SPRINGFIELD – To help students make more informed choices about the loans they take out to pay for college as well as establish new accountability standards for private loan companies, Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) passed a measure through the Senate Friday.

“We have some of the best and brightest in our state, and yet many of them still struggle to navigate their student loan options,” Bennett said. “By giving students additional tools to see what their student borrowing really means, we can lessen some of the uncertainty they face after graduation.”

Bennett introduced the Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act, which requires private lenders to confirm with a potential borrower’s school that the student’s tuition, housing and other costs are not covered by other sources of financial aid. Additionally, the legislation requires colleges and universities to notify students about their federal loan eligibility before certifying private loans.

SPRINGFIELD –There are 17 pet stores in Illinois who offer installment contract loans for the purchase of a cat or dog. House Bill 572, sponsored by Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) to prohibit the use of these loans, passed the Senate Friday.

“This is predatory lending with interest rates anywhere from 30 to 150 percent and higher,” Holmes said. “Most pet stores have issues with their animals coming from unprincipled breeders and puppy mills – some in poor condition – so these consumers can end up thousands in debt and grieving as well.”

If a sales finance agency violates the Sales Finance Agency Act, their financing, contracts or loans will be null and void and they’ll have no right to collect any funds related to the loan. This measure is an initiative of the Humane Society of the United States in line with their campaign to end the sale of puppy mill pets. They are working to encourage pet stores to instead provide adoptable animals from shelters and focus on sales of pet food, toys, training aids and pet apparel.

“The financing of pets is just another way puppy mills and their sales outlets get away with selling puppies for thousands of dollars to unsuspecting consumers, many of whom end up with extremely high interest rates and hidden fees they cannot afford,” said Marc Ayers, Illinois Director for The Humane Society of the U.S. “We applaud Senator Holmes and the vast majority of Illinois lawmakers who supported this bill which helps both animals and families that are looking to acquire a new dog or cat.”

“Changing their practices can keep pet stores in business but avoid ridiculous prices and financing for what may be poorly bred animals, and this is a significant incentive for them to change,” Holmes said. “There are so many animals in shelters that need good homes, and I see this as a win for animals and their families.”

HB 572 passed in the House unanimously on April 16 and has now passed in the Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – Today, the Illinois Senate passed legislation requiring county clerks to issue new marriage certificates to reflect legal name changes. Sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), the measure was the second this session aimed at modernizing marriage license practice in Illinois.

“We’ve focused on removing gendered language on marriage certificates, but many individuals who adopt new gender identities often change their legal names in the process,” Feigenholtz said. “Simply removing the gendered language is not enough. Non-binary and transgender individuals should be able to have a marriage license that lists their correct name.”

House Bill 2590 requires county clerks in Illinois to issue new marriage certificates at the request of one of the parties involved that reflect legal name changes, provided the marriage occurred in Illinois and legal documentation of the name change is provided. The new certificate cannot contain additional markings, such as an indication of the individual’s former name.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure led by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) ensuring policies will be put in place if someone misses school due to pregnancy-related issues has passed the Senate.

“Girls should not have to miss out on their education just because they got pregnant,” Hunter said. “Whether planned or not, pregnant women deserve an access to their education.”

House Bill 3272 requires all school boards in the state to adopt written policies related to absences and missed homework or classwork assignments as a result of or related to a student's pregnancy.

SPRINGFIELD – Any person who has been convicted for a drug-related offense under state or federal law is prohibited from being eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, but State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is leading an initiative to reverse that restriction, which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Even after people serve their time, they still struggle when reentering society, as many of their rights have been taken from them,” Van Pelt. “They are released and ready to make a change—but laws like the restriction on TANF limit their ability to make a better life for themselves.”

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, passed at the federal level, prohibits anyone convicted of a drug-related felony from receiving federally-funded cash assistance through TANF or SNAP. However, states can opt out of this lifetime ban from TANF and SNAP, and 25 states have already chosen to do so.

TANF provides temporary financial assistance for pregnant women and families with one or more dependent children. TANF provides financial assistance to help pay for food, shelter, utilities and other non-medical expenses.

“People who are reentering society need help getting back on their feet,” Van Pelt said. “In fact, those who have been incarcerated may need the most assistance with food and housing to find a career and begin contributing to our communities again.”

House Bill 88 has now passed both chambers.

SPRINGFIELD – Health insurance companies use prior authorization on patients’ proposed treatments, meant to ensure they are medically necessary. However it often forces patients to wait too long for needed and appropriate treatments. House Bill 711, sponsored by Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) to ensure more timely approval, passed the Senate Friday.

“It can be stressful for people requiring medical treatment such as surgery, or supplies and services to wait on approval for medical treatment, and these delays must end,” Holmes said. “For those with chronic or life-threatening conditions, it can be an ongoing battle for however long the treatment continues.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) passed legislation out of the Illinois Senate Thursday to ensure the mental health needs of school children are met.

House Bill 576 gives students the opportunity to take days off school to focus on their mental health without facing disciplinary action. The proposal comes as suicidal thoughts and mental health struggles among teens continues to rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of suicide in young people increased 56% from 2007 to 2017. 

“Students experiencing mental health struggles need to know that they will not be disciplined for attending to their mental health.” Martwick said. “Giving students the opportunity to make up their work allows them to stay on track and not feel the pressure of falling behind.”

Under the measure, public school students would be able to take excused absence days to prioritize their mental or behavioral health.  Students who are granted an excused absence would be able to make up all work missed.

“It is important to remove barriers to students getting help when they need it,” Martwick said. “After all, mental health is every bit as important as physical health.”

HB 576 now returns to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing his dedication to improving safety and justice in Illinois communities, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) moved a measure through the Senate that would expand certain rights guaranteed to victims of violent crimes.

“Survivors of violence and their families have a right to deal with their trauma on their own time without having to risk their livelihoods,” Peters said. “If we don’t guarantee this right, then we’re allowing trauma to beget more trauma.”

The Victims Economic Security and Safety Act entitles victims and family members of victims of domestic, sexual or gender violence in Illinois to various amounts of unpaid leave from work to deal with their trauma. House Bill 3582 extends the act to include any other type of violent crime and provides protections against discriminatory acts by employers. The legislation also allows the paid leave to be taken non-consecutively or as a reduced work schedule.