Latest news with #SB1560
Chicago Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: Why bike lanes are important for the Northwest Side and Chicago as a whole
Chicago has been making major strides toward becoming a safer, more connected city for cyclists. That's why the new bike lanes on Long Avenue on the Northwest Side are more than fresh paint on the pavement. They are a lifeline for residents, especially our teens, who deserve safe and reliable ways to travel between neighborhoods. Parents worry every time their kids leave the house on a bike. Without safe routes, young riders are forced to navigate busy streets next to fast-moving traffic, making what should be a simple, healthy activity, dangerous. The Long Avenue bike lanes begin to change that story. This project doesn't just benefit one block or one community. It builds on Chicago's growing bike network that links Belmont Cragin, Portage Park and surrounding neighborhoods. It creates safer corridors for families, reduces barriers between communities and encourages more people, especially first-time riders, to choose biking as their first option for traveling to school or work or just exploring the city. Last year, I was riding on Diversey Avenue near Laramie Avenue, and for the first time since I started riding my bike, a driver struck me. I walked away with a couple bumps and bruises, but I felt scared for the first time to ride my bike again. I started to really realize the importance of how protected bike lanes, neighborhood greenways and lower speed limits can save lives. I tested out the Long Avenue bike lanes, and they felt safe. If we truly want to transform mobility on the Northwest Side, we need to continue to invest here. The city should continue listening to residents, who shouldn't have to worry about a car hitting them while biking. Bike lanes are not just about transportation. They're about equity, safety and connection. The Long Avenue project is a step forward, and it's also a call to action. Let's keep pushing for the infrastructure that will allow every Chicagoan — from teens to grandparents — to move freely, safely and confidently across our July 31, I stood behind Gov. JB Pritzker as he signed Senate Bill 1560 into law. Cameras flashed, hands clapped, and yet the weight of that moment settled deeper than the ceremony. This isn't just a policy win. It is a refusal to let youth mental health remain an afterthought; it is a powerful declaration that students should no longer be the last ones asked or the first ones forgotten. SB1560 is the first law of its kind in the U.S. It requires that Illinois public schools offer annual, voluntary, no-cost mental health screenings to students in grades three through 12 starting with the 2027-28 school year. Parents will be able to opt out, and the program will be implemented with privacy, consent and care. This kind of system is long overdue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, over 40% of U.S. high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, the highest level in over a decade. In Illinois alone, nearly 39,000 high school students attempted suicide in 2021, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. This law doesn't replace therapy or fix every broken system. But it does open a door, shifting the culture from silence to support, from reacting after collapse to stepping in before the cracks form. And it affirms something too long denied: Emotional health is not optional. Pritzker was right to call this issue 'too often overlooked or ignored,' but if Illinois wants to stay ahead, SB1560 must be the foundation, not the final chapter. That means fully funding school counselors and social workers. It means investing in trauma-informed training for every teacher, coach and staff member. And it means treating youths not as subjects to be studied but as stakeholders — and co-authors of the systems meant to serve us. Because when young people are included, we don't just speak — we organize. We write legislation, draft testimony and build coalitions that outlast us. From climate strikes to student-led mental health summits to youth advisory boards, we are not waiting to be rescued. We're shaping what comes next. That's why this work matters. Because the future of tomorrow begins with the courage we show today, in how we listen, how we legislate and how we love. Healing is not a solitary journey. It's something we do together. And together, we're rewriting the article ('Transit cuts in Philly may offer lessons for Chicago Transit,' July 27) comparing Philadelphia's Septa transit system with its counterpart in Chicago cites two of the most vocal Philadelphia activists for public transit to suggest that vast public support exists for devoting more tax money to funding Septa. Relying on such sources is misleading and muddles the comparison with Chicago, which has better public transit than Philadelphia. The article misses the point of Septa's funding crisis, which boils down to this: Not enough people ride Septa to justify subsidizing bus and train rides to the massive extent that Septa claims is required to avoid service cuts. Marketing efforts have not changed the ugly truth that Septa is unreliable and expensive and often doesn't go where people want to go when they want to go there. People have voted convincingly with their feet. Low ridership means that the per-passenger cost of operating many of Septa's routes requires taxpayer subsidies that make the amount of the fares collected look very small by comparison. Low ridership also means that there aren't enough voters who are as outraged by the proposed cuts as the vocal transit activists interviewed for the story. Too few people use Septa's services to make shrinking the system the catastrophe that the agency and advocates have sought to 6 and 9 are the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively, in the closing days of World War II. On Aug. 6, 1945, at 8:15 a.m., the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing 140,000 people. On Aug. 9, 1945, at 11:02 a.m., a second bomb exploded in Nagasaki, and 74,000 people perished. In both bombings, the great majority of victims were civilians, with 38,000 of them children. In the years that followed, many survivors faced leukemia and other cancers or other terrible side effects from the radiation. Furthermore, many descendants were born with deformities and mental conditions. When I visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in spring 2003, I had a conversation with some of the survivors. They described a Dante-esque scene, with dead children floating in the river and people of different ages running, screaming and falling down in pain while their bodies were melting. While the impetus for the bomb's development was the fear that Germany was working toward one, three months had passed since the Germans' unconditional surrender when these two Japanese cities were bombed. Were these necessary acts? The U.S. government defended itself by saying that the bombings were to prevent more deaths. Predictably, the United States couldn't maintain a monopoly on nuclear weapons. Currently, eight other countries possess nuclear weapons: Russia, France, China, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel and North Korea. Activists in Japan and worldwide advocate for the elimination of nuclear weapons. Some groups are the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. No more Hiroshimas. No more Nagasakis!
