Toro votes to pass budget that invests in early childhood, disability services

SPRINGFIELD —After lengthy budget negotiations, State Senator Natalie Toro was pleased to vote for the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget – which will deliver on investments to early childhood education, the child tax credit, and disability services.

“Financial barriers to early childhood education can set kids back years in their educational development—something I witnessed firsthand as a former kindergarten teacher with students who struggled to catch up to their peers,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “All children in Illinois deserve access to high-quality early childhood education, and these initiatives will make these fundamental building blocks more accessible.”

The proposed budget includes $14 million to the Department of Early Childhood, and $4.3 million to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library early childhood literacy program. It also includes $50 million for a child tax credit to help working families with children under the age of three.

Additionally, the proposed budget provides pay raises for direct service providers and funds the Home Services Program, allocating additional funds to support growing caseloads. As a proud advocate for people with disabilities, Senator Toro is hopeful these investments will have a positive impact on Illinoisans with disabilities and their caregivers.

“People with disabilities deserve to be treated with dignity, and that includes having support from a robust staff at developmental centers that can help meet their needs,” said Toro. “I am proud to support a budget that priorities the care and safety of people with disabilities with these investments, and its support for direct service providers.”

The Fiscal Year 2025 budget passed the Senate Sunday.

• Early Childhood Development
• Budget
• Disability Justice

Toro legislation prohibiting discrimination in the workplace clears Senate

SPRINGFIELD — Legislation prohibiting employer discrimination based on family obligations has passed the Senate and is one step closer to becoming law, thanks to efforts from State Senator Natalie Toro.

“Why should employees be punished for their family responsibilities if they have demonstrated that they do not impact their work performance?” said Toro (D-Chicago). “Working parents and family caregivers deserve to be treated the same as their colleagues without family responsibilities, especially when employers are making hiring decisions. I am glad this measure will protect employees from unfair treatment and empower people with family responsibilities to achieve success in their careers.”

Under current law, workplace discrimination based on gender, race, sexuality and other characteristics is prohibited, but does not explicitly protect people with family obligations. Family obligations include providing care for a family member, such as young children, older adults and people with disabilities. This means that prospective employees with children can currently be passed up for job opportunities in favor of applicants without children or family caregiving obligations because caregivers are an unprotected class.

• Human Rights
• Working families

Read more: Toro legislation prohibiting discrimination in the workplace clears Senate

Toro initiative mandating Autism sensitivity training for police passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD —State Senator Natalie Toro’s legislation requiring officers to go through autism-informed responses in their training passed the Senate, making it one step closer to becoming law.

“Law enforcement need to be aware of the unique communication challenges people with autism may have, especially in a more stressful situation like having an encounter with a police officer, and how that may make them appear noncompliant,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “By mandating autism sensitivity training, we are ensuring police have a deeper understanding of how to best engage with people with disabilities in their community and prevent misunderstandings that could turn tragic.”

While people with autism may be able to manage their communication differences or behavioral challenges with supports at school, work, or in their daily lives, they may experience unique challenges when interacting with police. Without proper training on how some people with autism communicate, law enforcement may interpret their behavior as being noncompliant with questioning or instructions. This has caused interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism to escalate quickly, resulting in unnecessary use of force, trauma or death.

• Disability Justice
• Law Enforcement

Read more: Toro initiative mandating Autism sensitivity training for police passes Senate

Toro, Guzzardi legislation stands against discrimination in the workplace

SPRINGFIELD — To safeguard working moms, caregivers and others from being overlooked in hiring decisions because of their responsibilities outside of work, State Senator Natalie Toro is championing legislation aimed at prohibiting employer discrimination based on family obligations.

“It is extremely unfair for employers to decide that someone cannot fulfill their duties because they have family obligations, with no proof that this has or would interfere with their capability to be a good employee,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This gap in the Human Rights Act has allowed many Illinoisans to miss out on major career opportunities because of employers’ biases, and it is long past time to take a stand against these labor practices.” 

Currently, the Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on gender, race, sexuality and other characteristics, but does not protect people with family obligations. Family obligations include providing care for a family member, including young children, older adults and people with disabilities. This means if two employees of the same gender — one with a young child — vie for the same promotion and the employer selects the employee without children, citing concerns about time off for parenting duties, they will not be charged with discrimination because family obligations are an unprotected class.

• Human Rights
• Working families

Read more: Toro, Guzzardi legislation stands against discrimination in the workplace