Feigenholtz honored with LGBTQ+ bar association award
- Details
CHICAGO — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz was recognized Thursday with the Advocate Award at LAGBAC’s Lawyers for Diversity celebration for her decades-long work in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“The privilege I have of working alongside the LGBTQIA+ legal community cannot be understated,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Standing alongside the passionate, sharp minds of the legal community and the street fighters and activists who got us here has been nothing short of breathtaking.”
Feigenholtz has been a career-long advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She has consistently worked to prevent gender- and sexual identity-based discrimination, secured millions in HIV/AIDS prevention funding, strengthened Illinois’ hate crime laws, protected reproductive freedom and access to gender-affirming care, modernized inclusive language on birth and marriage certificates, expanded adoption protections for same-sex couples and more.
Read more: Feigenholtz honored with LGBTQ+ bar association award
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation honors Sims with “Good Government Award”
- Details
CHICAGO – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. received the Good Government Award from the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation Thursday for his advocacy to fund legal aid programs – helping more than 2.3 million Illinois residents seek justice.
“Our government’s primary responsibility is to protect the rights of all people and I am proud to advocate for greater state funding for civil legal aid and the IEJF to live up to this basic responsibility,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Through its grant making, IEJF champions the legal needs of our most underserved communities to ensure everyone is protected by our civil justice system.”
Sims received the award Thursday at the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Celebration – which highlighted more than two decades of powering Illinois’ legal aid system.
Read more: Illinois Equal Justice Foundation honors Sims with “Good Government Award”
Senate Democrats celebrate over $25 million in grant funding to support renewable energy projects
- Details
CHICAGO—Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic caucus are helping lead Illinois’ efforts to be a nationwide leader in investing in environmental sustainability by supporting a $25.5 million investment for the Equitable Energy Future Grant Program.
“This grant funding opportunity will allow folks from across Illinois to help create a greener future,” said Senator David Koehler (D – Peoria), one of the leading supporters of the initiative in the Senate. “The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program is essential to leveling the green energy playing field and ensuring no one is left behind.”
The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program is part of the historic Senate Democrat-led Climate and Equitable Jobs Act . This law established a larger strategy to equitably grow the clean energy workforce in Illinois. To meet these goals, the Equitable Energy Future Grant Program aims to help remove barriers to projects, community, and business development in communities that have been historically left behind due to lack of available capital.
New law inspired by Illinois jaw cancer patients' struggle closes health insurance gaps
- Details
GLENVIEW – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine and State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, aimed at addressing critical gaps in Illinois' health insurance, has been signed into law by the governor. The new law guarantees individuals with major jaw injuries including those caused by cancer, access to essential medical treatments without the fear of insurance denials.
“This law closes a major loophole for patients requiring necessary medical treatments for a life-threatening disease. It ensures that in a time of crisis, no one has to experience financial roadblocks to receiving medical care,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This new law is a common sense solution resulting from the collaboration between the Illinois State Dental Society and the Insurance industry. As a result, cancer patients requiring jaw surgery will have coverage for the care they need.”
The legislation started when an Illinois resident undergoing treatment for Jaw cancer required extensive reconstructive surgery and dental implants to restore basic functions like eating and speaking. However, when this patient turned to their insurance provider for help, they were met with denial. The insurance company labeled the dental implants as "cosmetic," refusing to cover the cost, despite the critical and obvious role these implants played in the patient's recovery.
Read more: New law inspired by Illinois jaw cancer patients' struggle closes health insurance gaps
More Articles …
Page 207 of 813
Follow ILSenDems
Member News
-
Porfirio resolution honors U.S. Marine Corps
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio led a resolution to honor the U.S. Marine Corps through renaming a portion of Interstate Route 80. “Since its creation, the Marine Corps has played a key role in protecting and safeguarding the security and fr... -
Hastings: Freedom is never free
SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings supported a resolution to honor the United States Marine Corps through renaming a portion of Interstate Route 80. Hastings, who served as a U.S. Army officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom, rose in supp... -
Jones honors fallen state trooper with memorial highway
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III successfully led a resolution to rename a portion of I-55 in honor of late State Trooper Clay M. Carns. “Trooper Carns died doing the same thing he had done every day for 11 years – diligently and faithfully... -
Johnson declares Menopause Awareness Week
SPRINGFIELD – To bring awareness to a condition that will be faced by more than half of all Illinoisans, State Senator Adriane Johnson championed the effort to declare Oct. 11-17, 2026 Menopause Awareness Week. “Highlighting menopause is vital to gua... -
Morrison champions resolution declaring September 2026 Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month
DEERFIELD — Bringing awareness to genetic disorders, State Senator Julie Morrison championed a resolution in the Senate declaring September 2026 as Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month in Illinois. “Muscular Dystrophy is a group of progressive and dege...
(217) 782-2728
321 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
(312) 814-2075
160 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 720
Chicago, IL 60601