SPRINGFIELD – Financial responsibilities weigh heavy on families in the foster care system and to stop the disproportionate impact, State Senator Lakesia Collins’ new law will include family circumstances as part of the determination process when evaluating parents’ ability to pay for the cost of foster care.

“Many parents are held responsible for more than they can afford to pay within the foster care system, and this can delay any reunification efforts for the child,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Our focus should be on reunifying families, and with this law we will ensure families are not overloaded with financial responsibilities and give their best effort to take care of the child.”

CHICAGO – Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus joined Governor JB Pritzker to sign the Birth Equity Initiative into law. The new law will assist mothers and soon-to-be-mothers with receiving community-based health care options and resources.

“As a Black woman with three boys, this legislation is personal to me. The increasing rates of infant and maternal mortality, particularly among Black women, demand urgent action,” said State Senator Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago). “This law is not just about health care — it's about justice, equality and the right of every mother and child to have access to the safest and most effective care, ultimately reducing mortality rates and ensuring healthier futures for Illinois families.”

Under the new law, private insurers will be required to cover all pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by perinatal doulas or licensed certified professional midwives, including home births, home visits and support during labor. Insurance companies will need to cover home visits by board-certified lactation consultants, including the cost of recommended breast pumps, breastfeeding supplies and feeding aids.

CHICAGO – State Senator Lakesia Collins has secured $3.4 million for construction of the first African American-led data center development in Illinois. Located in the Illinois Medical District, the IMD1 data center project will help secure Illinois’ data locally and will create opportunities for local youth to learn about technology and computing.

“The IMD1 project will bring so many opportunities to our community here in the 5^th District,” Collins (D-Chicago) said. “With this grant funding we can keep Illinois technology data within our state, instead of sending it off to another state or another country, and gain millions in tax revenue that can go back to support the Black and Brown neighborhoods, businesses and youth.”

Groundbreaking for the project is expected by early next year. The project includes a five-story, 184,700-square-foot data center that will be built on a two-acre site at 14th and Damen in Chicago, located in the Illinois Medical District. The first phase of work will include LEED-certified engineering plans, electrical upgrades and equipment purchases, and sewer and site improvements. The project also includes scholarships and training programs for local youth to participate in technology and earn future employment at data centers. Funding for the project is included in the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 Rebuild Illinois capital plan.

SPRINGFIELD—As disparities in maternal mortality rates continue to alarm health care professionals and soon-to-be mothers across the state, State Senator Lakesia Collins passed a measure to expand coverage for pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by doulas and midwives.

“Why should mothers have to make the decision between paying their rent, mortgage or car loan, and making sure they and their baby are healthy?” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Women should not have their health decisions limited by whether or not they can afford care. This initiative will impact many women in the state by eliminating the cost-sharing requirements for this care, and end up saving lives.”

SPRINGFIELD – Leading the charge to address disparities in maternal mortality rates in Illinois, State Senator Lakesia Collins is spearheading a measure to expand coverage for pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by doulas and midwives.

“As a mom, I know how necessary pregnancy and midwife services are and how vital it is to lower the maternal mortality rate by ensuring mothers and newborns have the best health care and supports possible,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Black women face some of the highest mortality rates during and after pregnancy, and with this legislation, we will begin to close gaps in coverage and increase safety and care for all newborns and mothers in Illinois.”

Under Collins’ legislation, private insurers would be required to cover all pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by perinatal doulas or licensed certified professional midwives, including home births, home visits and support during labor. Insurance companies would need to cover home visits by board-certified lactation consultants, including the cost of recommended breast pumps, breastfeeding supplies and feeding aids.

SPRINGFIELD – After a Chicago resident was unable to obtain records regarding a deceased relative from the state, State Senator Lakesia Collins pushed forward legislation that would help individuals access their deceased families’ records.

“If someone needs to obtain records about their relative, we need systems in place to allow for the transfer of that information,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “With this legislation we are creating a clear pathway for people trying to secure the information of their deceased to make the process easier.”

Senate Bill 2715 would require the Illinois Department on Aging to establish procedures for the disclosure of program records by the Long Term Care Ombudsman.

CHICAGO—State Senator Lakeisha Collins is proud that tastytrade, an online brokerage company, is not only expanding their headquarters in her district, but also donating $600,000 to the Greenwood Project, a non-profit organization giving underserved college students the tools to start financial careers.

“With the expansion of tastytrade in the Fulton Market community, Chicago residents will see new opportunities to continue their careers and lives in Illinois,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Alongside their expansion is an exciting investment in the Greenwood Project, an excellent organization connecting students with opportunities that put them on a path toward meaningful and sustainable careers. I am excited to see these investments in our communities and look forward to the new job opportunities available to Illinois residents.”

Tastytrade was founded and created in Chicago, and was later sold. While the company is no longer a startup, its leadership frequently calls back to its roots by investing back into the Chicago community and offering opportunities to hopeful financial experts in the area. The new office space in Fulton Market covers 35,000 square feet and includes a live broadcast studio for production of financial market content.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Lakesia Collins is pushing for a measure known as Liam’s Law to provide better bereavement support measures to parents experiencing perinatal and infant loss.

“This legislation is a continuation of our efforts to provide more options to families when perinatal loss occurs,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Requiring hospitals to notify parents of their rights is the least they can do during such painful circumstances.”