SPRINGFIELD – Last summer, significant flooding hit Cook County in the wake of historic storms, leaving numerous properties with immense damage and leading President Joe Biden to approve a federal disaster declaration for the area. In response, State Senator Mike Porfirio is leading legislation to address future flooding concerns by giving renters the right to receive critical information about a property’s flooding history before they sign their lease.
“This bill is a crucial step toward ensuring the safety and wellbeing of tenants across the state,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “By requiring landlords to disclose flood hazards, we are arming renters with the knowledge they need to protect themselves and their families from potential harm.”
Berwyn and Cicero – in the district Porfirio represents – received nearly nine inches of rain in a matter of hours from a storm on June 2 last summer, causing extensive damage to residential and commercial properties and requiring costly repairs. Currently, only seven states require some disclosure of flood risk to renters. Porfirio’s measure would equip potential tenants with essential information about flood risks before renting the property, fostering a fair and informed rental market.
Read more: Porfirio measure to notify potential renters of flood risks one step closer to law
SPRINGFIELD – The cost of managing diabetes can be a significant burden for many families. To help ease the financial strain experienced by people with the condition, State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to expand insurance coverage for medically necessary glucose monitors and related supplies.
“Being forced to make the choice between insulin and other necessities is unacceptable,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It is my goal to ensure that insurance companies adequately cover life-saving medication for people with all types of diabetes.”
Senate Bill 3414 would require insurance companies to cover glucose monitors, related supplies, and training on how to use glucose monitors for individuals diagnosed with any form of diabetes. Under the measure, a person would not need to have prior authorization for coverage for a glucose monitor and any physician would be allowed to prescribe them.
Read more: Morrison passes measure to expand insurance coverage for diabetes supplies
SPRINGFIELD – A measure led by State Senator Laura Ellman to make the property tax exemption process easier for qualified seniors passed the Senate on Tuesday.
“My goal is to make property taxes seamless for seniors and remove their worries about the application process,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “We are building on what has worked for our seniors in previous years, and this legislation extends that relief to all senior citizen homestead exemptions for years to come.”
Between 2019 and 2023, the requirement to reapply for the senior citizen homestead exemption was temporarily removed under a pilot program. Currently, in all counties in Illinois, apart from Cook, there is no review requirement to assess these tax exemptions. Senate Bill 2878 would permanently remove the renewal requirement and make reviews a permanent requirement for Cook County. For counties currently practicing automatic renewals, the county assessor must also conduct a review.
Read more: Ellman advances measure to bring Cook County seniors tax relief
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson championed a measure to require certain non-profit organizations to disclose the aggregate demographic data of their boards of directors and officers, and to make this information available on their website.
“We are taking vital steps to support diversity and inclusion in the non-profit sector,” said Johnson (D – Buffalo Grove). “While individual board members can decline to disclose any or all demographic information, it is important that we continue to highlight and elevate leadership diversity, equity and inclusion throughout Illinois.”
Senate Bill 2930 would require charitable organizations that annually report $1 million or more in grants to other charitable organizations to disclose on their public-facing websites the aggregate demographic data of their boards of directors. This demographic data includes race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Additionally, in collecting this information, the organization must provide an opportunity for individual board members to decline to disclose any or all of their personal demographic information.
Read more: Johnson advances measure to highlight the diversity and inclusion of non-profits
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