News from Rep. Nicole La Ha

Last week proved to be incredibly fruitful in Springfield. I'm pleased to share that my first bill passed the House, expanding justice for victims of human trafficking. I am confident this bill will continue to receive bipartisan support as it moves to the Senate.

In this edition of "News from Rep. Nicole La Ha," we're going to look at some legislative updates from Springfield, events happening locally, and a the latest "Capitol Crimes" podcast I was honored to be a guest on. Thank you for reading!

My First Bill Passes the House, Expanding Justice for Victims of Human Trafficking

My first bill, HB 5467, successfully passed the Illinois House of Representative last week. HB 5467 removes the statute of limitations for victims of human trafficking who were under the age of 18 at the time of the offense.

Through the passage of HB 5467, we're affirming a fundamental principle: justice should not have an expiration date. What we achieved today sends a message of support and empowerment to survivors of human trafficking. HB 5467 is a way to show them that their voices matter and that they have the right to seek justice whenever they are ready. I want every survivor of human trafficking to know that justice is always within reach.

Under the previous law, victims of these heinous crimes faced a restrictive time frame within which prosecutions could be commenced. However, with the passing of HB 5467, this limitation is abolished for victims who were under 18 years of age at the time of the offense.

HB 5467 garnered widespread support from lawmakers, advocacy groups, and community organizations dedicated to combating human trafficking. Their collective efforts have paved the way for a more just and equitable future for all Illinoisans. The bill now awaits vote in the Senate.

With this issue, we're not only changing laws but changing lives. I will continue to advocate for legislation that safeguards the rights and dignity of every individual as we strive for a society free from exploitation and injustice.

To watch my comments on the House Floor before my bill was voted on, click here: Rep. La Ha Speaks on Her First Bill Before it's Passing in the House (youtube.com)

Sen. Leader Curran and Myself to Host Recycle Event at Bambrick Park in Lemont

I'm teaming up with Senate Leader John Curran to host a Recycle event on Saturday, May 4th, at Bambrick Park,1330 Smith Rood in Lemont. The event will run from 8:30am-11:30am.

I'm excited to partner with Sen. Leader Curran to provide this service to our community. This event will offer a wide variety of recycling services for free. I'm looking forward to meeting more of my constituents there!

To learn more about the event and see the list of accepted items for recycling, visit Rep. Nicole La Ha and Sen. Leader Curran Host Recycle Event at Bambrick Park in Lemont - Nicole La Ha (replaha.com).

Mother's Day Diaper Drive in Partnership with Crisis Center for South Suburbia

I'm excited to announce the launch of a Mother's Day Diaper Drive in partnership with the Crisis Center for South Suburbia, a non-profit community organization dedicated to providing emergency shelter and essential services for individuals and families victimized by domestic violence. The center also addresses the societal issues that contribute to domestic violence.

I'm deeply committed to serving our community and ensuring that every family has access to the resources they need to thrive. The Crisis Center for South Suburbia does incredible work, and I'm honored to partner with them for this Mother's Day Diaper Drive.

The Diaper Drive is underway and will run until May 9th, 2024. This outreach effort seeks to provide essential care items for families in need within the community.

Donations can be dropped off at my District Office, located at 106 Stephen Street, Suite 102B, in Lemont, Mon.-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm. The most needed items include pull-ups in all sizes and feminine products. Other items that will be accepted are diapers in all sizes, Tide Pods, household cleaning products (dish soap, toilet bowl cleaner, disinfecting wipes, multi-surface cleaners such as Mr. Clean or Lysol), etc.

Everyone in the community is encouraged to participate in the Diaper Drive and contribute what they can to support local families in need. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Capitol Crimes: In Our Own Backyards

It is happening in our communities. Often in our own backyards. Modern day slavery, also known as human trafficking, is occurring right under our noses.

Human Trafficking is a crime of exploitation. Traffickers profit at the expense of their victims by forcing them to commit illegal acts, perform free labor, and/or engage in commercial sex. Victims can be of any age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, immigration status, cultural background, religion, socio-economic class, and education attainment level.

The most vulnerable are often targeted by traffickers: Children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, including foster care; runaway and homeless youth; individuals with substance use issues; migrant laborers, including undocumented workers and participants in visa programs for temporary workers; persons with limited English proficiency; persons with disabilities; and victims of intimate partner violence or other forms of domestic violence.

Human Trafficking takes an unimaginable toll on the lives of its victims. Survivors who not only struggle to overcome the physical and emotional impact of their enslavement must also deal with the legal ramifications of their actions from when they were trafficked.

Several Illinois lawmakers including myself, talk to Capitol Crimes', Dean Abbott, about their efforts to combat human traffickers and make it easier for survivors of trafficking to get their lives back on track.

Listen to the Podcast below and follow the link to find all 5 episodes of "Capitol Crimes": https://soundcloud.com/capitol-crimes

Legislation I've Co-Sponsored to Protect Children from Abuse Passes House

The Illinois House of Representatives took a significant step forward in protecting our children by passing HB 4350, the Child Abuse Notice Act. I'm proud to co-sponsor this legislation that looks to raise awareness about child abuse and provide resources for reporting such abuse.

As a mother and a legislator, ensuring the safety and well-being of our children is one of my highest priorities. HB 4350 is a crucial step in empowering children to recognize and report abuse, and it equips businesses and establishments with the tools they need to help prevent and address these heinous acts. By working together, we can create a safer environment for all our children.

HB 4350 requires certain businesses and establishments, including but not limited to, day care centers, elementary and secondary schools, bus stations, general acute care hospital emergency rooms, hotels, motels, and tattoo and body piercing establishments, to prominently display a notice developed by the Department of Children and Family Services. This notice provides information on identifying physical and sexual abuse and instructions on how to report it.

Under HB 4350, the Department of Children and Family Services, in consultation with an accredited Children's Advocacy Center, will develop a model notice within six months of the Act's effective date. This notice will be available for download on the Department's website and provided upon request to eligible businesses, schools, and other establishments. Additionally, the notice must be printed in English, Spanish, and one other language widely spoken in the county where the establishment is located.

HB 4350 now moves to the Illinois Senate for consideration.

Upcoming Events

Thank you for reading, and I'll be back with more important updates as things ramp up in Springfield!