Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure Illinois maintains consistent oversight of dangerous chemical contamination regardless of shifting federal policies, State Senator Laura Fine is advancing legislation to strengthen the state’s ability to track and understand PFAS—commonly known as “forever chemicals”—in the environment.

“PFAS contamination is not just a future problem – it’s affecting communities today,” said Fine (D Glenview). “This measure ensures we have the tools to track these chemicals and take meaningful action to protect public health and the environment.”

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure patients can consistently access the medicines they depend on, State Senator Laura Fine is leading legislation to safeguard insurance coverage for topical eye medications.

“Patients shouldn’t have to choose between following their doctor’s instructions and fighting their insurance company for a refill,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This measure ensures that people who rely on eye drops for conditions like glaucoma can maintain their treatment uninterrupted. Vision is too important to be delayed by insurance red tape.”

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator Laura Fine called a press conference on Wednesday to outline crucial legislation that would protect families and curb ICE intimidation by preventing newly hired ICE agents from serving as law enforcement officers in Illinois.

“Police officers occupy positions of public trust. Given widespread concern over ICE’s violent tactics, allowing current ICE agents to police local communities undermines that trust and should be prohibited,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “My district is one of many communities across the state that has repeatedly voiced concerns about increased ICE activity in our neighborhoods, schools, shopping centers and public spaces, and it’s time we take action against threats to public safety.”

SPRINGFIELD – In order to protect community based foster care agencies from the increasing costs and the decreasing availability of liability insurance, State Senator Laura Fine passed legislation to analyze the current foster care liability insurance landscape in Illinois.

“Foster care and adoption services must maintain liability coverage to operate in the state,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Without sustainable insurance options, these foster agencies are at risk of shutting down altogether.”

SPRINGFIELD – Protecting young children from toxic heavy metal exposure is essential to preventing future developmental delays. To address this, State Senator Laura Fine passed a law requiring baby food to be tested for toxic metals and providing parents with information about the safety of their infant’s food.

“Parents deserve the confidence that the food they’re giving their baby is safe and nutritious,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This law provides that peace of mind by ensuring baby food is thoroughly tested and that manufacturers follow clear safety standards.”

Fine’s law requires manufacturers to test samples of their baby food products for toxic elements – such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury – and disclose this information directly on the product’s website. The information must include the name and level of each toxic heavy metal found in the food, the product name, and a link to the FDA’s website with information about the health risks of toxic heavy metal exposure for children. Links to this information must also be easily accessible on the products themselves, through a QR code.

SPRINGFIELD – To support mothers trying to balance work life and home life, State Senator Laura Fine’s legislation to allow for paid break time for pumping breast milk has been signed into law. This law ensures working mothers who nurse their infants do not have to be concerned about losing income in order to provide for their baby.

“Without workplace accommodations that consider the time required to breastfeed a newborn or infant, the burden of balancing work responsibilities and personal responsibilities becomes increasingly challenging,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “We are not only encouraging a supportive work environment for these employees, we are also empowering Illinois mothers who must work to support their families.”

Fine’s new law clarifies that employees’ time for pumping breastmilk has to be paid and that employees would not be required to use paid leave during breaks.

GLENVIEW – State Senator Laura Fine introduced legislation to address rising insurance premiums that are putting financial pressure on families across Illinois.

“Excessive increases in the cost of homeowners insurance are straining budgets for everyday Illinoisans statewide,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “We must do what we can to protect vulnerable families while also ensuring premium dollars are going towards paying out claims, not CEO bonuses.”

SPRINGFIELD – To further increase access to mental health treatment, State Senator Laura Fine passed a law extending the existing prior authorization ban to cover medically necessary outpatient mental health services.

“Mental health care needs are equivalent to physical health care needs,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This law breaks down barriers to access so patients can receive the help they need in a timely manner.”

Last year, the Healthcare Protection Act was signed into law, making health care more accessible and affordable for Illinoisans. The law banned step therapy requirements, prohibited prior authorization for inpatient mental health care at hospitals, banned junk insurance plans, and ended unchecked rate increases for large group insurance companies.