CHICAGO – Insurers will be required to inform policyholders whether health care providers offer telehealth or telemedicine and how they’ll accommodate a family caregiver under a new law signed by Gov. Pritzker today, the result of legislation by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago).

“The shift to telehealth during the pandemic has actually been something of an upside for patients who struggle with mobility challenges or a lack of ready access to transportation,” Collins said. “This law acknowledges that this is a new normal, and that patients need to be informed of their options as they determine their coverage. I want to thank Gov. Pritzker for signing this into law today.”

Senate Bill 332 also requires insurance providers to detail whether a health care provider has the ability and willingness to include a family caregiver who is in a different location than the patient in a telehealth or telemedicine encounter.

The legislation is effective immediately.

Legislation is part of Collins’ push against trafficking

SPRINGFIELD – Information about human trafficking would also be displayed in public restrooms of establishments like truck stops, hotels and restaurants as part of the latest legislation fighting human trafficking sponsored by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago).

“This may seem like a minor action, but we must remember two very important things: Human trafficking is here in Illinois, and it thrives on invisibility,” said Collins. “Today, we have taken a small step toward raising awareness about this crime against humanity.”

Collins is the Senate sponsor of House Bill 588, which would require high-traffic businesses to display signs in their restrooms created by the Illinois Department of Human Services that list the phone number for the 24/7 National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline.

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) continued her efforts to fight human trafficking Thursday, passing legislation out of a Senate committee that would require human trafficking information and public service announcements be posted in public restrooms of businesses such as motels, truck stops, and restaurants.

“Illinois’ position at the crossroads of America means that human trafficking is happening here,” Collins said. “Raising the public’s awareness of this and conveying the message that we must work together to fight human trafficking is key, and posting this information is a first step to doing that.”

“This is the first step to bringing these crimes to light.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate acted to fight human trafficking Friday, passing two pieces of legislation by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) to study the problem and require more businesses that come into contact with traffickers to be more vigilant.

“Human trafficking is a crime against humanity that overwhelmingly affects people of color and women: 40% of human trafficking victims are Black,” Collins said. “We must acknowledge the hard truth that globally, the United States is one of the worst countries for human trafficking and that as a centrally located state that serves as a national transportation hub, it is happening here in Illinois.”

According to a 2014 study by the Urban Institute, human traffickers target Black women due to the belief getting caught will result in less jail time than if they traffic in white women. Black women constitute an estimated 40% of human trafficking victims despite only making up about 13% of the population. There are as many as 24,000 human trafficking victims in the Chicago area on any given day due to its status as a major city at the confluence of multiple interstates.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) issued the following statement on news of the verdict in Derek Chauvin’s trial:

“Today’s verdict is a consequence, an action to hold one police officer accountable. We can be thankful for the dedication and bravery of those who brought the truth of this incident to light and the decency and courage of a diverse jury. Yet, I hesitate to call today’s verdict justice.

“True justice would have been for George Floyd to walk away from his encounter with Derek Chauvin with his life. I am hopeful that this is the beginning of the broader change we must make for a criminal justice system that actually delivers justice, and a police presence that truly serves and protects all Americans.”

State Senator Jacqueline Collins and advocacy group leaders urged passage of her plan to require virtual visitation options at long-term care facilities in a virtual press conference Tuesday.

Collins (D-Chicago) said she’s sponsoring Senate Bill 2137 to fight the severe isolation that those in long-term care facilities have faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Collins was joined by AARP Illinois at the press conference, which was conducted via Zoom.

"We know that over the past year of this pandemic, nursing home residents have suffered beyond what is imaginable. Many have lost their friends or caregivers, and have had to live in fear for their own health and safety. Nursing homes in communities of color have been especially hard hit," Collins said. "Senate Bill 2137 offers much-needed relief to these residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure that nursing homes are better equipped to protect their residents from social isolation in the long term."

SPRINGFIELD – Schools would be required to maintain consistent truancy policies and communicate them to parents annually under a plan from State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), which passed a Senate committee Tuesday and is set to be debated before the full Senate.

“Studies conducted in recent years have shown again and again that absences are a major barrier to educating so many of our students, and that the reasons they occur are complex,” Collins said. “The first step in addressing this has to be establishing truancy policies that are clearly communicated to families. We must be compassionate and consistent in how we approach absences.”

CHICAGO – After a year of social isolation, families could soon communicate with their loved ones in long-term care facilities through videoconferencing, social media and other technology thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) that was approved in the Senate Health Subcommittee on Long Term Care and Aging Tuesday.

“Social isolation in nursing homes can affect residents’ long-term health and well-being,” Collins said. “It’s important that long-term care residents can communicate and spend time with family to prevent social isolation, even if they can’t see their loved ones in person.”

Under Collins’ plan, the Illinois Department of Public Health would require each long-term care facility to adopt policies to provide technology to residents, as well as staff training to prevent social isolation among residents.

This technology would give long-term care residents access to the internet, videoconferencing, social media or other means of communication, providing the opportunity to talk with loved ones, attend church and engage in recreational activities safely.

Collins was inspired to sponsor the measure, an initiative of AARP, after many long-term care residents experienced severe social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic has shown us that isolation from others is challenging, but there are lots of ways to stay connected virtually,” Collins said. “In this day and age, being able to talk to a loved one in a long-term care facility should be effortless.”

Senate Bill 2137 will be heard by the Senate Health Committee.