Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Willie Preston’s measure that would expand coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering advanced out of the Senate Thursday.

“Stuttering is something a lot of folks deal with, especially our kids,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “We’ve got to make sure they’re not carrying that on their own, and show them they’ve got real support behind them.”

The measure would expand coverage for speech therapy to include rehabilitative services. Coverage currently applies to habilitative services for any child under 19 years of age with an early-acquired disorder that is diagnosed as a speech-language disorder, including stuttering.

Additionally, the legislation would require Medicaid to cover both habilitative and rehabilitative stuttering therapies for individuals 21 years old and younger.

“I know the struggle. I used to stutter, and it can make you feel like you’re not being heard,” said Preston. “This measure is about changing that. It’s about making sure people have access to the support and rehab services they need to find their voice.”

Senate Bill 2899 passed the Senate Thursday, and moves to the House for further consideration. 

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford was joined by State Senators Mike Halpin and Graciela Guzmán, as well as a number of advocates, to fight to transform how Illinois funds its higher education system.

“Despite education’s paramount importance, the disparity in funding among higher educational institutions remains dreadfully evident,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This imbalance not only undermines the principle of equal opportunity but also hampers our collective progress as a society.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci’s measure that would modify how individuals with developmental disabilities are made aware of critical money-saving resources through the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program is one step closer to law.

“The Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program is a critical resource that can provide tangible relief for individuals with disabilities who are looking to save for their futures; however, like any resource, it is only helpful if residents know it exists,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “By ensuring individuals with disabilities and their families are aware of programs like the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program, we can safeguard their ability to build financial independence without violating the eligibility rules set for SSI and Medicaid benefits.”

SPRINGFIELD – In light of the rising cost of living nationwide, State Senator Mike Simmons joined State Representative Nabeela Syed at a press conference Thursday to highlight legislation that would help ensure the renting process is transparent and fair.

“Renters across my district need transparency when they are searching for housing,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “By removing junk fees and requiring leases to list all applicable fees on the front page, we are giving tenants the information they need to rent fairly.”

Under Simmons’ bill, landlords wouldn’t be able to charge tenants for 11 types of fees, including modifying or renewing a lease, for the receipt of an eviction notice unless it is granted, for routine maintenance and upkeep, for pest abatement and removal, or for contacting the building owner or property manager. 

DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison advanced legislation that would ensure that schools can provide undesignated prescription glucagon to students with diabetes suffering from a hypoglycemia emergency.

“Diabetes is a life-long disease that requires timely and attentive maintenance to ensure proper blood sugar levels,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It is imperative that our school professionals are not only equipped with proper training, but have access to life-saving medication that can help avert hypoglycemic emergencies.”

Glucagon is a life-saving medication used to treat severe hypoglycemia, which works by raising blood glucose levels to a safer range. Leaving hypoglycemia emergencies untreated can lead to confusion, seizures or even loss of consciousness.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson passed legislation aimed at strengthening medical education around perimenopause and menopause care by allowing this coursework to count toward Illinois’ required implicit bias awareness training.

“Too many women are told that their symptoms are just a part of aging without meaningful support or guidance,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This legislation will help providers deepen their understanding and empower them with the tools to enhance patient-centered care.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci advanced an initiative that would honor the legacy and lasting impact of the late State Senator Scott Bennett by renaming the railroad trestle bridge on Kickapoo Rail Trail.

“Scott Bennett was not only a mentor to me, he was also a dear friend whose dedication to his communities has inspired much of my work in the Senate to date,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “Renaming the bridge on Kickapoo Rail Trail in honor of his life and work is common sense. He made tangible, necessary and valuable change for our communities with our residents’ best interest always at the forefront, and nothing deserves recognition more than that.”

Faraci’s proposal would honor Bennett’s memory in Vermilion County by designating the railroad trestle bridge on Kickapoo Rail Trail as the Senator Scott Bennett Memorial Bridge. The measure would also allow the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to erect plaques in recognition of the designation, pending the agency’s funding availability.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison joined Child Advocacy Center leaders from across the state to raise awareness about support the centers’ provide to children and advocate for the passage of Senate Bill 3510.

“Think about a child who has been abused or sexually assaulted. Rather than passing them from the police station to another room, they go to one place – one environment – to tell their story once,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It is so impactful that we have Child Advocacy Centers in Illinois that allow this streamlined approach.”