SPRINGFIELD – Custody of defendants with mental health issues will become more streamlined due to legislation being signed into law.

“We need to make resources readily available to ensure the mental health of anyone determined to be unfit to stand trial are dealt with appropriately,” State Senator Bill Cunningham said.

The legislation, House Bill 649, would create a formal process for the county sheriff and the Department of Human Services to handle custody of defendants found unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity. It provides requirements regarding the evaluation and transportation of the defendant to a secure facility.

“This new law will only keep our communities safer in the long run,” Cunningham said.

The measure was signed by the governor on Friday.

SPRINGFIELD—Senator Bill Cunningham issued the following statement in response to the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1:

“For far too long we have shortchanged communities throughout the southwest suburbs when it comes to equitable funding for schools. Instead of seeing the amount of good it would do for schools in communities like Chicago Ridge, Palos Hills and Worth, the governor put politics first. We need a path forward that will ensure all schools are properly funded this fall and that they won’t be harmed by this careless veto.”

SPRINGFIELD—Senator Bill Cunningham issued the following statement in regards to a bipartisan balanced budget plan passing the Illinois Senate:

“Finally, Illinois can start to repair the damage done by this impasse that was unnecessary and lasted too long,” Cunningham said. “We can start to repair the damage done to higher education and our social services. With this plan, MAP grant students can know that this fall they can attend the school of their choice without worry of not being able to afford it.”

SPRINGFIELD—Senator Bill Cunningham issued the following statement regarding Christine Radogno’s decision to step down as Republican Leader:

“Leader Radogno has not only been a top-tier public servant, but she has been an outstanding role model for legislators on both sides of the aisle,” Cunningham said. “Her time as a state senator has been one of finding the right bipartisan path forward to good solutions for Illinois. I wish her all the best.”

Senator Cunningham represents portions of Worth, Orland and Palos Townships in the southwest suburbs and the neighborhoods of Mt. Greenwood, Beverly, Morgan Park and Auburn-Gresham in Chicago.