SPRINGFIELD – Continuing her fierce dedication toward those who serve in the military, a new law sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) will provide in-state tuition rates to all active duty military and all individuals receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“One of the fundamental duties of our society is to provide for the people who risked everything to serve and defend it,” Castro said. “I think this bill does just that. By offering in-state tuition rates to current and former members of the military, we’re giving them the ability to receive a quality education at one of Illinois several outstanding public universities at a reduced cost.”

Senate Bill 1907 provides that if an individual is an active duty member of the United States military or is receiving veterans’ education benefits from the VA, they count as a resident of Illinois for the purpose of determining tuition. The bill was an initiative of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

PLAINFIELD –There will now be higher criminal penalties for felonious scams that target the elderly and disabled, thanks to State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.

Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) passed Senate Bill 69, which would institute tougher penalties on Class 2 felony offenses against an elderly person or a person with a disability. It was signed into law last week.

“There are scammers preying on our seniors,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “To discourage this awful epidemic, we must put regulations in place to protect the financial well-being of Illinois’ seniors and people with disabilities.”

This new law expands the Class 2 felony offense of theft by deception over $5,000 to include offenses committed against a person with a disability.

It also clarifies that consent cannot be used as a defense in a case of financial exploitation of an elderly person or person with a disability if the accused knew or should have known that the victim lacked the ability to consent.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – Minors across Illinois will soon have easy access to EpiPens, thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton.

Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) advocated for House Bill 3435, which requires certain insurers to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors for minors – the fast-acting treatments for severe allergic reactions.

“It’s our duty to take the necessary steps to ensure this life saving drug is affordable and easily accessible to children in Illinois,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Children with serious allergies should not have to go without a vital epinephrine injector simply because they cannot afford one.”

Epinephrine injectors – commonly known by the specific brand name EpiPen – deliver the life-saving drug epinephrine to individuals experiencing a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine works by narrowing blood vessels and opening lung airways, reversing the symptoms of a potentially fatal allergic reaction.

SPRINGFIELD – Unions would have a greater say in issues that affect the wellbeing of workers thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker Friday.

House Bill 2301 would require state regulatory boards impacting workers in Illinois to include a representative from a recognized labor organization. These board impact the Department of Employment Security, Department of Natural Resources and the Workers' Compensation Commission.

The boards and panels under these state agencies handle issues that directly impact the lives of Illinois workers, such as workers compensation benefits and workplace safety regulations.

“These groups make many of the difficult decisions that can significantly impact the physical and financial well-being of working men and women and their families in our state and it’s only fair that they get an appropriate say in those matters,” Manar said.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure that imposes stricter penalties on distracted drivers who cause a fatal accident and flee the scene without reporting it championed by State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) was signed into law last week.

“Fleeing the scene of an accident is irresponsible, potentially fatal for an injured person at the scene and can slow down the efforts of investigators. We have to discourage it,” Crowe said.

Crowe’s measure adds an aggravating factor to sentencing considerations for those who cause an accident by being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or distracted by an electronic communication device and then flee the scene.

Senator Crowe and the Madison County’s State’s Attorney’s Office partnered up to shape this legislation to ensure justice for victims and their loved ones.

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Muñoz (D-Chicago) led legislation that was signed into law on Friday in response to an oversight by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that left McKinley Park residents blindsided by the construction of an asphalt plant in their neighborhood.

“The public has every right to know when a facility that may affect their health is moving into their community,” Muñoz said. “There is no reason why McKinley Park residents weren’t given ample notice regarding the asphalt plant, and we don’t want to see another community put in the same situation.”

Last year, McKinley Park residents received only a two week notice before construction on an asphalt plant began. Muñoz held a town hall in July to discuss the issue with the community resulting in the new law.

Senate Bill 1847 requires the IEPA to provide notice when a permit is required to construct a new facility to the state senator and state representative of the district where the construction is to occur and post the information on its website, searchable by ZIP code.

SPRINGFIELD – To help inmates transition out of prison, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) sponsored legislation to require the Department of Corrections (DOC) to screen inmates for Medicaid eligibility before being released, which was recently signed into law.

At this time, the Unified Code of Corrections requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to give inmates the opportunity to apply for Medicaid at least 45 days before they are discharged and requires DOC to assist them in filling out their application.

“Assisting inmates with Medicaid screening will help reduce the chronic disease rate, which is a major cause of death and disability in Illinois,” Belt said. “We are trying to help inmates from recidivating and one of the best ways to do that is do ensure medical treatment is available upon discharge. This is of utmost importance as it will give them the chance to maintain their health when reintegrated into society.”

PLAINFIELD – Illinois seniors may soon be better able to cover the cost of hearing aids, due to a new law championed by State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood).

Bertino-Tarrant’s measure, House Bill 3503, requires insurance companies to offer optional coverage for hearing instruments and any related services for all individuals when they are prescribed by a hearing care professional. It was signed into law on Friday.

“There have been recent studies that have shown important links between hearing loss and feelings of depression or isolation.” Bertino-Tarrant said. “However, hearing aids are often a burdensome expense to seniors who are on a limited income to begin with. The goal of this legislation is to ensure this medically necessary equipment is financially accessible to Illinois residents.”

According to Health Affairs, more than 26 million adults aged 50 years and older with hearing loss reside in the US. Lack of hearing aid uptake is a public health concern because untreated age-related hearing loss, with its accompanied reductions in speech understanding, is associated with increased risk of social isolation, falls, hospitalizations, and cognitive decline.