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.

Provides new tools for business corridor improvements

SPRINGFIELD — A new law sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz provides a flexible financing tool for the bustling retail and hospitality district along the Magnificent Mile and across Chicago.

“The Magnificent Mile, the gateway to high-end retail from Oak Street to Wacker Drive, is poised to overcome the challenges of the pandemic and evolving consumer habits,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “This new law provides a tool to fuel its recovery.” 

Senate Bill 3679 permits property owners to petition the city to create a Business Improvement District – or BID – to collectively fund improvement projects through a self-imposed surcharge on commercial property owners. Since the law only applies to commercial properties, residential property owners are safeguarded from paying additional fees.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois residents can now receive relief from noisy highway traffic, thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Michael E. Hastings. 

“Our roads, bridges and highways generate economic development across our great state,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “However, at times this comes with noisy and uncomfortable consequences for our neighbors who live near these major roadways.”

The Hastings-led initiative will require the Illinois Department of Transportation to implement an expansion in their noise suppression program to give those who live near existing highways some relief.

Hastings championed Senate Bill 3175 in response to a number of noise complaints he was receiving from residents throughout the 19^th Senate District.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison led the effort on the passage of a new law to expand property tax relief by allowing more veterans to qualify for the Disabled Veterans’ Homestead Exemption.

“This law is one way of honoring the sacrifices veterans and their families have made,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest), who serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. “I will continue to champion the needs of this group of brave individuals.”

Under the new law, disabled veterans of World War II can receive a 100% reduction in their home’s assessed value – leading to a $0 property tax bill. Additionally, it will allow disabled veterans who receive disability compensation at 70% or more, and the surviving spouses of veterans whose deaths were service-connected, to qualify for the exemption of the first $250,000 of their home’s assessed value.