Peters’ measure to ban bosses from holding mandatory political and religious gatherings at work
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SPRINGFIELD —State Senator Robert Peters advanced legislation out of the Senate Thursday to ban employers from requiring workers to attend meetings regarding political or religious matters.
“The National Labor Relations Board's top lawyer suggested that mandatory meetings about unions, politics or religion should be illegal under federal labor laws,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “If they are not going to take action, we will.”
The National Labor Relations Board's general counsel issued a memorandum outlining a plan to advocate for mandatory meetings concerning union representation, political opinions and religious matters unlawful under federal labor law. There has been no action following the memorandum, which was issued in 2022.
Belt’s Small Business Financing Transparency Act passes Senate
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt moved a bill out of the Senate Thursday that would provide better financial protections for small businesses in the state.
“There are small businesses around the state, especially in my community, that have faced challenges in accessing fair and transparent financing options that have allowed them to fall victim to predatory lending,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “These businesses are the backbone of our communities and they should be uplifted, not burdened with financial hardship and business failure.”
Senate Bill 2234 would create the Small Business Financing Transparency Act, which would provide protections for small businesses when taking out a loan by requiring key financial terms such as the amount financed, fees and the annual percentage rate be clearly disclosed at the time an online or non-bank provider makes an offer for a loan.
Read more: Belt’s Small Business Financing Transparency Act passes Senate
Holmes advances insurance coverage for menopause relief therapies
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes is leading an effort in the Senate to establish insurance coverage for treating menopause symptoms without regard to whether the onset was natural or surgical. Holmes’ measure, House Bill 5295, passed the Senate Insurance Committee on Tuesday.
Menopause happens when an individual’s estrogen and progesterone hormone levels begin to fall. If it begins naturally, symptoms arise over time; if it is a result of surgery, those effects start very quickly after the procedure.
“In either event or at whatever age, hormonal changes can bring on complications that affect our overall health and well-being. As estrogen drops, bone density can decrease and cardiovascular risks can rise,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “Menopause therapies are prescribed regardless of the onset reason and must be covered either way.”
Read more: Holmes advances insurance coverage for menopause relief therapies
Castro works to expand telehealth services for physical therapy
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SPRINGFIELD — People in need of physical therapy could soon have more freedom and flexibility to choose where and how they receive care under a measure led by State Senator Cristina Castro.
“Access to physical therapy can make all the difference for someone recovering from an injury or seeking to relieve chronic pain,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “We also know that telehealth has been a game-changer, helping connect thousands of people to health care providers during and after the pandemic by making it more accessible.”
Castro’s measure would join Illinois with 23 other states that have permanently allowed physical therapists to provide telehealth services. Illinois allowed physical therapists to provide telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the state has not passed legislation enabling them to continue this practice.
Read more: Castro works to expand telehealth services for physical therapy
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