* Press release…

Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation today that works to increase diverse voices on corporate boards across the state.

“As a result of this legislation, in the coming years, both the legislature and the public can review the gender, racial and ethnic makeup of the governance of large businesses that call Illinois home,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Better diversity among leadership leads to reduced turnover, increased growth and improved market share. That’s good business, and it advances my vision of an Illinois where both businesses and working families thrive.”

The new law directs publicly-traded companies headquartered in Illinois to submit an annual report to the Secretary of State’s Office on the representation of female and minority board members in the company and their practices for identifying and appointing diverse leadership to their board.

The University of Illinois systems will then study the demographic makeup of boards across the state and establish a rating system for those businesses in an effort to increase diversity in corporate leadership.

Beginning in 2021, reports from corporations will report to the Secretary of State’s Office by January 1 each year, and the U of I will publish its analysis by March 1 of each year.

House Bill 3394 takes effect immediately.

“I introduced this bill and feel so passionately about this issue because there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about creating a brighter future for my children,” said Rep. Chris Welch (D-Hillside). “I am committed to fostering a business environment that offers the same opportunities for my son, daughter, and all women and people of color that are afforded to their peers.”

“With this new law, we will be able to pinpoint the corporations who aren’t diversifying,” said Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Centreville). “Illinois is a very diverse state, and boards should reflect the diversity of its employees, consumers and community.”

* Public Radio…

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a law Monday that expands insurance coverage of mammograms.

Previously, insurance companies only had to cover the initial “screening” mammograms that check for cancerous tissue. Under the new law, insurance must now cover any follow-up mammograms that scrutinize the body in more detail. Pritzker says this extra coverage is essential.

* Chalkbeat…

Illinois abolished its charter commission on Friday, the body reviled by school districts but valued by charter promoters for offering a recourse to local disapproval of school proposals.

As widely expected, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1226 into law, close to the deadline for him taking action. The bill will dismantle the commission by July 1 and will hand off oversight of 11 schools, which the commission previously approved, to the state Board of Education next summer.

The state board will take over the responsibility of hearing appeals on charter school openings, closings and extensions. The state also will dole out funds it had collected to oversee the schools that the commission had approved. Once the state board takes over the commission’s role, the board will be able to levy a 3% fee on any state-approved charter school to help cover the cost of oversight. […]

Until Pritzker signed the bill, [Shenita Johnson, director of the commission] had held out hope that the governor would veto it. She said she was used to uncertainty, because the commission has long been a lightning rod for criticism from charter critics and districts that don’t want their decisions overruled — both of whom have sought to eliminate the body.

* Other new laws…

* New Illinois laws take aim at high maternal death rates, racial disparities: Illinois is taking steps to combat troubling maternal and infant mortality statistics after one lawmaker was moved to action by a series of reports which showcased the state’s and country’s maternal health shortcomings, particularly among African-American women.

* New law allows craft distilleries to skip distributors, sell limited amount of product to bars: Under the measure signed into law Friday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and effective immediately, distilleries producing up to 50,000 gallons of spirits annually can bypass liquor distributors and sell and deliver a maximum of 5,000 gallons. The law also allows “still pubs” to sell the booze made in-house and other alcoholic beverages, similar to how breweries can sell wine.

* Worker protection unit formed in attorney general’s office: The law gives the attorney general’s office express authority to investigate and file suit against employers who violate the Prevailing Wage Act, the Employee Classification Act, the Minimum Wage Law, the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act and the Wage Payment and Collection Act.

* Illinois Municipal League pushes pension consolidation talks as budget pressures mount: Cole said he wants lawmakers to address the issue during the six days they are in Springfield for the fall legislative session in October and November. The Illinois Municipal League has proposed a consolidation of public safety pensions funds to resemble the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, “which is the second-largest and best-funded pension system in the state,” according to a fact sheet the league produced.

* Pension Loophole Closed: The loophole allowed several Lake County Board members to draw their Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund pension while still serving on the county board. The new law requires any county board member or elected local governmental official to forfeit their salary at the beginning of their next term if they are receiving pension benefits for service as a county board member or elected officer.

* New law allows craft distilleries to skip distributors, sell limited amount of product to bars: Similar to small breweries and winemakers, Illinois’ craft distilleries are now allowed to sell a limited amount of products directly to bars, restaurants and retailers under a law that was sparked by a suburban state senator. Under the measure signed into law Friday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and effective immediately, distilleries producing up to 50,000 gallons of spirits annually can bypass liquor distributors and sell and deliver a maximum of 5,000 gallons. The law also allows “still pubs” to sell the booze made in-house and other alcoholic beverages, similar to how breweries can sell wine.

* New law extends insurance coverage for those with Lyme disease: The bill, sponsored by 74th Dist. Republican State Rep. Daniel Swanson, will require private-pay insurance to cover the medical costs associated with Lyme disease. “Lyme patients once they are coded as being a Lyme patient once treated with those 21 days of antibiotics their insurance will stop paying for their Lyme coverage. So we thought ‘we have to do something’,” Swanson said.