WESTERN SPRINGS — State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is helping Western Springs residents protect their personal information by offering a free shred event on Oct. 4.

“Clearing out old bank statements and bills that are lying around is an important, but sometimes overlooked, way to protect yourself,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Events like these give residents a safe and easy way to shred documents and keep sensitive information out of the wrong hands.”

Residents can safely discard documents on Saturday, Oct. 4 in the parking lot of the Western Springs Recreation Center, 1500 Walker St., from 9 a.m. to noon or until the truck is full. A limit of two boxes per car will be accepted.

The event, in partnership with the Village of Western Springs, will run alongside the village’s monthly residential Styrofoam recycling program. All block Styrofoam, egg cartons and clean food containers will be accepted.

For questions about the shred event, contact Glowiak Hilton’s office at 630-785-3177.

SPRINGFIELD — Women in Illinois will soon have improved access to information about fertility and family planning under a new law from State Senator Glowiak Hilton.

“Women deserve to know all of their options when making informed decisions about their future,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This law equips them with science-backed fertility information so they can plan with confidence.”

According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the ability for a woman to get pregnant starts to decline at age 30. To assess a woman’s likelihood of getting pregnant on their own, health care providers can use ovarian reserve testing — a blood test and ultrasound — to estimate the number of healthy eggs in a woman’s ovaries.

SPRINGFIELD — A new law from State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton will strengthen protections for children in the foster care system by ensuring individuals with trafficking convictions are barred from serving as foster or adoptive guardians.

“When gaps in the system allow vulnerable children to be placed in harm’s way, it’s our responsibility to make changes,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This legislation came in response to real, troubling situations – not hypotheticals.”

The new law, under House Bill 871, prohibits the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services from placing children in foster or adoptive homes where any household member has a conviction related to human or sex trafficking.

SPRINGFIELD — Thanks to a new law from State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton, Illinois joins a growing list of states banning the sale of at-home sexual assault evidence collection kits, which experts say raise concerns about reliability and privacy.

“No one should be misled into thinking an at-home kit can replace the expert care of a medical professional,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “These kits give the illusion of privacy and control, but they can ultimately undermine a survivor’s ability to press charges.”

In Illinois, medical forensic exams are offered at no cost, and in addition to addressing physical trauma, a trained crisis advocate provides emotional supports and explains the survivor’s rights and options. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners conduct the exams, collect evidence according to established protocols and can testify in court if necessary.