SPRINGFIELD – Across Illinois, tens of thousands of people found to be in possession of a weapon unlawfully are charged with crimes like unlawful use of a weapon or labeled armed habitual criminals – despite the fact that more than half of these individuals have never been convicted of a crime of violence. That’s why State Senator Javier Cervantes is moving legislation to retitle these charges to more accurately reflect the nature of the crimes. 

“This directly affects minority communities around the state, and by changing the name of these offenses, we can more accurately assess the crimes committed,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Most people reading a criminal history would assume that unlawful use of a weapon indicates far more dangerous activity than in reality, but making this change can provide clarity and ensure those assumptions don’t prevent people from accessing services later in life.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois military families may soon have an easier time finding childcare, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

“Our brave military personnel work tirelessly to keep our communities safe and it is imperative that they know their children are well taken care of at home,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Removing red tape and streamlining the licensure process for our nation’s heroes will help speed up the licensure process for daycare homes serving these brave families.”

Hastings passed House Bill 5596, which would create an exemption from licensure for daycare homes and group daycare homes serving children of military personnel if the daycare is located on a military base or federal property and is certified as a child development program by a brand of the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S Coast Guard.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford championed a measure to require high school students to learn financial literacy.

“When young people leave high school, they are given the freedom to spend and manage their money how they see fit with little or no guidance beyond what they’ve witnessed at home,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “By requiring financial literacy instruction, we are equipping our young people with the ability to do things like manage a household budget, save for a home or be aware of financial fraud schemes. These are important life skills that every person can utilize.”

Under Lightford’s measure, high school students would be required to learn about financial literacy. The instruction would focus on basic economics, the principles of supply and demand, how to budget income responsibly, loan repayment, and the cost of high-interest short-term “payday” loans.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a measure through the Senate Licensed Activities Committee Wednesday that addresses background check delays at childcare facilities across the state.

“I continue to hear about delays with the state’s licensing process,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “As we face a shortage of qualified early education teachers, we have to take the necessary steps to speed up the process.”

House Bill 4412 would allow a childcare facility, non-licensed service provider, day care center, or home-based day cares to use a third-party vendor licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for the required fingerprinting that is part of the application process for facility licensure and as a condition of employment.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect renters from additional payment transaction fees, State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced legislation through the Senate that would require landlords to be more flexible with payment options.

“By requiring landlords to also accept cash or check, we help save Illinoisans from unnecessary transaction fees on their rental payments,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Some leases require 2-3% of rent to cover processing fees which adds a lot to an already high rent, so it is vital we ensure that we save residents money in any capacity we can.”

House Bill 4206 would require landlords to allow tenants to make rental payments by delivering a paper check or cash to the landlord or their business office if the landlord uses a third-party payment portal to collect rent and has a transactional fee or other charge imposed through the portal on the rental payments.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase transparency in health care plans and enhance consumer protections, State Senator Laura Fine advanced legislation that would clarify when an individual is able to challenge an insurance company’s decision to deny a claim.

“Those seeking necessary medical treatments, including those who already received a service, may be surprised when their health insurance refuses to pay for it,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Current standards for reviewing health care services and procedures may inaccurately and unfairly penalize patients, which can delay access to essential services.”

Health insurance providers may deny coverage or refuse to pay for a service, which is known as an adverse benefit determination. However, consumers are able to request an external review of this denial to evaluate its appropriateness. House Bill 2472 would clarify when a consumer can appeal a denial of benefits or request an external review.

“This legislation outlines a path to ensure consumers have access to affordable healthcare,” said Fine.

House Bill 2472 passed the Senate on Wednesday and heads to the Governor’s desk.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson is leading a measure to ensure students have the housing and resources they need to succeed.

“When students don’t have adequate shelter and transportation, it affects their learning ability,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “Expanding the Education of Homeless Child and Youth State Grant Program will allow schools to better serve the individual and differing needs of their unhoused student populations.”

House Bill 5407 would expand the uses for funds received by school districts from the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program. If enacted, school districts would be permitted to use grant funding for rental assistance, transportation, emergency shelter assistance, case management services, and other housing strategies. The Illinois State Board of Education reported 58,498 students experienced homelessness during the 2022-2023 school year.

SPRINGFIELD – To address extended warranty fraud, State Senator Laura Murphy advanced a measure that would enable vehicle dealers to file suit against scammers that use their intellectual property to deceive consumers.

“Consumers deserve transparency and honesty, but aftermarket sellers often engage in deceitful practices to push unnecessary and overpriced plans,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “Through this legislation, we are laying out a way for automobile dealers whose likeness is used to deceive consumers to try to mend their damaged reputations.”

Extended warranty scams have become common in recent years. Frequently, fraudulent letters are marketed to look like they come from an official or authorized source, rather than an aftermarket extended services plan.