Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – In Feb. 2025, a whistleblower came forward sharing pictures and describing a gruesome scene at Crown Cremations and Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights ─ prompting an investigation from the Office of the Comptroller that discovered the crematorium improperly stored over 100 bodies.  In response, State Senator Patrick Joyce worked to expand the comptroller’s ability to investigate crematory’s operations.

“By bringing together both the comptroller’s office and the funeral industry, we were able to craft legislation that allows crematoriums to operate successfully and ethically,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “When you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, the last thing you should have to worry about is how their remains are treated.”

House Bill 4695 will expand the comptroller's ability to investigate a licensed crematory, its records or any other aspects of crematory operation the comptroller deems appropriate. It will permit the comptroller to perform an unannounced inspection of the premises. As part of its investigations, if the comptroller finds any violation or wrongdoing under the grounds for dismissal that constitute an imminent danger to the public, the comptroller will be able to suspend the crematory’s license. The law will also implement additional penalties for violations.

SPRINGFIELD – To help Illinois residents access treatment for conditions like cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome and other endocrine disorders, State Senator Lakesia Collins led a new law requiring health insurance plans to cover up to a six-month supply of prescription hormone therapy.

“Far too many are facing unnecessary burdens as they try to maintain their health plan and stay on schedule with their medications,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This law will ensure patients are prescribed enough medication to ensure continued access without the worry or frequent trips to the pharmacy.”

Collins’ law, House Bill 5492, will require health insurance plans to cover up to a six-month supply of prescription hormone therapy and any necessary supplies for self-administration when prescribed by a health care provider and dispensed at one time. By allowing patients to receive a longer supply of medication at once, the law will reduce interruptions in treatment and make it easier for individuals to maintain consistent care.

SPRINGFIELD – Accurate gender identification is essential for daily life, yet, for many transgender individuals, barriers remain. To strengthen privacy protections, State Senator Laura Ellman championed a new law to codify Illinois’ existing policy, allowing gender marker updates on IDs through self-attestation.

“An ID should never put someone in a vulnerable position,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This ensures people can safely and accurately reflect who they are.”

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure patient’s medical information is kept private, State Senator Adriane Johnson’s new law will remove hormonal medications such as testosterone and estrogen from the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program.

“No one should fear being monitored or tracked for receiving hormone replacement therapy prescribed by their healthcare provider,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Respecting medical privacy allows patients to access care with confidence and peace of mind.”

Intended to prevent patients from going from one doctor to another to get multiple prescriptions for powerful and addictive pain medications, the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program collects controlled substance prescription records from pharmacies. The data is provided to authorized individuals for the purpose of clinical care, regulation of professional practice, research and evaluation and law enforcement.

SPRINGFIELD – Graduating high school students will soon see more opportunities to attend Illinois’ public colleges and universities, thanks to a law led by State Senator Celina Villanueva that expands in-state tuition rates to any individual who attended an Illinois high school for three years.

“Expanding in-state tuition at public colleges and universities will offer an otherwise unreachable lifeline to so many students, especially those coming from vulnerable situations,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “This is about ensuring our higher education system prioritizes equity and opportunity for all.”

For the past several years, Illinois lawmakers have voiced concerns with college costs, specifically citing rising in-state tuition that has led to many students taking on more in education-related debt or seeking higher education across state lines. Villanueva recognizes that the continued rising cost of living disproportionately affects low-income families and students participating in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – groups that often have to temporarily relocate due to unforeseen circumstances.

Holmes releases statement on her retirement from the Illinois State Senate

AURORA — State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) released the following statement announcing her retirement from the Illinois State Senate:

“Representing my community has been the honor of a lifetime. I am proud of the work we accomplished together—from advancing protections for pets and expanding access to health care, to supporting small businesses, protecting local control, strengthening Illinois’ unemployment system during the pandemic, and being the chief sponsor of Medical Aid in Dying legislation to give terminally ill patients greater dignity and choice.

Read more.

Hastings' new law provides oversight of predatory Buy-Now-Pay-Later loans

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois consumers have seen that a rapid expansion of Buy-Now-Pay-Later loan services may seem convenient at first, but they can carry hidden costs, unexpected fees and financial risks that often go unnoticed until it is too late. In response, State Senator Michael E. Hastings passed a law enforcing stronger oversight of these predatory programs.

“This industry has grown so fast over such a short period of time,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “We are now to a point where Buy-Now-Pay-Later programs are operating like it’s the Wild West.”

Read more.

Aquino law bans 'junk' fees in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — Following years of advocacy, State Senator Omar Aquino’s initiative to ban junk fees in Illinois was signed into law to protect consumers and increase transparency.

“Our state is facing unprecedented challenges due to devastating cuts from the federal spending plan under H.R. 1,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “Banning junk fees is part of a broader effort to alleviate some of the financial pressure on Illinois families while our state continues to confront a national affordability crisis.”

Read more.

Stadelman laws strengthen ticket buyer protections

SPRINGFIELD — Two measures championed by State Senator Steve Stadelman to protect consumers and promote a fairer, more transparent ticket resale marketplace were signed into law, banning the practice of speculative ticket sales in Illinois and helping ensure fairer access to event tickets by cracking down on automated bots and deceptive online resale practices.

“When consumers purchase a ticket, they should have confidence that the seller actually possesses it and can deliver it,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “House Bill 4984 protects fans from deceptive practices, promotes transparency in the resale marketplace and helps ensure Illinois consumers are treated fairly.”

Read more.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Glowiak Hilton, Western Springs: Illinois bill requiring railroad safety info in student handbooks awaits Pritzker's approval | WAND

Senator Karina Villa, West Chicago: Bill helping homeless students arrives on Pritzker's desk | WAND

Senator Ram Villivalam, Chicago: New Illinois e-bike rules begin July 1 amid suburban safety concerns | Patch Illinois

Copyright 2026 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci’s measure that will modify how individuals with developmental disabilities are made aware of critical money-saving resources through the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program was signed into law Friday.

“This law will be essential for uplifting individuals with disabilities and their families so they can make real strides toward financial independence without violating SSI and Medicaid’s benefit eligibility rules,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “With just a small change, we’re providing tangible relief to residents who are looking to maximize saving for their future and ensuring the Scott Bennett ABLE Program is accessible to everyone in need.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation championed by State Senator Laura Fine to require clear ingredient labeling on diaper packaging has been signed into law, ensuring parents and caregivers have straightforward, reliable information about the products their children use every day.

“Families should have easy access to information about the products their children rely on,” said Fine (D Glenview). “By requiring ingredient disclosure on diaper packaging, this law gives parents greater confidence and helps them make choices that are right for their children.”

Concerns from parents, caregivers, and individuals with sensitivities to fragrances and other chemicals highlighted a gap in consumer information surrounding diaper products. While adults using medical-device-classified diapers are afforded certain ingredient disclosure protections under federal regulations, infant and children’s diapers have not been subject to the same transparency standards.