Stadelman discusses future of local journalism

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman recently held a subject matter hearing in the Senate Revenue Committee on a measure designed to uplift local journalism.

“Local journalism is the backbone of our communities, providing essential news and information that keeps residents informed and engaged,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “We must do what we can to preserve local journalism and, in turn, preserve democracy.”

Senate Bill 3953 would create the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, which aims to provide critical financial support to local news organizations and small businesses through targeted tax credits.

The bill contains two tax credits: one is withholding credits to help companies and their local newsrooms maintain and expands staff. Over the past 15-20 years, Illinois has lost a third of its local newspapers and newsrooms in the state, and has reduced jobs by 85%. The other tax credit is for local small businesses which advertise with local newsrooms.

Read more: Stadelman discusses future of local journalism

Holmes seeks equitable mental health care coverage for healing after miscarriage or stillbirth

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes advanced a measure through the Senate on Thursday that would require insurers to cover care for mental and emotional recovery for individuals who have experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth.

“So many who have experienced the loss of a child deal with the trauma for the rest of their lives; pregnancy loss in the case of stillbirth or a miscarriage is often an overpowering shock,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “This grief can trigger anxiety, stress and depression, and may contribute to substance abuse.”

Read more: Holmes seeks equitable mental health care coverage for healing after miscarriage or stillbirth

Cunningham’s initiatives for first responders pass Senate

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham moved two initiatives to expand family counseling services and disability benefits for first responders through the Illinois Senate.

“We have to recognize that first responders deal with an enormous amount of stress on the job,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “Sometimes that stress carries over to the family, so this important initiative will strengthen their access to family counseling services.”

House Bill 4460 would require every self-insured county and municipality across the state to provide coverage for marriage and couples counseling for firefighters and police officers. Coverage for marriage or couples counseling is not currently required in insurance plans for first responders because it is not considered a diagnosable mental health condition.

Read more: Cunningham’s initiatives for first responders pass Senate

Fine advances insurance coverage for prescribed at-home pregnancy tests

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine passed a measure through the Senate that would require health insurance providers to cover prescribed at-home pregnancy tests.

“Prescribed at-home pregnancy tests, like medications, should be covered by insurance for those who need them,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “The purpose of this legislation is to reduce barriers to accessing necessary prescriptions and help patients obtain their tests.”

While at-home pregnancy tests are available over-the-counter, prescribers require patients taking certain medications — like Accutane, a medication for severe acne — to take a monthly pregnancy test. For those who need pregnancy tests, Fine’s measure extends privacy to patients by allowing tests to be concealed in the same paper bags as other pharmacy prescriptions.

Read more: Fine advances insurance coverage for prescribed at-home pregnancy tests