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Illinois becomes the first US state to mandate mental health screenings for students
Illinois becomes the first US state to mandate mental health screenings for students In a groundbreaking move, Illinois has become the first American state to require annual mental health screenings for students in grades 3 through 12. The decision follows a new law signed by Governor JB Pritzker on Thursday, setting a national precedent in student wellness and public education. The screenings, which will begin in the 2027–2028 school year, are aimed at identifying mental health concerns early and ensuring students have access to the support they need. Why the law matters With this law, SB1560, mental health screenings will now join vision and hearing tests as a standard part of school health services. The initiative reflects growing concern among educators, health professionals, and policymakers about the rising rates of mental health issues among youth. Key features of the new law Who it covers: All public school students in grades 3 through 12 When it starts: School year 2027–2028 What it includes: At least one mental health screening per student annually Support for schools: Free screening tools, access to technology, and guidance will be provided Implementation timeline: The Illinois State Board of Education must issue screening policies by September 1, 2026 Support for families The law also encourages schools to connect caregivers with mental health resources via the BEACON portal, a digital platform launched earlier this year to help families find behavioral health services in their communities. Importantly, these screenings are not diagnostic—they are meant to flag potential concerns early and guide students toward professional help if needed. National backdrop: A student mental health crisis According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), conditions like anxiety and depression are among the most commonly diagnosed mental health issues in children aged 3–17. The post-pandemic years have seen heightened concerns around student well-being, prompting several states to consider policy changes—but none as direct as Illinois' new mandate. This law arrives at a time when federal mental health funding has come under strain. Just two months ago, the Trump administration withdrew nearly $1 billion in mental health grants, claiming the funds were being misused. Critics fear that the rollback could leave many schools without the resources needed to meet rising demand. A model for other states? Illinois' bold move is already being viewed as a potential blueprint for other states. By integrating mental health screenings into the fabric of school life, the initiative seeks to normalize conversations around mental health and ensure timely support for students who might otherwise go unnoticed. Governor Pritzker positioned the law as part of a broader, integrated approach to student well-being, reinforcing the idea that mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Chicago Tribune
01-08-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Afternoon Briefing: Illinois schools to offer mental health screenings
Good afternoon, Chicago. Another Chicago hospital has ended gender-affirming pediatric surgery amid threats to its federal funding. But Illinois and 15 other states are fighting back in a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration for 'intimidating providers' into denying such care. UI Health became the latest hospital today to suspend gender-affirming surgical procedures for adolescents effective immediately, according to an announcement posted on the hospital's website. Here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History The bill, SB 1560, requires all Illinois public schools to offer third through 12th grade students a free, optional mental health screening. The bill passed the Illinois House of Representatives on May 21, and the Senate a month earlier. Read more here. More top news stories: Craving a late night slider? Forget the 'Harold & Kumar' road trip quest and let a robot deliver White Castle to your door. Read more here. More top business stories: The Friendly Confines will host the Midsummer Classic for the first time since 1990, marking the fourth time in the ballpark's history. Read more here. More top sports stories: For singer-songwriter Tucker Pillsbury, who performs as Role Model, playing Lollapalooza isn't new. His performance yesterday marked his third appearance at the festival, with the first two taking place in 2022 and 2019 when he was known for his alternative bedroom pop music. Read more here. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: The agency responsible for carrying out President Donald Trump's mass deportations agenda says it has made tentative job offers to more than 1,000 people as it ramps up hiring following the passage of legislation earlier this month giving the agency a massive infusion of cash. Read more here. More top stories from around the world:
01-08-2025
- Health
Illinois becomes 1st state to require student mental health screenings
For students in Illinois, mental health screenings will soon be required alongside annual vision and hearing exams. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Thursday that will require public school students in grades 3 through 12 in the state to undergo a mental health screening each year. The change will go into effect in the 2027-2028 school year with at least one screening per student required annually, according to a press release from Pritzker's office. Pritzker also said the new legislation makes Illinois the first state to mandate universal mental health assessments for public school students. "At a time when our kids are struggling with anxiety and depression more than ever before, it's our responsibility to ensure that young people have all the support that they need to get the help that they deserve," Pritzker said in remarks at the signing ceremony. "Our goal is an integrated, comprehensive approach to quality mental and behavioral health services for young people across the state," Pritzker added, saying the legislation will pave the way for schools to receive resources and support to implement the new push for screenings. The bill, SB1560, encourages schools to connect student caregivers and parents with the Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation or BEACON Portal, a tool launched in January that can provide information about available mental health resources and services. Illinois' move comes two months after the Trump administration pulled funding for about $1 billion in mental health grants. The Department of Education said in May that the grants would be discontinued because the money was going to "race-based actions" instead of mental health services in schools. Students' mental health has been top of mind ahead of the back-to-school season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anxiety and depression are some of the most common mental health conditions diagnosed in children between the ages of 3 and 17, with mental health being a significant concern among teens. The Illinois State Board of Education has until Sept. 1, 2026, to provide schools with guidance and policies to implement the mandated mental health screenings. The state is also promising schools free screening tools and access to technology to fulfill the mandate.
