites and clinical rooms, and chatted to staff who provide critical forensic and therapeutic care to those using the service. Paediatrician Dr Anna Law showed her the room filled with toys where children using the service were met with family members, and Camilla said: 'Well, it's unfortunate it's needed so much – so many children, through.' The Queen has a long-term interest in supporting victims of sexual assault and a number of years ago she championed the idea of washbags for those attacked, an idea that has recently been revived. The relaunch of the Wash Bags Project has seen In Kind Direct, a charity founded in 1996 by the King when he was Prince of Wales, come on board as the distribution partner for this initiative, alongside Boots, which continues to provide the wash bags and contents. The Queen also visited CoLab on Thursday, a multi-agency health and wellbeing hub that supports people in need in Exeter. While there, Camilla met with staff and service users, including domestic abuse survivors who have been helped to turn their lives around. One service user, who was visibly emotional after discussing her journey, was pulled in for a photograph by the Queen. Camilla praised the team for their work, saying they were doing 'such a good job'. Afnan Tellesy, 37, a service user, said CoLab had helped her go on a journey and thanked the Queen for recognising their work and her compassion. Speaking to reporters, she said: 'It shows recognition for the CoLab women and what they're doing – as a recipient of their tireless work it has been amazing. 'She's great advocate for women, it's a privilege to be invited to meet her. 'I'm proud of all the ladies that are in this room and also how far I've come. 'I've got my forever home and I'm still on my journey, but I know they're here and without that I think I would literally not be here.' Fiona Carden, the CEO of CoLab, said: 'It's wonderful that someone with so much power is able to raise the profile of CoLab and challenge the stigma around domestic violence. 'She's clearly very passionate and that came across in her interactions with people. 'She was talking to women who are the beneficiaries of services and for them to be able to be witnessed in that way – to say they feel valued – for someone like Her Majesty to step into that space and listen to them is extraordinary. 'She listened to what the women were saying and their stories, fundamentally that is itself quite powerful and really validating.'
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Camilla hails efforts of health staff in supporting sexual assault victims
The Queen has praised the 'brilliant' efforts of health workers and other staff supporting sexual assault victims at a specialist centre she officially opened. Camilla launched the purpose-built Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Exeter after touring the building, and following a private meeting with a survivor described the 'difference' the service had made to her life. She told the staff assembled for a plaque unveiling marking her visit: 'You do a brilliant job I think, you shouldn't go unrecognised. 'All of you working together do make such a difference to so many women, children and men over the country. 'I don't know what they would do without these SARCS, they would still be there. They would have no-one to help them and they wouldn't be in the place some of them are now. 'Talking to one of the survivors, the difference it made her life – I don't think you realise just quite how needed you are.' During her visit, the Queen was shown forensic medical examination suites and clinical rooms, and chatted to staff who provide critical forensic and therapeutic care to those using the service. Paediatrician Dr Anna Law showed her the room filled with toys where children using the service were met with family members, and Camilla said: 'Well, it's unfortunate it's needed so much – so many children, through.' The Queen has a long-term interest in supporting victims of sexual assault and a number of years ago she championed the idea of washbags for those attacked, an idea that has recently been revived. The relaunch of the Wash Bags Project has seen In Kind Direct, a charity founded in 1996 by the King when he was Prince of Wales, come on board as the distribution partner for this initiative, alongside Boots, which continues to provide the wash bags and contents. The Queen also visited CoLab on Thursday, a multi-agency health and wellbeing hub that supports people in need in Exeter. While there, Camilla met with staff and service users, including domestic abuse survivors who have been helped to turn their lives around. One service user, who was visibly emotional after discussing her journey, was pulled in for a photograph by the Queen. Camilla praised the team for their work, saying they were doing 'such a good job'. Afnan Tellesy, 37, a service user, said CoLab had helped her go on a journey and thanked the Queen for recognising their work and her compassion. Speaking to reporters, she said: 'It shows recognition for the CoLab women and what they're doing – as a recipient of their tireless work it has been amazing. 'She's great advocate for women, it's a privilege to be invited to meet her. 'I'm proud of all the ladies that are in this room and also how far I've come. 'I've got my forever home and I'm still on my journey, but I know they're here and without that I think I would literally not be here.' Fiona Carden, the CEO of CoLab, said: 'It's wonderful that someone with so much power is able to raise the profile of CoLab and challenge the stigma around domestic violence. 'She's clearly very passionate and that came across in her interactions with people. 'She was talking to women who are the beneficiaries of services and for them to be able to be witnessed in that way – to say they feel valued – for someone like Her Majesty to step into that space and listen to them is extraordinary. 'She listened to what the women were saying and their stories, fundamentally that is itself quite powerful and really validating.'
