Sims, Peters attend Survivors Speak Illinois 2022 event

More than 200 crime survivors traveled to the state Capitol for the second annual Survivors Speak Illinois 2022 event. Among the crowd were surviving loved ones, including family and friends, of those who tragically lost their lives to violence. Each year, hundreds of crime survivors from across the country gather together to heal, share their stories and advocate for change.

This year, advocates rallied together to call on officials to shift the narrative on what true public safety means. Organizers and supporters of the event praised the SAFE-T Act and Reimagine Public Safety Act and called for the passage of more initiatives that work to support victims’ needs.

Read more: Sims, Peters attend Survivors Speak Illinois 2022 event

In-home patients to receive equitable care under Harris’s law

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure patients needing home health services receive adequate care, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) advanced legislation to require all state health insurance plans to offer coverage.   

"Home care offers individualized services that are tailored to the client's health care needs and finances," Harris said. "By ensuring all state insurance plans cover home services, Illinois can play a tremendous role in protecting the most vulnerable among us, including older residents, the chronically ill and individuals with disabilities."

House Bill 5585 will require all health insurance plans governed by state law issued on or after Jan. 1, 2024, to provide coverage for access to home health services for the duration of medically necessary care. 

Read more: In-home patients to receive equitable care under Harris’s law

Holmes advances plan to require insurance coverage for hormone therapy treatment for women after hysterectomy

SPRINGFIELD – When a woman requires a hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes causes estrogen to drop and menopause to begin. Insurance companies may soon be required to cover hormone therapy treatments under a plan led by State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

“A lack of estrogen causes women to develop osteoporosis, weak bones, hot flashes and other symptoms,” Holmes said. “Hormone therapy replaces some or all of the estrogen the woman’s ovaries would be making. Adding estrogen back into a woman’s body lowers their risk of certain medical conditions.”

Read more: Holmes advances plan to require insurance coverage for hormone therapy treatment for women after...

Senate approves Loughran Cappel legislation to reduce vehicle registration fee for older Illinoisans

SPRINGFIELD – A measure reducing the registration fee for older Illinoisans passed the Senate Thursday under legislation sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood).

“Rising prices are squeezing people’s budgets across the state, and putting an especially difficult financial strain on older residents,” Loughran Cappel said. “This legislation offers a reduction in cost for a vehicle fee for older adults living on a limited income.”

The measure would reduce the vehicle registration fee for vehicle owners and their spouses from $24 to $10 if they qualify or have been approved for benefits under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability Property Tax Relief Act.

Read more: Senate approves Loughran Cappel legislation to reduce vehicle registration fee for older...