Chicago Tribune
31-07-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Students to get mental health screenings under bill Gov. Pritzker signed at Evanston school
For 17-year-old Abhinav Anne, offering Illinois students a chance to get a free mental health screening feels like a milestone in his work in mental health advocacy. Governor JB Pritzker cemented that milestone with a flick of his wrist Thursday afternoon at Chute Middle School in Evanston by signing a new Illinois law, the first of its kind in the nation, he said, to grant students mental health screenings at least once a year. The bill, SB 1560, requires all Illinois public schools to offer third through 12th grade students a free, optional mental health screening. The bill passed the Illinois House of Representatives on May 21, and the Senate a month earlier in April. The state is anticipated to pick up the cost of the health screenings and the Illinois State Board of Education is expected to provide local school districts guidance and policy on how to use the screening tools by Sept. 1, 2026, according to the governor's office. The screenings are slated to begin in the 2027-2028 school year. 'Just as we have been screening for vision or hearing challenges that students have had for many years, we will now provide assessments for mental health,' Pritzker said, prior to signing the bill into law. 'This is a national first that's worth celebrating about the state of Illinois.' 'We know how transformational these screenings can be for kids at this age — they provide early identification and intervention so that those who are struggling get the help that they need as soon as possible,' he said. The governor chose to sign the bill at an Evanston/Skokie School District 65 school because of the district's leading mental health initiatives that outpace other school districts in the state, Pritzker said. 'Chute's been an example of a place that actually pays attention to the mental health of its students and does its best to refer people wherever they can,' he said. 'And I used to live here,' Pritzker said, of Evanston. 'I know how important this community is and its leadership for some in the rest of the state that may not already have gotten there,' he said. Hannah Dillow, District 65's communications manager, said the district launched its counseling program four years ago to provide middle school students additional mental health, social and academic support. District 65 also launched its Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) screener five years ago, allowing schools in the district to proactively identify student needs and offer ongoing support, she said. The district also uses a structured intervention system for academic and social-emotional needs, conducts student surveys to gauge students' sense of belonging, and offers a holistic approach to student well-being, Dillow said. Anne, a rising senior at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, part of Indian Prairie School District 204, said the bill signing signaled to him a promise of compassion from the state and public schools to prioritize mental health, something he has learned a lot about after having a crisis of his own. 'Earlier this year, I found myself sinking under the weight of expectations. I couldn't seem to escape. I wrote around me, spoke about potential, about a bright future, but to me, those hopes felt like chains, like pressure on something already starting to happen,' he said. 'This is our journey forward, to believe in its brightness,' Anne said. 'To every young person who feels unseen or unheard, this moment is for you.' Anne said he helped advocate for the bill when he met Dana Weiner, Illinois' Chief Officer for Children's Behavioral Health Transformation. 'Over the last three years in partnership with ISBE (the Illinois State Board of Education) we have learned a lot about what (school) districts need in order to better identify and respond to youth who confront mental health challenges,' Weiner said Thursday. State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders also commented, saying, 'Too often, we only recognize a student's distress when it becomes a crisis. With universal screening, we shift from reaction to prevention.' Along with the mental health screenings, the bill aims to raise awareness of the state's online Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation, or BEACON, portal. According to the governor's office, the portal provides Illinois families with information about available behavioral health services for children and adolescents, including: the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. The portal officially launched in early 2025.
