SPRINGFIELD – Anesthesia services, regardless of duration, will be covered by insurance companies under a new law sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner.

“Insurance coverage isn’t a timeshare, and companies shouldn’t have the ability to sell plans that burden people,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Patients’ health needs to be the top priority for insurance companies, not lining their own pockets.”

House Bill 1141 requires private insurers and all state group health plans to cover medically necessary anesthesia services, regardless of duration, for any procedure covered by the policy. 

SPRINGFIELD – Medically necessary equine therapy will soon be covered by health insurance thanks to a law championed by State Senator Laura Murphy.

“There are many effective forms for therapy, but insurance roadblocks and cost barriers often leave patients without access to the care they need,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “Equine therapy can support mental health and emotional growth, and soon it will be available to individuals who could benefit from this treatment but couldn’t afford it.”

Equine therapy encompasses therapies that involve interacting with horses, including specific therapies used by physical, occupational and speech therapists to engage different sensory responses for patients. It has shown positive effects for people living with PTSD, autism and many other conditions.

SPRINGFIELD – The use of therapy dogs to aid people struggling with PTSD and anxiety has steadily increased nationwide. Over 50,000 therapy dogs are in service today. State Senator Mary Edly-Allen championed a law that will increase the number of therapy dogs available during times of crisis.

“Therapy dogs have the ability to help reduce stress-induced trauma, bringing instant comfort and relief,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This law will improve officer wellness and make certified therapy K-9s more accessible to help those in a time of need.”

Senate Bill 1491 requires the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to create a training course and certification program for certified therapy dog teams specializing in crisis and emergency response. The law will expand the number of Crisis Intervention Therapy dogs so that at any given time an officer can easily respond to an event or request a visit.

“The signage of Senate Bill 1491 symbolizes a significant advancement in promoting officer wellness and enhancing the utilization of certified therapy K-9s throughout Illinois. This legislation is essential for expanding our capacity to provide critical care for individuals in crisis,” said Jennifer Wooldridge, deputy director of operations of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. “Furthermore, it guarantees that all communities within Illinois will have access to properly trained K-9s and their handlers.”

Senate Bill 1491 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law led by State Senator Karina Villa will address increased congenital syphilis cases in Illinois.

“This law upholds best practices to mitigate the alarming trend of rising congenital syphilis cases across Illinois,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “We must continue to support the health and safety of an expecting parent and their child every way we can.”

The law requires the second syphilis test conducted on pregnant individuals to be done between 27 and 32 weeks of pregnancy to ensure treatment can begin at least 30 days before delivery. The law also expands authorization to administer the test to health care professionals who are qualified in addition to physicians.

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to a new law led by State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes, applicants for grants through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICIJA) will soon see faster turnarounds on their approvals.

“The current bureaucratic process around grading ICIJA grant applications puts an unnecessary burden on workers and can delay the grants being awarded,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This measure is a long overdue update that will ensure the grant application process is efficient for all parties.” 

ICIJA utilizes volunteer workers to score grant applications — a rule intended to keep the process unbiased. However, this can lead to lengthy delays due to dips in volunteer work, or unreliable expertise levels in the grading process.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to guarantee attorney’s fees to defendants in a home repair or remodeling contract has been signed into law.

“Homeowners deserve fair compensation and quality representation if they have a genuine dispute and receive a favorable ruling,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This law ensures a resident will have one less cost barrier to enforce their rights against a contractor.”

State law already required consumer contracts in cases under $10,000 to pay out attorney’s fees to a consumer if the consumer prevails in their action. This initiative will ensure that if a home repair and remodeling contract allows attorney’s fees, then the contract will permit the award of attorney’s fees to all parties in the contract.

SPRINGFIELD – Insurance companies will no longer be able to solicit nursing home residents under a new law championed by State Senator Doris Turner.

“Local nursing home residents had reached out saying they were being solicited to buy new insurance policies or change their current plans,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We can’t let seniors be the target of deceptive practices by insurance companies.”

House Bill 1865 makes it illegal to solicit a resident of a nursing home or long-term care facility, or someone over the age of 65 to purchase accident and health insurance unless the insurance company waits 48 hours before making any insurance-related changes and the individual is given the ability to opt out.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s effort to protect rural auctioneers was signed into law Friday.

“We are working to protect local and rural auctioneers from unregulated online auctions and give bidders peace of mind when they make their transactions,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Illinois must guarantee that all auction services are carried out by credible, licensed auction professionals. This law will protect our local auctioneers and give bidders peace of mind when they make their transactions.”

Illinois law previously allowed for non-licensed entities and individuals to conduct auctions for estate sales and online auctions. Halpin’s new law will ensure a licensed auctioneer is involved in any online auctions, estate sales, and estate services.

"Thank you to Senator Mike Halpin, Representative Dan Swanson and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association in addressing this need for further regulation and legislation to serve the people of Illinois,” said, Executive Director of the Illinois State Auctioneers Association Cissy Tambor. 

Senate Bill 2351 was signed into law Friday and will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.