SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) sponsored legislation this spring to help the Kendall County Courthouse grow to serve demand for additional facilities and more timely resolution of court cases. That bill was signed into law Friday.

Senate Bill 3737 will allow the county to finish space that was built but never completed, and to house additional judicial staff hired to support the increasing needs for court services in the growing county.

“Kendall County was the fastest growing county in the U.S. from 2000 to 2010, and the fastest growing county in Illinois from 2010 to 2020, having grown its population by 141% since 2000,” Holmes said. “Population growth means the courthouse needs expanding to meet the county’s legal proceedings, and I’m happy to help make this happen.”

AURORA – To address ever-increasing rates of vehicle thefts in Illinois, State Senator Linda Holmes supported three measures to offer protections to motorists and assistance to investigators that were signed into law Thursday.

“Families and motorists shouldn’t fear being on the roads because of a risk of being carjacked,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “These three new laws will help law enforcement crack down on car thefts, as well as providing financial protection to victims.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure to simplify the process for use of a county recorder’s official seal under the leadership of Sen. Linda Holmes was signed into law last week.

Sen. Holmes originally introduced Senate Bill 3187 to streamline the recording process to establish a stamped or electronic version of the county seal satisfies the signature requirement for record instruments.

“The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Reporters approached me about clarifying this issue after a Sangamon County Recorder’s office customer believed the printed name of the Recorder should be considered a signature,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “In any case where there is doubt as to whether a printed Recorder’s name is legal, this clearly states the recorded document is legal.”

SPRINGFIELD – When a woman requires a hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes causes estrogen to drop and menopause to begin. Insurance companies will soon be required to cover hormone therapy treatments under a plan led by State Senator Linda Holmes.

“A lack of estrogen causes women to develop osteoporosis, weak bones, hot flashes and other symptoms,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “Hormone therapy replaces some or all of the estrogen the woman’s ovaries would be making. Adding estrogen back into a woman’s body lowers their risk of certain medical conditions.”