Glowiak Hilton law expands services at Philip J. Rock Center and School

SPRINGFIELD – A new law initiated by State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton extends the services offered at the Philip J. Rock Center and School in Glen Ellyn to children who are deaf or blind.

“The Philip J. Rock Center and School is a vital resource for our children with visual and hearing impairments. This law gives more children access to the resources the center provides,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Our children count on us to make decisions here in Springfield that address their needs. This law helps expand opportunities for children in DuPage County.”

The Philip J. Rock Center and School is the only publicly funded residential school in the country for deaf-blind students. The school currently assists nine students from age three through 21.

Under the new law, the center can serve children who have visual or hearing impairments, as well as those who have both. With construction underway on a new facility that will accommodate up to 20 students, Glowiak Hilton’s law allows the Philip J. Rock Center and School to expand their services to more children in the community with hearing or visual impairments.

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Glowiak Hilton, Blair-Sherlock host Coffee and Conversation in Villa Park

VILLA PARK – Local residents are invited to join State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton and State Representative Diane Blair-Sherlock for a cup of coffee and conversations on Aug. 10.

“A good cup of coffee and a conversation can go a long way,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “I hope residents will take this opportunity to chat about any issues or concerns that they may have.”

The free event will be held Saturday, Aug. 10 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Funky Java Coffee, located at 40 S. Villa Ave. #6 in Villa Park. The Coffee and Conversation serves as an open forum for community members to share their concerns and talk with the senator and representative about state issues. Coffee will be provided for attendees.

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Glowiak Hilton law prohibits pharmacies from refusing paper prescriptions

SPRINGFIELD – In order to make medication more accessible to Illinoisans, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton’s new law prohibits pharmacists from refusing to fill a written prescription.

“Pharmacies must accept doctors’ prescriptions for approved medication regardless of how the prescription is sent to them,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Every Illinoisan deserves the right to their medication when they need it.”

In response to the opioid epidemic, Illinois passed a law in 2021 requiring prescriptions of controlled substance to be sent electronically. However, some pharmacists have been refusing to fill non-electronic prescriptions despite exceptions under the law. Glowiak Hilton’s new measure will clarify this process by prohibiting pharmacists from refusing to fill paper or non-electronic prescriptions.

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Glowiak Hilton law extends time nurses can practice while awaiting license

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to address the nursing shortage in Illinois, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton passed a law to extend the time nurses can practice while waiting for the review of their license application.

“Long application waiting periods should not affect a nurse’s ability to work,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This initiative ensures our medical facilities are filled with qualified professionals who can continue to provide high-quality care under supervision while awaiting their license.”

Under the new measure, advanced practice registered nurses with pending applications will be allowed to practice under supervision for six months while waiting for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s review of their application. Previously, this status was revoked after three months. These nurses would need to have completed at least 250 hours of continuing education in their area of certification and have at least 4,000 hours of clinical experience to be applicable for this opportunity.

According to The Illinois Update, over half of registered nurses in Illinois are over the age of 55, with the state being projected to see a nursing shortage of 15,000 by 2025. Glowiak Hilton’s law will help combat this shortage and bring more nurses to hospitals within the state.

“Illinois’ nursing shortage is a crisis, and we cannot turn away accredited professionals,” said Glowiak Hilton. “Our nurses provide compassion and care for patients — turning them away would cause even more harm for those who desperately need immediate care.”

House Bill 5047 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.