SPRINGFIELD – Starting Jan. 1, students who wish to attend an Illinois public college or university will no longer be required to submit ACT and SAT scores when applying, thanks to a law championed by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).

“Standardized test scores do not showcase a student’s ability,” Belt said. “Students struggle each year to do well on ACT and SAT tests. Removing this requirement will help test-anxious students get into college.”

SPRINGFIELD – Following a decades-long fight to protect expecting mothers, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) is proud of the advancements signed into law Tuesday that will set standards for qualifications and certifications of midwives. 

“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of safe home births, and midwives play a critical role in guaranteeing that mothers and babies are safe at all stages of pregnancy,” Villa said. “Pregnancy is a long, physically and mentally demanding process, and our mothers deserve the highest level of care that our providers can offer.”

Certified professional midwives without nursing degrees were previously not recognized as health care professionals who can assist with home births. More than 30 states recognize CPMs without additional degrees, but Illinois only recognized the professionals with advanced-practice registered nurse status. The new law ensures pregnant women have access to competent health care providers before, during and after pregnancy.

This landmark legislation creates the Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act, which contains education, training and experience requirements for midwives. These requirements allow midwives without nursing degrees to gain meaningful instruction so they can provide the best care possible to women in need of their services.

CHICAGO – A measure to lay out qualification and education requirements to allow for certified midwives in Illinois was signed into law Tuesday. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) sponsored the new law, which has been in the works for decades.

“The demand for home birth services has been on the rise, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, and this law will help ensure that mothers who opt for a home birth can have one safely,” Castro said. “While I’m proud to have carried this measure across the finish line, I applaud all the hard work of the advocates and legislators who worked on this law before me.”

Before this law, Illinois only recognized certified nurse midwives, who are advanced-practice registered nurses. Under the new Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act, people who are seeking certification as a professional midwife will have to follow set standards for the qualifications, education, training and experience, but will not be required to be a registered nurse.

SPRINGFIELD – Starting Jan. 1, grieving family members will have one less task to worry about, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood).

Loughran Cappel’s law ends early termination fees for utility customers who die before the end of a contract.

“While a family is grieving the loss of a loved one, the last thing they want to deal with is pesky utility fees,” Loughran Cappel said. “The new law will end this unfair practice and protect working families from unnecessary bills.”

This issue was raised by an Illinois resident after reading a news article highlighting a California family who was facing an early termination fee after a family member had died. New York passed a similar law.

“Enacting this new law sends a signal that Illinois is leading by taking a proactive approach to consumer protection,” Loughran Cappel said.

The legislation passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support.  The law, now Public Act 102-0112, takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.

As the new year starts, a number of new laws take effect – and many might just help your daily life.

Nearly 300 laws will officially be on the books beginning Jan. 1 – from one that gives students excused mental health days, to another that ensures pharmacies are being up front about their prices.

The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus has selected 10 new laws we think may be of interest to you. Keep reading for more.

A full list of laws that take effect Jan. 1, 2022 can be found here.

CHICAGO – Starting Jan. 1, schools will be prohibited from discriminating against natural hairstyles traditionally associated with race and ethnicity- including locs, braids, twists and afros - thanks to a law championed by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago). 

“No child should ever be singled out for sporting a hairstyle that authentically expresses their heritage and culture,” Simmons said. “These policies only serve to humiliate students of color who choose to dress themselves and wear their hair in a style that honors and respects their heritage and ancestry.”

The Jett Hawkins Act prevents school boards, local school councils, charter schools and non-private schools from creating hairstyle-based dress code requirements. Simmons, who wears his hair in freeform locs, championed the law in support of Jett Hawkins, a 4-year old boy who was sent home from school earlier this year for having braids that violated his school’s dress code.

URBANA – In an effort to meet the current demand for blood donations in Champaign and Vermilion Counties, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is partnering with ImpactLife to host community blood drives in Urbana and Danville this January.

“Blood donations continue to be essential to the health of people in our community,” Bennett said. “There is a critical need for blood donations from healthy individuals, and this weeklong event will be a safe opportunity to help strengthen our blood supply.”  

The blood drives will take place Monday, Jan. 3 through Saturday, Jan. 8 at the Urbana Donor Center, located at 1408 W. University Ave. in Urbana, and the Danville Elks Donor Center, located at 300 E. Liberty Lane in Danville. Donation hours at the Urbana location can be found here, and Danville here.

Donor centers are following recommendations from local, state and federal health agencies to keep staff, volunteers and donors safe. Appointments and masks will be required, and chairs in all areas will be at least six feet apart.

Healthy and eligible candidates can schedule an appointment to donate in Urbana or Danville at https://ilsendems.co/DanvilleBloodDrive. All presenting donors will receive their choice of a long sleeve T-shirt or a $10 gift card to a location of their choice.

For more information, Bennett urges residents to contact his Champaign office at 217-355-5252. Those with questions can also visit his website, SenatorBennett.com.

CHICAGO – Last week the White House made new commitments to combat the nation’s obtuse rates of maternal mortality, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is excited to see a plan on a national level.

Tuesday was declared a Maternal Health Day of Action, identifying ways that federal and state governments can support mothers before, during and after childbirth. One initiative includes an investment of over $3 billion from the Build Back Better Act for maternal health funding.

“This is an issue near and dear to my heart, as Black women die at disproportionate rates due to pregnancy related causes,” Van Pelt said. “No one should die while giving life to another, and while I’ve been working to end this in our state, I’m glad to see it being addressed nationally.”

Van Pelt sponsored Public Act 102-0414, a measure to expand birthing center licenses in Illinois, which was signed into law in August. This initiative expands the available licenses for birthing centers from 10 to 17, providing that birth center alternative health care models shall be located in the West Side of Chicago, the South Side of Chicago and East St. Louis.

The White House is encouraging states to expand postpartum coverage, as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is releasing new guidance on postpartum care and create a proposal for the establishment of a “Birthing-Friendly” hospital designation.  

“We must ensure not only that maternal related deaths are prevented, but also that mothers stay mentally and physically healthy after giving birth to their child,” Van Pelt said. “I am happy that the White House is committed to reducing complications around pregnancies and childbirth, and I know countless lives will be saved because of these measures.”

Illinois was the first state in the nation to extend coverage to ensure low-income mothers receive the support they need in the critical months following birth, and now the White House is encouraging the rest of the nation to do the same.