The Ryan Armstrong Law (HB 184) - Senator Harmon joined his colleague in the House, Representative Angelo “Skip” Saviano, in sponsoring House Bill 184, which provides stiff penalties for owners of vicious dogs that attack people. Representative Saviano and Senator Harmon sponsored the bill because a resident of their district was mauled by vicious dogs. The bill is now known as the Ryan Armstrong Law, in honor of our young constituent who survived a vicious attack.
Right to Breastfeed Act (SB 3211) - After hearing from a mother of three who was asked not to nurse her six-month-old daughter in the childcare center of her health club, Senator Harmon introduced the Right to Breastfeed Act. Under this law, a mother is allowed to nurse her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother and baby are permitted to be. As a father of three, Senator Harmon understands the need to protect and promote the rights of nursing mothers and their children. This bill is now law.
The Illinois Civil Rights Act of 2003 (HB2330) - Senator Harmon was the Chief Senate Sponsor of House Bill 2330, the Illinois Civil Rights Act of 2003. This bill gives those who experience certain forms of discrimination the ability to sue in State or federal court. This bill responds to attacks by the federal courts on long-standing civil rights. This bill is now law.
Lifetime Supervision of Sex Offenders (HB 2386) - Before Senator Harmon passed House Bill 2386 dangerous sex offenders would be supervised on parole for only two or three years. Thanks to this legislation, the most dangerous sex offenders would receive lifetime supervison. This bill is now law.
Public Transportation (HB 1663) - With looming Chicago Transit Authority service cuts, I sponsored a bill to consolidate all Americans with Disabilities Act paratransit services in the region. The efficiency and economics of scale will permit the CTA to continue to provide quality affordable service to millions of residents throughout the region, without curtailing service. This bill is now law.
Prosecuting "Straw" Purchasers of Firearms (SB 382) - Illinois law has long been fraught with loopholes permitting firearms to end up in the wrong hands. Senator Harmon sponsored Senate Bill 382 which closes loopholes and increases penalties for gun runners and “straw” purchasers. A "straw" purchaser is someone who purchases a gun legally and then transfers it to someone who cannot legally possess a firearm. Far too often these guns purchased by "straw" purchasers end up in the hands of criminals. This bill is now law.
Closing the "Murder Loophole" (HB 4063) - To assist in the prosecution of sexual predators, Senator Harmon sponsored House Bill 4063 to close a loophole that, in effect, protected sex offenders who murdered their victims. Previously, the statute of limitations for many sex crimes is extended if the victim reports the crime. Obviously, if the victim is murdered, he or she can’t report the crime. This bill extended the statute of limitations in cases where the identity of the offender is unknown, but DNA evidence is available. This should be especially helpful in prosecuting serial killers and rapists. This bill is now law.
Protecting Privacy (HB 4275) - To address the effects of changing technologies, Senator Harmon sponsored House Bill 4275 to extend the criminal offense of unauthorized videotaping to include electronic recording, live video broadcast, and other modern methods of transmitting live video images. This bill adds digital cameras and other electronic recording devices and increases the penalties for violations of the offense. This bill is now law.
Criminal Justice Reform (SB 30) - Senator Harmon joined then State Senator Barack Obama in sponsoring Senate Bill 30, which mandates cultural sensitivity training for police officers, and orders a study of traffic stops to track possible racial profiling. This bill is now law.
Human Rights Act Amendment (SB 3186) - Senator Harmon was a Chief Co-Sponsor of Senate Bill 3186 which added sexual orientation to the Illinois Human Rights Act. This language prohibits discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation in matters concerning housing, employments, credit transactions and public accommodations. This bill is now law
Death Penalty Reform (SB 472) - Senator Harmon joined Senator John Cullerton and Senate President Emil Jones in sponsoring Senate Bill 472, which makes significant reforms in Illinois’ death penalty system. Related reforms include a mandate to videotape all police interrogations in murder cases. These reforms passed the General Assembly and were all signed by the Governor.
Government Ethics (SB702) - As a part of his continuing commitment to rooting out corruption and mismanagement in Illinois government, Senator Harmon sponsored several bills that create greater oversight in State government. He was proud to sponsor Senate Bill 702 enacting landmark ethics reform in State government. This bill is now law.
Mercury Free Vaccines (HB 511) - Working with constituents Senator Harmon passed House Bill 511 which bans the use of the element mercury in vaccines. Children are especially susceptible to mercury poisoning, and some researchers suspect a link between mercury poisoning and autism. Because vaccines can be made safely without mercury, Senator Harmon felt that protecting our children and families was the best choice. This bill is now law.
Firearms Dealer Licensing Act (SB 332) - This bill seeks to end illegal gun purchases by requiring that gun dealers be licensed by the Illinois State Police. It also requires that any licensed firearms dealer who sells or transfers a firearm to a person who is not a licensed dealer report the transactions to the Illinois State Police.
Expanding Long Term Care Options for Seniors (HB 5057) - Senator Harmon sponsored House Bill 5057 to help Illinois’ senior citizens by requiring the Department on Aging to develop a community reintegration program to assist those nursing home residents who would like to make the transition from a nursing home to a less-restrictive community setting. This program would assist nursing home residents and their families in selecting long-term care options that satisfy their needs and reflect their preferences. This bill is now law.
Addison Creek Restoration Commission (HB 4108) - To assist constituents living near Addison Creek, Senator Harmon sponsored House Bill 4108 to create the Addison Creek Restoration Commission to help convince the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reduce the size of the Addison Creek floodplain. The commission, which is made up of members appointed by the village president or mayor of the communities included in the current floodplain, is charged with relocating Addison Creek’s retention pond, restoring creek beds, and enhancing fencing for security and safety around areas of Addison Creek as part of their effort to convince FEMA to revise the floodplain. The commission’s work will help promote development, and reduce the cost of insurance for many in the current floodplain. This bill is now law.
Streamlining Government (HB 729) - In an effort to streamline county government, Senator Harmon sponsored House Bill 729 to dissolve the Suburban Cook County Tuberculosis Sanitarium District and to require the Cook County Department of Public Health to assume responsibility for the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis in suburban Cook County. This change will abolish the current tax levy, provide better and more comprehensive health service, and remove unnecessary government.
Stopping Unauthorized Videotaping (SB 3130) - Senator Harmon was the Chief Sponsor of Senate Bill 3130, which adds digital cameras and other electronic recording devices to the offense of unauthorized videotaping and increases the penalties. Before this bill became law, unauthorized videotaping only applied to cameras that operate using some kind of film. The bill also prohibits the placement of hidden surveillance devices in restrooms, tanning beds, tanning salons, locker rooms, changing rooms, hotel bedrooms, and private residences.
Responsible Hospital Staffing Act (HB 1083) - To help ensure that Illinois’ nurses are accessible and available to meet the needs of hospital patients, Senator Harmon sponsored House Bill 1083 creating the Responsible Hospital Staffing Act. Under this act, hospitals are required to develop a written staffing plan for nurses. In addition, a hospital would have to pay a nurse if the nurse was forced to work through an unpaid break or meal period. The bill will help protect our overworked nurses, so that they can continue to protect us and our loved ones.
