Special education students to graduate with classmates under new law

SPRINGFIELD – Under a new law sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham and State Representative Fran Hurley, special education students will get to graduate with their classmates starting with the 2021-2022 school year.

“We are righting a long-standing wrong by allowing special education students to finish out their final year of school,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “Starting this year, they will get to graduate with their classmates and say proper goodbyes to their friends and teachers.”

Read more: Special education students to graduate with classmates under new law

New Murphy law keeps condo management local

SPRINGFIELD – Condominium boards will be allowed to require a majority of board members to live on site under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“When a condominium board is made up of off-site board members, residents’ needs may not be accurately represented,” Murphy said. “This legislation gives condominium associations the chance to ensure decisions are being made by the people who live there.”

The legislation allows a condominium’s bylaws to include a provision requiring the majority of the condominium board to be made up of members who occupy a unit as their primary residence.

A constituent approached Murphy with the idea for the legislation, citing concerns that board members who do not reside on the property may not be positioned to make decisions affecting other unit owners.

“Nonresidents may not have the same motivations and interests as those who live on the condominium property,” Murphy said. “Important decisions should be made by those who call the community home.”

Senate Bill 636 was signed into law Monday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Pair of Feigenholtz proposals modernizing marriage certificates become law

CHICAGO – A pair of proposals that State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) sponsored to modernize marriage certificates in Illinois are now law, after being signed by the governor Tuesday.

“Today, we commit to righting the wrongs of the past and providing a path for our residents to live a life that truly reflects how they identify,” Feigenholtz said.

Under Senate Bill 139, married couples will now be able to request a marriage certificate from their county clerk without any gender identifying language. This includes changing terms like "bride" and "groom" to gender neutral alternatives, such as "spouse."

Read more: Pair of Feigenholtz proposals modernizing marriage certificates become law

Infertility treatment coverage expanded to include marginalized women under Senator Fine measure

SPRINGFIELD – Insurance coverage for infertility treatment for all women, regardless of marital status, will be accessible under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which was signed into law Tuesday. 

“Every woman in Illinois deserves insurance coverage for infertility treatment,” Senator Fine said. “If a woman is experiencing fertility issues, she should be covered by insurance regardless of her age, medical history, partner status or sexual orientation.”

Current coverage requirements only protect infertility treatments for women under 35 who are unable to become pregnant after one year of trying, women over 35 who are unable to become pregnant after six months, and women who are not medically able to conceive.

Read more: Infertility treatment coverage expanded to include marginalized women under Senator Fine measure