CHICAGO – State Senators Ram Villivalam and Robert Peters celebrated the signing of two new laws Monday that will protect Illinoisans with disabilities from housing discrimination and make state government more accessible to the community.
House Bill 2775, sponsored by Villivalam (D-Chicago), adds “source of income” to the Illinois Human Rights Act's protections against discrimination in real estate transactions, making it a civil rights violation to refuse to consider an individual for housing solely based on their source of income. To comply with the law, housing providers are required to treat each applicant the same during their evaluation and screening process.
PEORIA – Students across Illinois are guaranteed a plant-based lunch option at school under legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler.
“Students may have dietary needs rooted in in religious, health-related or other, personal, reasons,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By offering a nutritious, plant-based option, we can satisfy those requirements and ensure all students are able to take full advantage of what may be the only meal they can depend on that day.”
Read more: Illinois students to have plant-based lunch option under Koehler’s new law
SPRINGFIELD – Those without health insurance will receive information on available state health insurance with a check of a box thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) that was signed on Friday.
“This will allow every resident to figure out their health care options and see if they are qualified for state health insurance by simply checking a box on a form,” Stadelman said. “We can provide lifesaving information to those who are struggling and may not know how to get covered.”
Read more: Stadelman law helps increase awareness of state health insurance options
Sims champions law after death of Jelani Day
SPRINGFIELD — When Illinois State University student Jelani Day went missing, it took two weeks to find his body and another three weeks to identify his remains. This led State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) to champion a law signed Friday to allow county coroners and medical examiners to receive federal assistance in identifying missing persons.
Read more: New Sims law requires FBI involvement in cases where bodies remain unidentified
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