Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – Under a new law from State Senator Adriane Johnson, individuals with prior felony convictions may apply to become a notary public.

“Notaries play an important role in protecting the integrity of legal and financial documents, helping prevent fraud and ensure trust in everyday transactions,” Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Giving former felons who have demonstrated rehabilitation the chance to become notaries recognizes that accountability and redemption go hand in hand.”

SPRINGFIELD — A new law championed by State Senator Willie Preston will expand insurance and Medicaid coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy for stuttering, helping more Illinois children and young adults access critical treatment and support services.

“Too many young people who stutter face barriers to getting the care they need,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “This law helps remove those barriers and ensures more families can access critical treatment and support services.”

SPRINGFIELD – To address the pervasive issue of medical debt and support underinsured and uninsured patients, a new law led by State Senator Omar Aquino will streamline the application process for hospital financial assistance.

“While families navigate health issues, they should not have to endure the added stress of undergoing a confusing financial assistance application process,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “With federal cuts to Medicaid threatening the health care of millions, financial concerns will only worsen, forcing more people to forgo care and leading to more expensive medical costs down the road.”

House Bill 5390 tasks the Attorney General with creating a standard form for hospitals to include in applications for financial assistance. The law also establishes a one-year approval period to address current administrative burdens.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill to protect those burdened by health care debt from having a lien placed on their home during a health care debt collection has been signed into law.

“No one should have to fear losing their home because they got sick,” said Guzmán. “For too long, hospitals have been allowed to use medical debt to threaten the stability of working families. Illinois should never allow that debt to become a tool for taking away someone’s home. Today we put an end to one of the most harmful debt collection practices in our state.”

SPRINGFIELD – Digital coupons have become more common; however, not all consumers can easily access them. State Senator Laura Ellman is combatting this with a new law that will ensure eligible consumers receive the benefits of digital promotions when they meet the stated terms.

“People shouldn’t miss out on savings because a promotion isn’t accessible,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “If it’s offered, it should be usable to all, especially when a digital coupon can make a difference when buying in bulk with increasing grocery prices.”

According to the Pew Research Center, nearly one in four adults over 65 say they need help using digital technology, highlighting ongoing barriers to app-based only promotions. As retail continues to evolve, Ellman’s law will make everyday transactions more accessible.

DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison spearheaded a new law that streamlines dental coverage reimbursement for dental care providers.

“Navigating insurance and reimbursement policies can be difficult, creating barriers to access to timely dental care for Illinoisans,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Clarifying which forms of payment a provider can accept and how they can opt in to that payment system will streamline dental services and treatments for both the patient and provider.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler’s House Bill 4420, which enhances editorial independence and makes changes to the College Campus Press Act to include professional journalist on campus has become law.

“The freedom to investigate a story is how journalism thrives and real reform happens,” Said Koehler (D-Peoria) “Denying editorial independence to our aspiring journalists and professional journalists on campus is denying our communities honest stories about the real events taking place on and off campus.”

This law modifies the College Campus Press Act to define public media produced at a state-supported institution of higher learning. The measure states that public media and professional journalists at these institutions would not be subject to prior review by the institution's public officials, and expression by employees or agents producing the media would not be considered speech attributable to the institution itself.

SPRINGFIELD – In Feb. 2025, a whistleblower came forward sharing pictures and describing a gruesome scene at Crown Cremations and Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights ─ prompting an investigation from the Office of the Comptroller that discovered the crematorium improperly stored over 100 bodies.  In response, State Senator Patrick Joyce worked to expand the comptroller’s ability to investigate crematory’s operations.

“By bringing together both the comptroller’s office and the funeral industry, we were able to craft legislation that allows crematoriums to operate successfully and ethically,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “When you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, the last thing you should have to worry about is how their remains are treated.”

House Bill 4695 will expand the comptroller's ability to investigate a licensed crematory, its records or any other aspects of crematory operation the comptroller deems appropriate. It will permit the comptroller to perform an unannounced inspection of the premises. As part of its investigations, if the comptroller finds any violation or wrongdoing under the grounds for dismissal that constitute an imminent danger to the public, the comptroller will be able to suspend the crematory’s license. The law will also implement additional penalties for violations.