Fees waived for Illinois veterans adopting pets thanks to Loughran Cappel law

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois veterans will be able to adopt a pet without paying fees on Jan. 1, thanks to a new law from State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

“Our veterans put their lives on the line to protect our freedom,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Everyone deserves companionship, and we have seen the benefits pets can give veterans including improved health and overall happiness.”

Across the state, pet adoption fees vary widely depending on the organization, ranging from $50 to $275. Loughran Cappel’s new law requires animal shelters and animal control facilities to waive the adoption fee for military veterans in Illinois.

Read more: Fees waived for Illinois veterans adopting pets thanks to Loughran Cappel law

Fine ensures consumer protections for hearing aid returns

SPRINGFIELD – Building on her previous legislation, a new law from State Senator Laura Fine strengthens consumer protections for the purchase of hearing aids.

“Hearing aids are important tools to help those with hearing loss communicate in ways they are most comfortable with,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This legislation will ensure consumers have the protection of a 30-day return period so if a hearing aid is not supporting their communication needs, they will be able to return them for an alternative.”

Earlier this year, Senator Fine passed Senate Bill 1721 which required all hearing instruments and hearing aids to be dispensed or sold in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission's regulations. This law also established the evaluation standards for a person seeking a hearing aid, and it permits the waiver of a prescription for a hearing aid if the individual is over 18.

Read more: Fine ensures consumer protections for hearing aid returns

New Toro legislation to protect caregivers from job discrimination

SPRINGFIELD —To ensure employees are not treated differently in the workplace or passed over in the hiring process due to their caregiver role, State Senator Natalie Toro is working to amend the Human Rights Act to protect people with family responsibilities from discrimination.  

“Just because a person has external obligations to support their family does not mean they aren’t capable of successfully doing these jobs,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “Assuming differently without any demonstrated proof that their performance has changed is discrimination and should be banned by state  laws.”

Read more: New Toro legislation to protect caregivers from job discrimination

New Castro law paves the way for increased diversity, efficiency in state contracting

SPRINGFIELD — A new law sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro addresses a number of procurement issues and aims to increase diversity and efficiency throughout the state’s commerce process.

“Ensuring our state agencies, universities, vendors, suppliers and minority contractors can contract and complete projects more efficiently, transparently and sustainably is at the core of this law,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Streamlining the process and expanding supplier diversity measures opens the door to new opportunities for veteran- and minority-owned contractors — not just the big firms — who have worked for years to secure contracts to work on important projects in our state.”

The law makes a number of changes to streamline the procurement process. It subjects corporations that hold state contracts to additional transparency requirements and enhances transparency in the Business Enterprise Council by requiring the annual small business report to be made public.

Read more: New Castro law paves the way for increased diversity, efficiency in state contracting