Morrison leads measure to require law enforcement plans in schools, just weeks after a student brought a gun to Highland Park High School

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure that Illinois schools have a crisis response plan in case of an emergency, State Senator Julie Morrison is advancing a measure that would require rapid entry protocol for law enforcement and first responders, including the threat of firearms. 

“It seems like every day there is a new violent threat made against schools – we just saw that at Highland Park High School,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “While we have taken strides to curb gun violence in Illinois, we must continue to develop new strategies in partnership with law enforcement and first responders so that our schools are as safe as possible.” 

Morrison’s House Bill 3559 would require schools’ emergency and crisis response plans to include procedures for local law enforcement to rapidly enter the school building in the event of an emergency.

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Peters to expand on the No Representation Without Population Act

SPRINGFIELD – With the intention of addressing the No Representation Without Population Act, State Senator Robert Peters carried a measure to ensure the master record file of the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice contains the racial background and the last known complete street address of an individual prior to their incarceration.

“The creation of the No Representation Without Population Act was a great start at ending prison gerrymandering,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Expanding on that legislation to guarantee we have the correct addresses for those impacted by the justice system will ensure its effectiveness to the fullest extent.”

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Koehler measure to provide hearing aid coverage for all

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler is spearheading a measure to require insurance providers to cover hearing aids and related services for people of all ages.

“Illinoisans shouldn’t have to face financial burdens for something that is necessary for a high quality of life,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “Hearing aids are devices that should be covered by insurance, and not by the wallets of those who wear them.”

House Bill 2443 builds upon the 2018 measure Koehler-supported measure that required insurance to cover hearing aids for children under the age of 18. Koehler’s measure expands upon that by requiring insurers to provide coverage for everyone if their doctor prescribes a hearing instrument – which can cost up to $4,000.

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Reconstructive surgeries for trauma survivors would be covered under Loughran Cappel measure that heads to Senate floor

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a measure through the Senate Insurance Committee that would require insurance coverage for medically necessary reconstructive surgeries as a result of a traumatic experience.

“Victims shouldn’t have to be reminded of a traumatic accident when they look in a mirror,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Whether it’s a scar from domestic violence or a car accident, injuries should be covered by insurance.”

House Bill 1384 would require HMOs, Medicaid and individual and group health insurance policies to cover medically necessary reconstructive surgeries to restore a person’s physical appearance that was damaged by trauma.

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