ISDC

Connor’s new law creates increased business transparency in Illinois

Details: Friday, July 09, 2021 04:15 PM

SPRINGFIELD – The secretary of state will be required to publish publicly-accessible data on a daily basis under a new law sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) and signed Friday.

“Illinois is the only state that does not offer its business data for free online,” Connor said. “This legislation will bring us into the 21^st century and will substantially increase our transparency and efficiency as a state.”

Under the new law, the secretary of state will be required to publish a daily list of all newly formed corporations, both business and non-profit, chartered on that day. The list will be made available as open data and accessible to the general public.

Homeless college students will have more comprehensive support under Glowiak Hilton law

Details: Friday, July 09, 2021 04:12 PM

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure students experiencing homelessness are aware of available resources, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) has created a housing insecurity liaison position at all higher education institutions in Illinois.

“Students without permanent housing may not be aware of the resources available to them on campus and in their communities,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By creating a housing insecurity liaison, we are working to prevent homeless students from falling through the cracks by connecting them with aid.”

Glowiak Hilton’s law requires each institution to appoint a Housing and Opportunities Useful for Students' Excellence (HOUSE) liaison. Their responsibilities would include identifying appropriate services, understanding aid eligibility, tracking graduation and retention rates, reporting the number of students using homelessness resources, and developing a plan to provide access to on-campus housing between academic breaks to homeless students enrolled at the institution.

Connor’s new law identifies and addresses racial bias in AI hiring processes

Details: Friday, July 09, 2021 04:10 PM

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) was signed into law Friday that would require stricter monitoring of possible racial bias by businesses that use artificial intelligence in their hiring processes.

“It is our responsibility to eliminate racial bias in all aspects of our society, and this is an important step in that direction,” Connor said. “No one should lose an opportunity because of the color of their skin.”

Artificial Intelligence is used in the hiring processes of many large companies. Prospective employees record a video of themselves answering a series of designated questions, and the company’s AI software then analyzes the video to assign scores to facial expressions, word choice, body language and vocal tone. Applicants are chosen for advancement based on their assigned score.

Insurance plans to be clearer on what telehealth options are available under new law by Collins

Details: Friday, July 09, 2021 04:06 PM

CHICAGO – Insurers will be required to inform policyholders whether health care providers offer telehealth or telemedicine and how they’ll accommodate a family caregiver under a new law signed by Gov. Pritzker today, the result of legislation by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago).

“The shift to telehealth during the pandemic has actually been something of an upside for patients who struggle with mobility challenges or a lack of ready access to transportation,” Collins said. “This law acknowledges that this is a new normal, and that patients need to be informed of their options as they determine their coverage. I want to thank Gov. Pritzker for signing this into law today.”

Senate Bill 332 also requires insurance providers to detail whether a health care provider has the ability and willingness to include a family caregiver who is in a different location than the patient in a telehealth or telemedicine encounter.

The legislation is effective immediately.