SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris III advanced a measure to require insurance companies to cover medically necessary peripheral artery disease screenings for people at risk.

"As we continue to address the root causes of health disparities, this measure is an important move toward ensuring those at highest risk for PAD have access to life-saving care," said Harris (D-Harvey). “Better access to screening will ensure we can detect this dangerous condition earlier and prevent life-changing consequences like amputations.”

Peripheral artery disease is a serious condition where the arteries outside the heart and brain become narrowed or blocked, restricting blood flow to the limbs, most often the legs. Studies have shown that African Americans are disproportionately affected by PAD, with nearly one in three Black adults developing the condition, compared to approximately one in five Hispanic or white adults.

SPRINGFIELD – With other states reporting influxes in drivers concealing or switching their license plates to avoid legal repercussions, State Senator Steve Stadelman is working to ensure Illinois law explicitly bans license plate flippers.

“Devices like flippers allow drivers to evade tolls and law enforcement, creating unfair and unsafe road conditions for everyone,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This measure reinforces the importance of accountability on our roads by making it clear these devices are illegal.”

Senate Bill 1883 builds on current law, clarifying that the use of tape or flippers on any registration plate and any other evidence of registration issued by the Illinois Secretary of State is illegal. A license plate flipper is a device that allows drivers – with the push of a button – to obscure their license plates, often used to avoid identification when committing traffic violations. Illinois would join the expanding number of states in outlawing license plate flippers.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Willie Preston advanced legislation to require health insurance companies to provide coverage for speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering.

“In Illinois, we are committed to accessible and affordable health care,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “This legislation removes financial barriers for those seeking speech therapy services. It gives them the opportunity to access necessary services, financial relief, encouragement, and support.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would increase access to non-opioid prescription medication to address the often-fatal addictiveness of prescription opioids.

“Prescription opioid medications are highly addictive, leading to countless deaths during the opioid epidemic, which our communities are still facing today,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “By expanding access to non-opioid alternatives, individuals will still be able to receive the care they need while reducing their risk of developing a serious addiction.”

SPRINGFIELD – Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease may become more accessible thanks to a new proposal from State Senator Laura Murphy.

“Early and consistent access to Alzheimer’s treatment can make a real difference for patients and their families,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “No one should be denied care that could slow the disease’s progression.”

The measure would require group or individual health insurance plans to cover all medically necessary FDA-approved treatments or medications to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Many available treatments are only effective in the early stages of the disease.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons passed a bill through committee on Tuesday that would allow bicyclists to perform an Idaho Stop and safely move through intersections.

“Current rules of the road prevent cyclists from being able to safely react to traffic in an intersection,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This bill grants riders the ability to make the safest decision possible when approaching a stop sign.”

Under the new legislation, Senate Bill 2111, anyone operating a bicycle on the roadways of Illinois would have the ability to perform an Idaho stop.

SPRINGFIELD —To better address the growing issue of contraband in prisons, State Senator Graciela Guzmán passed a measure through committee to collect and publicize data on contraband found in each Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) facility, including how it entered the facility and how those possessing it were punished.

“For the safety of people who are incarcerated as well as staff who have a duty to intervene in these situations, we need to do more to prevent contraband from moving into prisons,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “However, our methods to prevent contraband need to be rooted in facts and data. This new initiative will help us get a better understanding of where contraband is coming from before imposing new regulations that are not based on evidence—methods that further isolate and dehumanize people who are incarcerated.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman introduced a measure to protect students, teachers and staff from radon exposure by requiring routine testing for all Illinois public schools.

“This legislation builds on previous protections to safeguard Illinoisans from life-threating radon exposure by reinforcing safety practices for some of our most vulnerable populations – our students,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Establishing regular radon testing in public schools is necessary to mitigate the onset of harmful health complications like lung cancer, with over 21,000 radon-related lung cancer deaths reported in the nation each year.”