Toro advocates for crime reduction programs in new legislation

SPRINGFIELD — To incentivize law enforcement agency task forces to participate in crime reduction programs, State Senator Natalie Toro has introduced legislation that would give participants $10 million in grant funding, an increase of $8 million from previous funding levels.  

“Addressing and solving the root causes of crime is the most important strategy for long-lasting violence and crime prevention,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “Many community-led organizations have done amazing work by implementing crime reduction programs. Law enforcement also adopting these programs will only lead to more positive change.”

Since taking office, Toro has prioritized addressing violence and crime with a restorative justice framework. She hosts a roundtable on violence prevention where members of the community can voice their ideas and concerns about this issue in her district, and has met with many local organizations working to address the root causes of violence and crime. This legislation will encapsulate one of many takeaways from conversations with constituents and advocates—the importance of implementing a restorative, not punitive, approach to crime and violence in communities.

In the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, the state allocated $2 million in grants to law enforcement agency task forces who participate in crime reduction programs, or programs focused on addressing the underlying factors that lead to crime. To increase this investment, Senate Bill 2619 would offer $10 million in grant funding for participation.

“My hope is that this investment encourages law enforcement to prioritize restorative justice practices both here and in all areas of their work so that our criminal legal system continues its transformation into a system that truly prioritizes rehabilitation and justice over punishment,” said Toro.

Senate Bill 2619 awaits discussion in the spring legislative session.

New Toro legislation to protect caregivers from job discrimination

SPRINGFIELD —To ensure employees are not treated differently in the workplace or passed over in the hiring process due to their caregiver role, State Senator Natalie Toro is working to amend the Human Rights Act to protect people with family responsibilities from discrimination.  

“Just because a person has external obligations to support their family does not mean they aren’t capable of successfully doing these jobs,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “Assuming differently without any demonstrated proof that their performance has changed is discrimination and should be banned by state  laws.”

Currently, there are no laws protecting employees who are also caregivers from differential treatment, including offering lower wages, preventing advancement opportunities, or even terminating employment. These actions are often the result of employers’ biased assumptions that any employee who has family obligations outside of work must be unreliable, uncommitted and less valuable, regardless of actual job performance. This often disproportionately impacts pregnant people, working mothers, people of color and low-wage earners who are already financially vulnerable.

To better protect caregivers, Senate Bill 2616 would make it a civil rights violation for employers to retaliate against a person who speaks out about discriminatory actions they believe to be based on their family responsibilities. The measure would also expand the definition of harassment to include protections for people with family responsibilities.

“No one should be treated differently at work after they have a child or step up as a caregiver for family members,” said Toro. “This law will ensure that workers’ livelihoods are protected as they navigate the responsibilities within their lives.”  

Senate Bill 2616 awaits discussion in the spring legislative session.

Toro reflects on accomplishments after 100 days in office

CHICAGO — From hosting three policy roundtables, attending over 60 events and meetings with community organizations and individuals, and introducing and sponsoring 12 bills and resolutions, it’s hard to believe State Senator Natalie Toro has only been in office for 100 days – but the freshman senator says she’s just getting started.

“Since taking office over the summer, my team and I have hit the ground running to get out in our community to hear about the issues most impacting residents and working on policies to address them,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “All of these meetings and brainstorming have helped us build a thorough legislative plan for the upcoming session, and I am excited to put it into action.”

In the time since Toro took office on July 10, she and her staff have helped donate 1,400 items to asylum seekers and met with many organizations and individuals to discuss issues affecting the community. Staff within her office also connected over 150 people to organizations and resources, responded to over 750 phone calls and assisted over 300 walk-ins. Last week, she held an open house in her district office to connect with even more constituents.

Toro has sponsored and introduced 12 legislative bills and resolutions, including Senate Bills 2604 and 2605, which would protect survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence by expediting the process to receive protective orders against perpetrators and increasing workplace safeguards.

“While protective orders are effective in shielding survivors against their perpetrators, they are only enforceable if they are served. Too often, the orders expire before they become enforceable, endangering survivors,” said Toro. “Senate Bill 2604 will require law enforcement to serve protective orders during routine run-ins with police, ensuring they are able to adequately protect survivors from more harm.”

 Follow the legislation Senator Toro is working on at ilga.gov or on her website.

Toro introduces new legislation to strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Natalie Toro is working on new legislation to ensure protections for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence by expediting the process to receive protective orders against perpetrators and increasing workplace safeguards.

“For too long, people have fallen victim to violence or assault after concerns for their safety were not taken seriously,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “It is time we turn our commitment to believing survivors into policy and strengthen protections for survivors to prevent further harm.”

Protective orders are vital for the safety of survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking by separating an alleged offender from the alleged victim. Nearly 56,000 protective orders were filed in Illinois during 2021 alone. However, these orders are only effective if they are served or if a short order notification is issued.

Short form notifications are triggered during routine interactions with law enforcement, allowing officers to inform offenders of the protective order. Under current law, law enforcement officers are not required to service short form notifications. Senate Bill 2604 would require law enforcement to serve short form notifications if they encounter someone with an unserved protective order.

Further, Senate Bill 2605 increases protections in the workplace for people with protective orders by requiring managers to immediately call law enforcement if the offender appears on the premises during the survivor’s work hours. Together, these measures will strengthen protections for survivors and offer better peace of mind.

“Navigating the world as a woman — especially as a woman of color — requires us to be vigilant for our safety because those entrusted to protect us have not always listened to our very real concerns about threats of harm,” said Toro. “With these laws, I hope survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault are afforded more protections and can instead focus on healing from these traumas.”

Toro looks forward to working with advocates and community stakeholders on advancing Senate Bill 2604 and Senate Bill 2605 during the legislative session.

• Domestic Violence