Toro: Law enforcement needs to have autism sensitivity training

SPRINGFIELD — To reduce the risk of unnecessary violent confrontations between law enforcement and people with autism, State Senator Natalie Toro introduced legislation requiring officers to go through autism-informed responses in their training.

“Having an encounter with law enforcement can be nerve-wracking for anyone, but for people with behavioral disabilities like autism, it can be even more confusing and anxiety-provoking,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “It is important for law enforcement to know how to best approach and engage with autistic individuals to minimize fear and actually have a productive conversation.”

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 the 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 autistic individuals to escalate quickly, resulting in unnecessary use of force, trauma or death.

• Public Safety
• Disability Justice
• Law Enforcement
• Autism

Read more: Toro: Law enforcement needs to have autism sensitivity training

Toro to join Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety

SPRINGFIELD — Recognizing the growing concern of public safety in her community and throughout the state, State Senator Natalie Toro has joined the Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety.

“I am honored to serve on the Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “Making our communities safer for those who live in the district has never been more important, and I look forward to hearing the initiatives that come before this committee with solutions to do just that.”

Since taking office in July 2023, Toro has worked to improve public safety initiatives for people in her community. From discussions with local anti-violence organizations and meeting with members of her policy roundtable focused on violence prevention initiatives, she has worked with her neighbors and advocates to find solutions to ensure people remain safe, and the root causes of violence are being addressed.

• Public Safety
• Violence Prevention

Read more: Toro to join Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety

Toro enhances safety in bike lanes

SPRINGFIELD —There is a growing need for protections for cyclists in State Senator Natalie Toro’s community – especially after a 16-year-old was struck and killed by a car while riding his bike. In response, she passed a measure through the Senate Friday to enhance bike lane safety.

 “Our current biking infrastructure often values their safety and lives less than money by refusing to invest in projects to protect cyclists and pedestrians,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “We need to encourage local governments to rethink these priorities and take steps to keep cyclists safe.”

Cyclists frequently use maps of existing bike lanes when planning safe routes to ride. However, under existing law, “bike lanes” have a variety of definitions—including lanes safely blocked off from motor traffic with barriers, but also lanes only separated by drawn lines that may be utilized by parked cars or people pulling over. Without more transparency about the safety features of designated “bike lanes,” cyclists may choose routes without knowing they may be much closer to motorists without barriers to protect them—lanes that report significantly more accidents and injuries to bikers.

To fix the lack of transparency, Toro is leading a measure that would allow local governments to update maps of the existing bikeways with classifications of bike lanes that specify the safety features and degree of separations between motorists in each lane, which would allow cyclists to make informed decisions on the routes they take.

• Infrastructure
• Bike Safety
• Bike Lanes
• Cyclist Safety

Read more: Toro enhances safety in bike lanes

Community-based organizations supporting immigrants will receive grants thanks to Toro legislation

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Natalie Toro is leading a measure to make work permits more accessible and attainable to new arrivals.

“Filling out a lengthy work permit application alone, in a language you may not be fluent in, while in a crowded, noisy shelter, can be very difficult for new arrivals to complete accurately,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This legislation will ensure new arrivals have expert support in the confusing application process, so that they are able to join the workforce more seamlessly.”

Senate Bill 3296 would create a grant program for community-based organizations to receive funding to help them provide free assistance to newly arrived immigrants going through the work permit application process. By establishing this program and providing grants to local organizations, Toro hopes new arrivals would be able to receive support more quickly so they can start their career and settle in the city sooner. 

• Immigration
• Community Organizations

Read more: Community-based organizations supporting immigrants will receive grants thanks to Toro legislation