SPRINGFIELD – During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people began utilizing mental health counseling via telehealth appointments. With many Illinoisans still benefiting from this form of treatment, State Senator Laura Fine passed legislation to ensure these telehealth appointments will continue to be covered under Medicaid insurance plans even though COVID-19-related telehealth policies are expiring. 

“Patients prefer telehealth appointments for a variety of reasons, including time-saving convenience or having the opportunity to get treatment from a specialist who is not locally available,” said Fine (D-Glenview).  “This initiative will ensure Medicaid patients are still able to access this care with their insurance.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes spearheaded a new law that will waive certain requirements for veterans and those without a social security number who are seeking a real estate license.

”This law assists veterans and immigrants who are going to continue their real estate career in Illinois and have run into barriers in their continuing education requirements,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “With this law, we will help individuals reinstate their real estate license and continue their practice in Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – A new law championed by State Senator Steve Stadelman to expand consumer protections for renters in smaller buildings was signed into law today, making it more difficult for landlords to withhold security deposits.

“With this law, we are extending transparency to all renters,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This law will ensure everyone has the same protections when renting.”

Currently, landlords can withhold security deposits for tenants in buildings with five units or more as long as they provide an itemized statement of damages within 30 days after a tenant moves out. For those living in a building with five or fewer units, a withheld security deposit does not require a statement explaining why and listing the damages incurred.

Senate Bill 1741 removes this limitation.

“If a renter does not get their security deposit back, they at least deserve an explanation from their landlord,” Stadelman said. “We want to prevent landlords from abusing the law by withholding security deposits without tenants ever knowing why. I am proud to see this legislation signed into law and will continue to fight for consumer protections for Illinois residents.”

SPRINGFIELD – A new law led by State Senator Christopher Belt will increase transparency and accountability in the operation of housing authorities in the state.

“Everyone should have access to affordable housing. No one should have to question whether they will have a roof over their heads to protect them and their families,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “With more accurate wait list information, we can streamline the housing application processes and promote fair and equitable access to affordable housing opportunities.”

A housing authority is the local administrative agency for housing assistance programs funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Programs include housing choice voucher programs and public housing. This new law changes the Housing Authorities Act, requiring that every housing authority collect data on the number of vacant rental units within each housing project, as well as information on whether each wait list maintained by the authority is open or closed.

“Over 224,000 people rely on housing assistance in the state, which includes a large number of my constituents in the 57^th District,” said Belt. “It’s only right that these housing authorities start providing this crucial information. This will build a stronger, more transparent housing system that meets the needs of Illinois residents using this assistance.”

Senate Bill 1367 was signed Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

SPRINGFIELD – Reconstructive surgeries as a result of a traumatic experience will be covered by insurance under a new law spearheaded by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

“It’s not easy to be reminded of a traumatic experience every time a survivor looks in the mirror,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We have to provide the essential resources so survivors can recover without being burdened by hospital bills.”

The new law requires HMOs, Medicaid and individual and group health insurance policies to cover medically necessary reconstructive surgeries to restore a person’s physical appearance that was damaged by trauma.

Currently, Medicare patients pay 100% of non-covered services, including most cosmetic surgeries. There are no provisions for cosmetic surgery for state employee’s group insurance. Reconstructive breast surgery is covered if it’s in connection with a mastectomy.

“This initiative was designed to help survivors continue to process and recover from their tragedy,” said Loughran Cappel. “They no longer will have to weigh the cost versus necessary health care.”

House Bill 1384 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio sponsored a measure that will expand the Residential Sound Insulation Program Advisory Committee by two members. It was signed into law Friday, June 30.

“By adding more members to the committee, additional insight will be provided when making suggestions to municipalities,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “The goal is to ensure that affected areas have adequate representation.”

Currently, municipalities can establish Residential Sound Insulation Programs to mitigate the impacts of aircraft noise and pollution on neighboring homes by replacing residential windows and monitoring the off-gassing of those replacements. At least 10% of window replacements must go to homes that are considered in extreme hardship.

The committee is currently comprised of nine members who monitored the various municipal programs and had the authority to determine which homes contain windows or doors that cause offensive odors and are thus eligible for replacement. Porfirio’s measure will add two additional members to the board.

“The city of Chicago has sound insulated more than 21,000 homes near O’Hare and Midway airports,” said Porfirio. “With more feedback from additional members, a quieter environment and better quality of life can be achieved.”

The governor signed House Bill 3722 on Friday, June 30, which takes effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie led a new law to prohibit the consideration of immigration status during real estate transactions.

“This law sets clear boundaries, protecting the rights of immigrants and ensuring that financial institutions and service providers cannot engage in discriminatory practices,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Putting these protections in place will promote fairness to ensure people are not unjustly denied housing.”

The Illinois Human Rights Act will now include immigration status as a protected class, making it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their immigration status when renting or selling property. Landlords and property sellers cannot refuse to rent or sell, receive or transmit offers, or negotiate the terms of a deal with someone based on their immigration status.

Additionally, a third party loan modification service provider cannot refuse to engage in loan modification services or alter the terms of such services based on a person’s immigration status. Inquiry or use of immigration status is still allowed when required by either state or federal law.

“By making this change, we are breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for immigrants to establish homes and contribute to our communities,” Gillespie said. “Someone’s background should not disqualify them from buying or renting property.”

Senate Bill 1817 was signed into law Friday and will go into effect Jan. 1, 2024.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin and State Senator Neil Anderson announced the signing of Senate Bill 1750, aimed at creating incentives to recruit much-needed emergency medical technicians in Illinois fire departments, and the signing of a measure which allows a $500 tax credit for volunteer emergency workers.

"EMTs and volunteer firefighters are an important part of what keeps our communities safe," said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This was a concerted effort to give local fire protection districts additional tools that allow them to recruit and retain emergency service workers.”

Senate Bill 1750 requires the board of trustees of a fire protection district to reimburse the mandatory training expenses of EMTs, EMT-Is, A-EMTs, or paramedics who are employed by or under contract with the district. The mandatory training expenses will be covered by a state-funded program.

EMTs are essential first responders in emergency situations and are often the first point of contact for patients. However, many fire departments in Illinois are struggling to recruit and retain EMTs due to the high cost of training and certification. The new law provides a much-needed incentive for candidates to pursue a career in emergency medical services and helps ensure that fire departments have the necessary personnel to respond to emergencies and save lives.

Another proposal – led by Senator Halpin and Senator Anderson – allows a $500 tax credit for volunteer emergency workers that receive up to $5,000 compensation for their services. This will give volunteer emergency first responders a well-deserved credit for all the time and effort they give to protecting our communities.

State Senator Neil Anderson (R-Andalusia) who has more than a decade of experience as a professional paramedic and firefighter has signed on as a chief-co sponsor of the bill.

“Our volunteer departments are equally as important as a fulltime fire department,” said Senator Anderson. “When there is an emergency, response times are critical and if there is nobody to fill the seats on a fire apparatus then it’s a huge public safety concern. I feel this new law is a good first step in either recruiting new volunteer emergency workers or providing a small incentive to the ones who are already willingly answering the call.”

Senate Bill 1750 was signed into law on Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024. Senate Bill 1963 was signed into law on June 7, 2023 and is currently in effect.