“Swift, informed action can be the difference between life and death when a child swallows a potential poison. We can’t let the Illinois Poison Center close its doors.” - State Senator Don Harmon

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon’s plan to keep the Illinois Poison Center open passed its first test today when it moved out of an important Senate committee. The center has been the victim of years of repeated budget cuts, and officials expect it to close its doors for good at the end of June if Illinois government can’t find more funds.

“Swift, informed action can be the difference between life and death when a child swallows a potential poison,” said Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat. “We can’t let the Illinois Poison Center close its doors.”

The Illinois Poison Center handles nearly 82,000 cases of potential poisoning each year.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s $302 billion proposal to repair and expand the nation’s roads and rails:

“I agree with President Obama that we need to reinvest in America’s infrastructure. Our state and national roads, bridges, and railroads are a vital part of Chicagoland. Without constant upkeep and reinvestment from both the state and federal government, our local economy will suffer.”

Click below to read more about the President's plan:

Obama: Tax overhaul should fund transportation projects

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) is supporting a proposed law to outlaw a practice commonly called “revenge porn” – when someone who happens to have indecent pictures of another person posts those photos on a publicly accessible website as a means of shaming and harassing that person.

“People have a right to privacy,” Harmon said. “Greater access to technology shouldn’t change that basic right.”

The legislation makes it a felony to post sexually explicit photos or videos of a person online without that person’s consent. It also makes it a felony to host a website that requires payment to take down these photos. Many such websites also post personal contact information. Violating the law would result in up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

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“We cannot allow Illinois to become the only state in the Union without a poison control center. This is literally a life-and-death issue.” - State Senator Don Harmon

SPRINGFIELD – After years of federal and state budget cuts, the Illinois Poison Center is in imminent danger of closing its doors if it can’t find another source of income. State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) has a plan that could help the life-saving resource keep its doors open.

“We cannot allow Illinois to become the only state in the Union without a poison control center,” Harmon said. “This is literally a life-and-death issue.”

The Illinois Poison Center, which handles nearly 82,000 cases of potential poisoning each year, has announced that it will close June 30 if a solution cannot be found.

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