SPRINGFIELD – To help inmates transition out of prison, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) sponsored legislation to require the Department of Corrections (DOC) to screen inmates for Medicaid eligibility before being released, which was recently signed into law.

At this time, the Unified Code of Corrections requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to give inmates the opportunity to apply for Medicaid at least 45 days before they are discharged and requires DOC to assist them in filling out their application.

“Assisting inmates with Medicaid screening will help reduce the chronic disease rate, which is a major cause of death and disability in Illinois,” Belt said. “We are trying to help inmates from recidivating and one of the best ways to do that is do ensure medical treatment is available upon discharge. This is of utmost importance as it will give them the chance to maintain their health when reintegrated into society.”

PLAINFIELD – Illinois seniors may soon be better able to cover the cost of hearing aids, due to a new law championed by State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood).

Bertino-Tarrant’s measure, House Bill 3503, requires insurance companies to offer optional coverage for hearing instruments and any related services for all individuals when they are prescribed by a hearing care professional. It was signed into law on Friday.

“There have been recent studies that have shown important links between hearing loss and feelings of depression or isolation.” Bertino-Tarrant said. “However, hearing aids are often a burdensome expense to seniors who are on a limited income to begin with. The goal of this legislation is to ensure this medically necessary equipment is financially accessible to Illinois residents.”

According to Health Affairs, more than 26 million adults aged 50 years and older with hearing loss reside in the US. Lack of hearing aid uptake is a public health concern because untreated age-related hearing loss, with its accompanied reductions in speech understanding, is associated with increased risk of social isolation, falls, hospitalizations, and cognitive decline.

SPRINGFIELD – Jurors in Illinois who are LGBTQ will no longer be able to be excluded from jury service simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity under a new law signed recently by Gov. Pritzker that was passed by State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights).

“Ensuring jury pools represent the diversity of Illinois is a vital part of ensuring our criminal justice system is fair,” Hutchinson said. “Allowing jurors to be excluded simply because of who they love or who they are flies in the face of the kind of criminal justice reforms we are all working toward.”

Hutchinson’s new law, contained in Senate Bill 1378, ensures LGBTQ jurors cannot be excluded from jury service simply on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In 2014, the 9th United States Circuit ruled that sexual orientation cannot be used as the sole basis for exclusion of a juror, protecting lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals from being excluded on jury panels. Since Illinois sits in the 7th United States Circuit, however, that ruling didn’t apply to the state.

SPRINGFIELD – A comprehensive proposal by State Senator Terry Link (D-Indian Creek) aimed at ending the stigma surrounding mental health issues among firefighters and law enforcement officers was signed into law today by Gov. Pritzker.

“The men and women who dedicate their lives to the protection of their neighbors do so under extremely stressful situations that few others can truly understand,” Link said. “Ensuring there are services available when needed shows our brave first responders that even if they face these tough working conditions, they aren’t alone.”

Link’s new law – contained in House Bill 2766 – ensures individuals tasked with providing peer support counseling to law enforcement and firefighters are properly trained. Individuals who seek out mental health treatment will be protected under the law without fear of termination or adverse employment action.

In addition, the new law will create a task force to study recommendations to help reduce the risk of suicide among first responders.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation requiring a secure, electronic database to simplify the process of accessing all the communications between sexual assault victims and the many other parties involved in investigating their cases was signed into law today. This initiative is co-sponsored by State Senator Rachelle Crowe.

“Sexual assault investigations are complicated, and survivors are trying to keep track of everything during this time-sensitive process while also undergoing terrible personal trauma,” Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) said. “This program will allow secure conversations and status updates for all involved throughout a complex process. This is one more way we can empower survivors.”

The plan, Senate Bill 1411, specifies that survivors, health care facilities, law enforcement agencies and the State’s Attorney’s office are “stakeholders” with access to the files in question. The state will fund the program using moneys for crime labs and through additional funding for Illinois State Police.

“Our strong commitment to prosecuting sex offenders must be complimented by the very best support systems for sexual assault survivors. The criminal justice system can be challenging for victims to navigate- especially for those who have suffered such severe trauma,” said Tom Gibbons, Madison County State’s Attorney. “This law represents big progress toward providing real support for survivors at a time when the need it most. I am grateful to Senator Crowe for her tireless dedication to fighting for victims of crime with common sense reforms.”

SPRINGFIELD – The governor has signed into law two measures sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham that would help prevent suicide and promote mental wellness among first responders.

“Suicide and mental health are among the biggest issues facing first responders today,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “These pieces of legislation are major steps in combating these problems and showing first responders that help is available and it’s okay to ask for it.”

House Bill 2766, which Cunningham cosponsored, creates the First Responders Suicide Prevention Act. The act includes provisions to implement training for individuals tasked with providing peer support counseling to colleagues, requires police and fire departments to develop disciplinary measures for those who violate confidentiality agreements and creates a civil cause of action for employees whose employment status is adversely affected by information obtained during a counseling session.

“Peer support counseling is a critical tool in the fight against first responder suicide and I’m proud to support measures that ensure it remains a viable and confidential option for those who need it,” said Cunningham. “No one understands the issues these men and women face more than their peers and by fostering the development of peer counseling programs, we’re taking steps to save lives.”

SPRINGFIELD – Spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty are now eligible for grants and scholarships from the Police Memorial Committee under a law by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Muñoz (D-Chicago) that was signed today.

“Spouses of fallen officers often need to restructure their lives after their loved one is gone,” said Muñoz, a former Chicago police officer. “These scholarships provide support for spouses figuring out how to move forward after such a tragic loss.”

Currently, the Police Memorial Committee offers scholarships to children of police officers killed in the line of duty. Senate Bill 1183 extends the pool of recipients to include spouses.

\SPRINGFIELD – A decades-old law that prevents Illinois from taking action to address harmful greenhouse gas emissions was repealed thanks to State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville).

“By repealing the Kyoto Protocol Act, we're sending the signal that Illinois is ready to get serious about climate change,” Ellman said after her bill repealing the measure was signed into law today by Gov. JB Pritzker. “It's an outdated law that only served to tie lawmakers’ hands and it never should've been passed in the first place.”

House Bill 3481 repeals the Kyoto Protocol Act of 1998, which was intended to prevent the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Pollution Control Board from proposing rules to reduce greenhouse gases to address climate change.

“The Kyoto Protocol Act of 1998 was basically a gag order designed to prevent Illinois lawmakers from taking action to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions,” Ellman said. “Repealing this outdated law allows us to consider new options to cut greenhouse gas emissions and protect our environment.”