SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel championed a measure that will address background check delays at childcare facilities across Illinois.

“Illinois has been committed to setting kids up to be lifelong learners, giving youth a quality education at an early age,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We can’t do that when background checks are taking so long. We are losing qualified early education teachers.”

House Bill 4412 would allow a childcare facility, non-licensed service provider, day care center, or home-based day cares to use a third-party vendor licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for the required fingerprinting that is part of the application process for facility licensure and as a condition of employment.

SPRINGFIELD ­– A measure championed by State Senator Karina Villa aiming to protect tenants from different forms of landlord retaliation passed the Senate on Wednesday.

“With fear of retaliation, tenants would rather stay in inadequate living conditions than speak up – this cannot continue,” said Villa (D-West Chicago).  “Tenants spend their hard earned money on rent. At minimum, they should be confident when taking actions to ensure that their home is properly maintained.”

House Bill 4768 would protect tenants from a landlord who knowingly terminates their tenancy, increases rent, decreases services, brings or threatens a lawsuit or refuses to renew a lease after a tenant sought assistance to ensure their housing was safe and habitable.

SPRINGFIELD – Leading the charge to address disparities in maternal mortality rates in Illinois, State Senator Lakesia Collins is spearheading a measure to expand coverage for pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by doulas and midwives.

“As a mom, I know how necessary pregnancy and midwife services are and how vital it is to lower the maternal mortality rate by ensuring mothers and newborns have the best health care and supports possible,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Black women face some of the highest mortality rates during and after pregnancy, and with this legislation, we will begin to close gaps in coverage and increase safety and care for all newborns and mothers in Illinois.”

Under Collins’ legislation, private insurers would be required to cover all pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by perinatal doulas or licensed certified professional midwives, including home births, home visits and support during labor. Insurance companies would need to cover home visits by board-certified lactation consultants, including the cost of recommended breast pumps, breastfeeding supplies and feeding aids.

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Ram Villivalam is leading the charge in expanding the list of documents an employee can request from an employer, and how they can do so.

“Making sure that workers have necessary protections is important to prevent possible retaliation,” said Villivalam. “That’s why expanding the options for what documents they can request, and how they can request them, is vital.”

This measure would expand the list of documents an employee can request such as documents used to determine qualification of employment, contracts that are legally binding to the employee, handbooks, and any written employer policies or procedures.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson championed a measure to ensure students have the housing and resources they need to succeed.

“Students deserve adequate shelter and transportation. It is crucial for their physical and emotional well-being,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “Moreover, when basic needs are met, parents are more likely to engage with their child's school activities, attend meetings, and support their educational journey.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Robert Peters advanced legislation to enhance access to health care services and protect the rights and interests of consumers through a comprehensive plan that targets key issues within health insurance plans.

"This legislation makes health care more accessible and transparent," said Peters (D-Chicago). "It also ensures accountability for large insurance companies that have gone unchecked by making certain they receive proper oversight.”

House Bill 5395 addresses "ghost networks," which occur when networks list providers who are not taking new patients, do not accept the patient’s insurance or are retired. Further, it extends the ban on unjustifiable insurance rate increases to large group plans in Illinois, ensuring access to affordable care.

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Ram Villivalam is leading the charge in expanding the list of documents an employee can request from an employer, and how they can do so.

“Making sure that workers have necessary protections is important to prevent possible retaliation,” said Villivalam. “That’s why expanding the options for what documents they can request, and how they can request them, is vital.”

This measure would expand the list of documents an employee can request such as documents used to determine qualification of employment, contracts that are legally binding to the employee, handbooks, and any written employer policies or procedures.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones is leading a measure to allow municipalities to have a greater say in its development plans.

“Concentrating IDOT funding for pedestrian and bicycle ways to larger cities will increase efficiency and usability of said funding,” said Jones (D-Chicago). “This measure will make sure that resources are not wasted.”

Currently, IDOT must fund pedestrian and bicycle ways to in conjunction with construction, reconstruction or other change of state transportation facilities in or within one mile of a municipality of over 1,000 people. This forces municipalities to work pedestrian and bicycle ways into their development plans even if they won’t be used.

House Bill 4489 would allow an area of a county within one mile of a city with a population of 50,000 or more to pass a resolution to opt out of IDOT-funded pedestrian or bicycle ways. 

“This measure will give smaller municipalities the power to have more say in their infrastructure,” said Jones. “This will help communities by allowing them to plan and build new construction without the restriction of including pedestrian and bicycle ways.”

House Bill 4489 passed the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday.