SPRINGFIELD – Consumers will now have protection against adverse medical debt reporting, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Steve Stadelman.

“We have taken a crucial step to protect our residents from the undue hardships caused by medical debt,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This is a positive step toward ensuring no one will have to suffer the long-term financial consequences of medical emergencies that are beyond their control. This law is about fairness and compassion, and it reflects our commitment to standing up for the rights of others.”

The law aims to address the growing concern over the impact of medical debt on consumers’ credit scores. Medical debt, often incurred through no fault of the consumer, has been a leading cause of financial distress, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations and hindering their access to credit and essential services.

SPRINGFIELD – Career and technical education teachers will now be granted tenure under a new law sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

“I’ve been a strong advocate for CTE, which gives students the opportunity to receive a hands-on academic experience,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “With the ongoing teacher shortage, we need to ensure CTE teachers receive the benefits they are entitled to and deserve.”

Senate Bill 463 allows CTE teachers to be granted tenure if they have a license with credentials. Loughran Cappel’s law aims to expand tenure eligibility from only educators with a Professional Educator License to include CTE teachers.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Mary Edly-Allen passed a law to remove the requirement that all reports of child abuse and neglect made by mandatory reporters must be confirmed by Child Protective Service Unit.

“By streamlining and clarifying how abuse is reported, we are taking a step toward making the reporting process more efficient and thorough,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This legislation will ensure that concise and accurate reporting is the standard in Illinois as our future generations deserve nothing less.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is alleviating financial burdens on organizations that help vulnerable populations to ensure access to essential nutrition services by exempting home-delivered meals from sales tax for Medicare and Medicaid recipients.

"For many Medicare and Medicaid recipients, home-delivered meals are a lifeline – providing essential nutrition and support," said Sims (D-Chicago). "However, the added burden of sales tax can create financial strain for those already facing economic challenges. This law removes this barrier to access, ensuring that vulnerable individuals can receive the nourishment they need without additional financial burden."

Under Senate Bill 3476, home-delivered meals – like from Meals on Wheels – provided to Medicare and Medicaid recipients will be exempt from sales tax when payment is made by an intermediary, such as a Medicare Administrative Contractor, a Managed Care Organization, or a Medicare Advantage Organization, pursuant to government contract.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine will put protections in place to ensure the welfare of adults who are unable to care for themselves. 

“In the event an adult is facing difficulties with self-care, it is vital for them to be connected to appropriate services,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Adult patients experiencing cases of self-neglect will now have the assistance they need in order to maintain their physical health and safety.”

This law establishes a screening procedure for cases of self-neglect among adult patients under the Adult Protective Services intervention program. If a patient is found to be a substantial health threat to themselves due to self-neglect, a provider agency must develop a case plan within 10 days and with the consent of the adult.

SPRINGFIELD – To help ease the financial strain experienced by people with diabetes, State Senator Julie Morrison sponsored a new law to expand insurance coverage for medically necessary glucose monitors and related supplies.

“High costs that come with managing diabetes can put an unnecessary economic burden on families,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This law will ensure people with any type of diabetes receive crucial medical care.”

Senate Bill 3414 will require insurance companies to cover glucose monitors, related supplies, and training in the use of glucose monitors for individuals diagnosed with any form of diabetes. Those obtaining a prior authorization for a CGM prescription will have cost-sharing waived on a one-month’s supply of CGMs and a transmitter, if needed.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons’ measure to make rail travel safer for residents in response to the 2023 Chicago Transit Authority Yellow Line crash in his district was signed into law on Monday.

“This legislation is in direct response to the horrific CTA Yellow Line collision last fall,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “So many people rely on public transportation, and as a lifelong user of Chicago public transit, I know how important it is to make sure our transit systems are held accountable to provide the most safe riding conditions possible. This law will prevent tragedies from happening through accountability required of our transit organizations.”

Simmons spearheaded the law in response to a driver of a CTA Yellow Line train colliding with a snowplow on Nov. 16, 2023 in Rogers Park. When the operator saw the machine, they hit the brakes and the emergency brakes, but the train didn't stop in time, hitting the snowplow at 27 mph. According to National Transportation Safety Board reports, there was a design flaw in the Yellow Line braking system.

SPRINGFIELD – Funding for special education students will be more equitable under a new law sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel that creates a fair reimbursement rate for special education day schools.

“Since joining the General Assembly, I have worked to ensure all special education students receive a quality education in the least restrictive environment,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “With this law, all special education day schools will see equitable funding opportunities, no matter the student’s placement.”

Senate Bill 3606 equalizes the reimbursement rate received by public school districts from the Illinois State Board of Education when sending high-needs special education students to private and public special education day schools.