Belt’s Small Business Financing Transparency Act passes Senate

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.

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Holmes advances insurance coverage for menopause relief therapies

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.”

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Castro works to expand telehealth services for physical therapy

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.

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Morrison leads measure to give physicians a new resource for end-of-life care

SPRINGFIELD – Standing alongside advocates from various health care organizations as well as the State Bar Association at a press conference Wednesday, State Senator Julie Morrison outlined her initiative to create a state electronic registry which will store treatment preferences for critically ill individuals.

“How much or how little treatment a person gets at their end-of-life should be up to each individual instead of the one-size-fits-all approach,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This measure will enable physicians to access forms detailing patients’ wishes in a single, accessible location.”

Read more: Morrison leads measure to give physicians a new resource for end-of-life care