Senator Bush’s measure to tackle lead in drinking water passes

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has more lead lines that bring drinking water into homes than any other state, but under the Lead Service Line Replacement Notification Act passed by Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake), that will change.

“Lead service lines are a health threat that poisons our children, undermines our residents’ confidence in our municipal government and costs billions of dollars,” Bush said. “This is a feasible and equitable path forward that would require all cities in Illinois to tackle a problem that we know harms Black and Latinx communities the most.”

Contained in House Bill 3739, the Lead Service Line Replacement Notification Act requires water utilities statewide to replace all lead service lines and creates a low-income water assistance program to help fund financial assistance and water projects that include lead pipe replacement.

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Insurance would expand to cover infertility treatment for single women, same-sex couples under Senator Fine legislation

SPRINGFIELD – Insurance coverage for infertility treatments would expand beyond women in heterosexual relationships under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Women of all ages, medical histories, partner statuses and sexual orientations should receive coverage for infertility treatment,” Senator Fine said. “This expansion would open the door for more Illinoisans to become mothers.”

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Feigenholtz passes marriage license name change legislation

SPRINGFIELD – Today, the Illinois Senate passed legislation requiring county clerks to issue new marriage certificates to reflect legal name changes. Sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), the measure was the second this session aimed at modernizing marriage license practice in Illinois.

“We’ve focused on removing gendered language on marriage certificates, but many individuals who adopt new gender identities often change their legal names in the process,” Feigenholtz said. “Simply removing the gendered language is not enough. Non-binary and transgender individuals should be able to have a marriage license that lists their correct name.”

House Bill 2590 requires county clerks in Illinois to issue new marriage certificates at the request of one of the parties involved that reflect legal name changes, provided the marriage occurred in Illinois and legal documentation of the name change is provided. The new certificate cannot contain additional markings, such as an indication of the individual’s former name.

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Hunter bill to address pregnancy-related absences in schools approved by Senate

SPRINGFIELD – A measure led by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) ensuring policies will be put in place if someone misses school due to pregnancy-related issues has passed the Senate.

“Girls should not have to miss out on their education just because they got pregnant,” Hunter said. “Whether planned or not, pregnant women deserve an access to their education.”

House Bill 3272 requires all school boards in the state to adopt written policies related to absences and missed homework or classwork assignments as a result of or related to a student's pregnancy.

Read more: Hunter bill to address pregnancy-related absences in schools approved by Senate