Welcome to Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus

Safeguarding patients from coverage loss, Ellman targets overdue premium policies

SPRINGFIELD – With nearly one in 10 Americans lacking health insurance coverage according to the U.S. Census Bureau, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced new legislation to ensure Illinois residents are not locked out of coverage due to past-due premium payments.

“Unexpected financial hardship can happen to anyone, especially when many are living paycheck to paycheck,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “We should not be creating additional barriers that prevent people from accessing essential health care.”

Read more: Safeguarding patients from coverage loss, Ellman targets overdue premium policies

Rehabilitation credit opportunities for individuals in pretrial detention expanded under Ellman legislation

SPRINGFIELD – Studies find that work release programs can play a crucial role in reducing recidivism and promoting successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. However, there is a lack of rehabilitation credit opportunities for individuals in pretrial detention, leading State Senator Laura Ellman to advance Senate Bill 3333.

“While Illinois is a leading state in creating opportunities for incarcerated individuals, we still have many avenues we can improve,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Bettering oneself through education is the greatest gift we can give to society and my hope is to see more opportunities being created to reduce recidivism and improve public safety in the long run.”

Senate Bill 3333 would allow individuals held in county jails prior to trial to receive sentence credit for completing certain programming such as work assignments, parenting programs, volunteer activities, and supervised community work. Currently, similar programming can earn credit for individuals incarcerated in Department of Corrections’ facilities, but not for those in pretrial detention due to gaps in statutory language.

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Guzmán effort to accommodate sanitary options for women on jobsites passes Senate

CHICAGO – State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill, in partnership with Chicago Women in Trades to provide sanitary conditions, reasonable accommodations and menstrual products on job sites has passed the Senate.

“Women and anyone who menstruates have a right to care for their bodies in a dignified and sanitary way,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Whether in the office or on the job site, we need commonsense accommodations for those who menstruate and those who are lactating. This legislation uplifts women which in turn will support the trades and their hard work.”

Read more: Guzmán effort to accommodate sanitary options for women on jobsites passes Senate

Morrison advances measure ensuring insurance coverage for seizure detection devices

DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison lead legislation through the Senator providing coverage for medically necessary seizure detection devices – bolstering treatment and diagnostic access for those suffering from seizure disorders.

“Detection is a first line defense for many diseases and disorders – but it is only helpful if the technology or education that can alert a patient or their loved ones is accessible to them,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “By expanding access to live-saving medical technology, like seizure detection devices for those suffering from seizure disorders, we are taking an active step in preventing hospitalizations and improving quality of life for residents.”

According to the Center for Disease Control, roughly 2.9 million adults and 456,000 children across the United States suffer from epilepsy or another seizure disorder. Detection devices were created and are accessible by patients affected with seizure disorders to better diagnose, aid and treat seizure events.

Read more: Morrison advances measure ensuring insurance coverage for seizure detection devices