SPRINGFIELD – Insurance companies will no longer be able to solicit nursing home residents under a new law championed by State Senator Doris Turner.

“Local nursing home residents had reached out saying they were being solicited to buy new insurance policies or change their current plans,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We can’t let seniors be the target of deceptive practices by insurance companies.”

House Bill 1865 makes it illegal to solicit a resident of a nursing home or long-term care facility, or someone over the age of 65 to purchase accident and health insurance unless the insurance company waits 48 hours before making any insurance-related changes and the individual is given the ability to opt out.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s effort to protect rural auctioneers was signed into law Friday.

“We are working to protect local and rural auctioneers from unregulated online auctions and give bidders peace of mind when they make their transactions,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Illinois must guarantee that all auction services are carried out by credible, licensed auction professionals. This law will protect our local auctioneers and give bidders peace of mind when they make their transactions.”

Illinois law previously allowed for non-licensed entities and individuals to conduct auctions for estate sales and online auctions. Halpin’s new law will ensure a licensed auctioneer is involved in any online auctions, estate sales, and estate services.

"Thank you to Senator Mike Halpin, Representative Dan Swanson and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association in addressing this need for further regulation and legislation to serve the people of Illinois,” said, Executive Director of the Illinois State Auctioneers Association Cissy Tambor. 

Senate Bill 2351 was signed into law Friday and will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure bikes are properly defined in Illinois, State Senator Mike Simmons’ new law aligns the definition of bicycles in Illinois.

“As an avid bike rider myself, I know how many people use our pathways every day for work, exercise, and enjoyment,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “When someone rides their bike in our communities, they can now be confident of their safety and legality.”

Simmons’ passed into law Senate Bill 2285, which expands the definition of bicycles to include low-speed electric bikes alongside any human-powered device, which will allow for expanded complete streets planning for all using bikes.

“This is a simple fix to the rules that will allow for more people to bike together and bike safely,” said Simmons.

Senate Bill 2285 was signed into law on Friday.

SPRINGFIELD — Saving for retirement will become easier and more flexible for thousands of Illinois workers, thanks to a new law from State Senator Robert Peters that expands access to portable, customizable savings options. 

“Our residents deserve retirement savings options that offer them greater flexibility and control while still prioritizing their financial security,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This law does just that – empowering people to tailor their financial planning, addressing financial vulnerability and promoting equity in retirement savings.”

In 2015, the state created the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program to address the growing gap in retirement savings for Illinois workers. Nearly 40% of private sector workers in Illinois do not have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, leaving many with no way to save for the future. Since its inception, the program has helped over 150,000 participants save more than $200 million for retirement, with more than 25,000 employers offering the program to their workers. 

SPRINGFIELD – To support mothers trying to balance work life and home life, State Senator Laura Fine’s legislation to allow for paid break time for pumping breast milk has been signed into law. This law ensures working mothers who nurse their infants do not have to be concerned about losing income in order to provide for their baby.

“Without workplace accommodations that consider the time required to breastfeed a newborn or infant, the burden of balancing work responsibilities and personal responsibilities becomes increasingly challenging,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “We are not only encouraging a supportive work environment for these employees, we are also empowering Illinois mothers who must work to support their families.”

Fine’s new law clarifies that employees’ time for pumping breastmilk has to be paid and that employees would not be required to use paid leave during breaks.

SPRINGFIELD — Despite the decade that’s passed since marriage equality became the law of the land in all 50 U.S. states, the LGBTQ+ community still faces persistent discrimination in housing and barriers to homeownership. Recognizing the need for change, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz championed legislation that updates Illinois’ property laws with gender-neutral language.

“For years we have methodically chipped away at outdated, stereotyped and outright exclusionary language in our state’s laws,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Today we take another step to strengthen our property laws — sending the message that no matter who you love, your gender identity or expression, you are welcome to build your home, family and life here in Illinois.”

Currently, Illinois law only references property transfers between a husband and wife, leading to lengthy delays in real estate transactions for same-sex couples and transgender individuals. Feigenholtz’s new law addresses this barrier by revising state law to refer to married couples with gender-neutral language, giving clarity to title companies and ensuring same-sex couples do not face barriers to acquiring or transferring property.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure all youth in foster care have a pathway toward independence, State Senator Lakesia Collins’ new law will establish a lifelong process of ensuring that youth in care are provided the opportunities to succeed.

“As someone who has been a foster child and experienced the hardships that come with that, we have to create pathways for children to succeed,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This bill requires DCFS to come up with a plan that provides learning opportunities and growth to foster care children and requires them to come up with a plan to push them on the path to independence.”

Senate Bill 1504 makes changes to the Children and Family Services Act to require the preparation of adolescents to successfully transition to adulthood.

SPRINGFIELD — To help Illinois and Chicago collaborate more effectively on key pedestrian safety initiatives, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz championed a plan laying out guidelines for what they must study to make streets safer.

“These guidelines will streamline cooperation, cut red tape and help the Illinois Department of Transportation take concrete steps to study ways we can prevent further tragedies,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Enhanced collaboration will give us a clearer picture of how best to improve street safety in our city and across Illinois.”

In January 2023, IDOT and the Chicago Department of Transportation entered into a Memorandum of Understanding agreement in an effort to strengthen their collaboration and streamline the review process for safety improvements on local streets and state routes. The MOU was in part sparked by a request from Feigenholtz that the departments conduct a traffic study after a pedestrian was killed in the 6th Senate District.