CHAMPAIGN – To improve transparency around prescription drug costs, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) reintroduced a measure requiring pharmacies to post a notice informing consumers that a consumer may request current pharmacy retail prices at the point of sale.

“Retail prices at pharmacies generally bear no relationship to the actual market prices of the medications,” Bennett said. “Patients deserve to know the ‘real’ price of the medication they intend to purchase so they can make an informed decision about where they buy their prescriptions.”

SPRINGFIELD – People who have lived in an apartment might have noticed they typically only have one option to dispose of their waste: a large trash can. To give tenants a more sustainable way to get rid of garbage, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is leading the charge to require recycling options at apartment complexes.

“We all know recycling is the right thing to do, but not everyone has readily available access to it,” Bush said. “The best way to be environmentally friendly and reduce waste is to make recycling more accessible.”

Any apartment building with more than four units would be required to offer a recycling service and the building owner would have to provide tenants with recycling bins if Senate Bill 1676 becomes law.

SPRINGFIELD – In order to increase employment opportunities for women, minorities and people with disabilities, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is sponsoring a measure to change the job interview process at state agencies.

“It’s essential for agencies to have diversity in mind when they interview job applicants,” Belt said. “People tend to hire applicants that look like them, which means interview panels that lack diversity can be less likely to produce a diverse workplace.”

SPRINGFIELD – A no-contact order typically instructs a defendant not to have any in-person contact with a victim. However, unless a measure led by Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) becomes law, they could still hound their accuser via text message, email or social media.

“When a person pursues a no-contact order against someone, there is nothing stopping the perpetrator from sending threatening texts or leaving harassing voicemails,” Bush said. “In the age of technology and online dating, far too many people have experienced unwarranted communications after drawing the line.”

Electronic contact – which includes texting, emailing and calling – would be considered a violation of a person’s stalking no-contact order under Bush’s proposal. If a person were to break the order, they would face the same repercussions as they would for in-person contact.

Under current law, electronic contact is not considered means of correspondence. Without the clarification found within Senate Bill 1677, a stalker could contact someone virtually and harass them without facing consequences. 

“Once a no-contact order is in place, no one should have to worry about hearing from their abuser,” Bush said. “As technology evolves, so too must the measures we take to help people feel safe.”  

The measure passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee Tuesday and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Martwick legislation creating mental health database for first responders passes committee

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) is sponsoring legislation that would require the Department of Human Services to create a mental health database for first responders, with the goal of connecting men and women in these high-stress occupations with resources to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as to prevent violence and suicide.

“First responders are subjected to many stressful interactions on a day to day basis,” Martwick said. “This database would help many who may be struggling but don’t know where to look for help.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, first responders experience mental illness at a higher rate than the general population, with 30% of first responders suffering from conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, compared to 20% of the population at large. In addition, firefighters reported higher attempts and ideation of suicide, and nationally, between 125 and 300 police officers commit suicide each year.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner’s (D-Springfield) plan to add agricultural sciences as a type of course that may be counted towards the requirement for three years of sciences in order to gain admission to an Illinois public university passed the Senate Higher Education Committee Tuesday.

“The study of agriculture is vitally important, and our curricula should reflect that,” said Senator Turner. “The current exclusion as an option for a science course for admission is a huge disservice to students who plan to one day study and/or work in the field.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure to curb the price of dental care by expanding Medicaid coverage for people with autism and developmental disabilities sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is on its way to be considered by the full Senate. 

“Healthy teeth can help lead to better overall physical health,” Morrison said. “However, not everyone can endure the stressors of the dentist. We must ensure everyone – including people with autism or other developmental disabilities – can receive the care they need.”

Senate Bill 346 addresses dental care services that are either not covered or under-reimbursed by Medicaid. The measure, which is similar to two bills Morrison filed last year before the pandemic, expands coverage of dental care and anesthesia for people with autism or a developmental disability, making those individuals more comfortable when visiting the dentist.

According to the Journal of the American Dental Association, because it is difficult for them to get treatment, people with developmental disorders suffer “a high burden of dental disease.” More than 30% of the patients studied suffered from untreated cavities and 80% from serious gum infections.

Additionally, the measure requires Medicaid to cover dental care, including anesthesia, that is provided in a hospital or surgical treatment center for any individual with a medical condition that requires hospitalization or general anesthesia.

The measure passed the Senate Health Committee Tuesday.