Welcome to the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus

Johnson’s new law creates non-profit investment pool

SPRINGFIELD – Non-profits in Illinois will have new investment opportunities, thanks to a new law from State Senator Adriane Johnson.

“Illinois-based non-profits should have the same high-quality investment opportunities as government entities,” said State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Greater investment opportunities means food pantries will have the resources to provide more food, homeless shelters can provide more beds, health care providers can offer more services to those in need and legal aid centers can assist more Illinoisans who have limited resources to address their legal needs.”

Senate Bill 2968 authorizes the State Treasurer to create a non-profit investment pool and an electronic payment-processing program to supplement and enhance investment opportunities for 501(c) non-profit organizations located in Illinois. The Non-Profit Investment Pool will provide hundreds of non-profits across the State the opportunity for safe, liquid, and competitive investments.

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Aquino measure increasing hospital oversight signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – As private-equity backed hospital systems increasingly threaten access to care, a new law spearheaded by State Senator Omar Aquino will provide meaningful oversight of hospital ownership changes and services discontinuations.

“Across the country, we have seen it time and time again: private equity firms buying hospitals, slashing services, laying off health care workers or shuttering the facility all together,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “When hospitals are treated as financial assets, it poses a serious risk to our state’s health care infrastructure. With this law, Illinois is stepping in to provide stronger oversight and safeguard access to services our communities depend on.”

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Villanueva law to protect divested property owners from equity theft

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois residents will soon see a new tax sale process that helps prevent financial windfalls for property owners facing foreclosure, thanks to a law State Senator Celina Villanueva championed that prioritizes returning surplus equity to divested property owners.

“It’s pertinent we recognize this previous property tax process for what it was: exploitative to the hardworking Illinoisans who pay their back taxes with hard-earned money,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “It’s outright unfair to residents who have a property worth tens of thousands of dollars to have that property foreclosed on and be left with no recourse, no equity and, often times, no chance to rebuild their lives on a new property.” 

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Loughran Cappel law to broaden autism diagnostic access for children

SPRINGFIELD – Realizing that Illinois does not have enough clinicians authorized to diagnose autism, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel led a new law to ensure early identification of autism in children, as well as medical and educational support.

“Due to the current shortage of medical professionals allowed to diagnose autism, children are waiting up to two years for an autism evaluation, which leaves families without support during their children’s critical early years,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We need to make sure children can receive evaluations in an appropriate time, and that they receive the support they need for a successful educational career and life.” 

Read more: Loughran Cappel law to broaden autism diagnostic access for children