Ventura-backed medically assisted treatment program to address opiate overdose deaths

SPRINGFIELD – According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fewer than half of jails surveyed across the nation offer some form of medication for opioid use disorder, with only 12.8% making it available to anyone with the disorder. To address the lack of treatments available for incarcerated individuals in the state, State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced Senate Bill 2185 to the Senate.

“Providing these assisted treatments to incarcerated individuals will help break the cycle of addiction, encourage stability in their lives and lead to decreased rates of re-incarceration,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We have seen this work positively in other states. With overdoses being the leading cause of death among people returning to their communities after incarceration, it is clear we need these treatments available statewide to see a difference.”

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Ventura to address child incarceration under proposed task force

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura presented a new bill in committee that seeks to reform the state's approach to child incarceration. Senate Bill 2156 would establish the Child First Reform Task Force to review and recommend reforms to the juvenile justice system, including training for courts and law enforcement on child-first directives and integrating restorative practices. Prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment, the bill aims to create a more compassionate system that protects children’s rights and addresses the broader consequences of criminalization.

“This task force will gather essential insights to help reshape our juvenile justice system with a child-first approach — one that prioritizes rehabilitation, healing and prevention while still ensuring accountability and safety. This is a crucial step toward justice for our children and communities,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This legislation is not just about reforming systems; it’s about redefining how we see and support our children. Every child, regardless of their background, deserves the resources and opportunities to grow into a healthy, productive adult. By investing in community-based alternatives to juvenile detention, we can create real, positive change that helps troubled youth find a better path forward.”

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Ventura highlights importance of literacy, collects hundreds of books for incarcerated individuals

JOLIET – To promote and raise awareness about literacy, Senator Rachel Ventura recently hosted a month-long book drive to collect books for incarcerated individuals, collaborating with the Will County Center for Correctional Concerns.

“A common theme I noticed when visiting Stateville and other incarceration facilities was the deep desire and need for new books. There is a deep yearning to equip yourself with knowledge and to better one’s education for many. Oftentimes, incarcerated individuals are left with decades old books to re-read over and over,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This book drive was coordinated to acquire unused and unwanted books from surrounding communities to donate new reading materials to promote literacy and reduce paper waste.”

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Ventura spearheads legislation aimed at protecting global forests, boosting economic development in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Rachel Ventura introduced the Deforestation-Free Illinois Act, to make Illinois the first state to ensure state purchases don’t contribute to deforestation, forest degradation, or human rights violations.

“The state has made a serious commitment to reducing its carbon footprint with CEJA. Now more than ever, we must align Illinois’ procurement policy to match those commitments and move toward a deforestation-free procurement policy,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Preventing deforestation is one of the most cost-effective climate mitigation strategies – by aligning our state with the policies set in this legislation, our state can make bold improvements in protecting the climate, biodiversity and human rights.”

Senate Bill 2157 would make Illinois a leader in responsible sourcing, aligning with global efforts to protect forests, climate, and biodiversity.

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