SPRINGFIELD – With the intention of addressing the No Representation Without Population Act, State Senator Robert Peters carried a measure to ensure the master record file of the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice contains the racial background and the last known complete street address of an individual prior to their incarceration.

“The creation of the No Representation Without Population Act was a great start at ending prison gerrymandering,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Expanding on that legislation to guarantee we have the correct addresses for those impacted by the justice system will ensure its effectiveness to the fullest extent.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler is spearheading a measure to require insurance providers to cover hearing aids and related services for people of all ages.

“Illinoisans shouldn’t have to face financial burdens for something that is necessary for a high quality of life,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “Hearing aids are devices that should be covered by insurance, and not by the wallets of those who wear them.”

House Bill 2443 builds upon the 2018 measure Koehler-supported measure that required insurance to cover hearing aids for children under the age of 18. Koehler’s measure expands upon that by requiring insurers to provide coverage for everyone if their doctor prescribes a hearing instrument – which can cost up to $4,000.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a measure through the Senate Insurance Committee that would require insurance coverage for medically necessary reconstructive surgeries as a result of a traumatic experience.

“Victims shouldn’t have to be reminded of a traumatic accident when they look in a mirror,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Whether it’s a scar from domestic violence or a car accident, injuries should be covered by insurance.”

House Bill 1384 would require HMOs, Medicaid and individual and group health insurance policies to cover medically necessary reconstructive surgeries to restore a person’s physical appearance that was damaged by trauma.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is spearheading a measure to make Native American history a requirement for all public elementary and high school students.

“Native American history is American history, and it has been overlooked for far too long,” said Glowiak Hilton (D – Western Springs). “We need to give our students the opportunities to better understand the discrimination and persecution Native Americans faced throughout history.”

House Bill 1633 would require public schools to make Native American history part of curriculum. Teachings would include the study of the genocide of and discrimination against Native Americans, as well as tribal sovereignty, treaties made between tribal nations and the United States, and the circumstances around forced Native American relocation.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler is leading a measure to prorate debts of students who are recipients of scholarship programs who need to fulfil their obligations at a later time.

“There are many instances where students have to take a leave of absence or cannot complete their education when they originally planned,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “Students who are pursuing an education degree shouldn’t have to pay more if they fulfill their teaching obligations at a later time.”

SPRINGFIELD – To increase patron safety at concert venues, State Senator Karina Villa moved a bill out of the Senate Public Health Committee on Tuesday to equip music venues with overdose-reversing medications. 

“People go to a music festival or concert to enjoy themselves — one bad decision should not cost them their life,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Whether someone consumes a harmful substance on purpose or accidentally, this bill will save lives by expanding first aid in concert halls to include treating overdose.”

SPRINGFIELD – High school students may soon be required to learn about the dangers of fentanyl thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman.

“The opioid epidemic has devastated our communities, leaving behind a trail of chaos,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “The efforts to make our communities safer started with the circulation of naloxone and other lifesaving medications. Now we must expand our efforts to education.”

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, opioid overdoses in Illinois increased 33% between 2019 and 2020. The total opioid deaths in the state in 2020 was 2,944. According to the CDC, opioid use and fatalities among minors aged 14-18 increased 109% between 2020 and 2021.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci advanced a measure aimed at creating the hunger-free campus grant program.

“Student hunger is a serious issue, and it’s important that we do everything we can to support our students and ensure that they have access to healthy and nutritious food,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This legislation is an important step towards addressing this problem and creating a hunger-free campus for our students.”

The purpose of the House Bill 2528 is to address student hunger by providing funding for grants to higher education institutions that have one or more campuses designated as hunger-free campuses. The grants will be used to leverage sustainable solutions, raise awareness of existing services on campus and build strategic partnerships to address food insecurity among students. The legislation also allows each institution to establish a hunger task force to determine strategies for achieving a hunger-free campus in order to be eligible for the grant.