* Another Peters bill-signing press release…

A new law sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) expands the rights of victims and survivors of violent crimes to take unpaid time off work.

“Trauma can often be a life-changing experience, so victims and survivors of violent crimes and their families should be able to deal with that trauma on their own time without having to risk losing their jobs,” Peters said. “Otherwise, we’re creating a situation where a person might experience serious trauma and then suffer loss of livelihood as a result.”

House Bill 3582 extends the Victims Economic and Safety Act, which entitles victims and survivors and families of victims and survivors of domestic, sexual or gender violence to various amounts of unpaid leave from work to deal with the trauma caused by the experience. The new law extends the act to include victims of any other type of violent crime and provides protections against discriminatory acts from employers.

“Trauma should never beget more trauma,” Peters said.

The legislation received bipartisan support from both chambers of the General Assembly. Gov. JB Pritzker signed it into law Friday, and it is effective immediately.

His comms person better get a nice holiday bonus. [They accidentally sent the wrong release, so content has been changed.]

* WCIA…

Governor Pritzker signed a package of legislation to expand protection for immigrants and refugee communities in Illinois on Thursday.

Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 709 and House Bill 2790 into law. Officials said the new laws provide residents in Cook County with legal representation and launches information campaigns to help immigrants and refugees in Illinois understand their rights.

“The legislation I’m signing today builds on our nation-leading efforts to make Illinois a welcoming state for immigrants and refugees,” said Gov. Pritzker. “I’m proud that these critical protections advance our mission to give our immigrant neighbors the equitable representation that they deserve. Everyone should feel safe and secure in the place they call home and I remain committed to ensuring that our efforts to protect immigrants define what it means to live, work, and thrive in Illinois.”

* ISMS press release…

[Yesterday’s] action by Governor Pritzker to sign into law the Prior Authorization Reform Act (House Bill 711) is a major victory for reducing the bureaucratic barriers for Illinois patients to receive the medical treatment they need in a timely manner.

“The misuse of prior authorization has caused delays and denials to patients who may need potentially life-saving care. Our hope is that by enacting this law, patients will get the medical care they deserve and need without unnecessary delays,” said Regan Thomas, MD, President, Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS).

With bipartisan support in both chambers, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously approved ISMS’ top initiative during the Spring legislative session.
The law requires important, substantive changes to health insurer prior authorization practices. These require that:

• Health insurance companies respond to prior authorization requests within well-defined shortened and more immediate timelines for urgent and non-urgent care; no one will have to wait longer than one week for an answer from their health insurance company
• Insurers use medical professionals with relevant experience in the appropriate specialty to make prior authorization decisions
• Clear and definite time frames be in place for how long a prior authorization approval is valid for acute and chronic conditions to avoid disruptions in medical care for patients who are stable on a prescribed treatment
• Prior authorization requirements are transparent and follow evidence-based guidelines

ISMS has been leading this fight for reform along with many other healthcare and patient advocacy organizations as part of the Your Care Can’t Wait Coalition.
“The issues with prior authorization became so cumbersome that when we conducted a survey of Illinois physicians, more than 95% reported that this process had caused harm to their patients,” Dr. Thomas noted. “The physicians of Illinois appreciate that the Governor and the General Assembly have supported this legislation to make sure patients receive the medical care and treatment they deserve without delays.”

The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2022. It applies to state-regulated insurance plans, including Medicaid. It does not apply to federally regulated ERISA plans or Medicare.

* Press release…

Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation today that creates a path for the compassionate release of medically incapacitated individuals by the Prison Review Board (PRB). House Bill 3665, also known as the Joe Coleman Medical Release Act, reflects the administration’s commitment to bringing about true, meaningful reform in the justice system.

“By signing the Joe Coleman Medical Release Act into law, it’s my intention to honor Joe Coleman’s legacy as a father, as a veteran, as a man who spent his days raising funds for charity from behind bars,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thanks to the many advocates and General Assembly sponsors Senator John Connor and Representative Will Guzzardi, more families will get to say goodbye to their loved ones the way we all hope to get to when the time comes: together. This is another step toward the world, the Illinois, our families deserve. And I’m proud to turn it into law today.”

To provide dignity for all Illinois residents in their final days, HB 3665 allows for the discretionary early release of those who are medically incapacitated or terminally ill and serving time in an Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) facility.

“This bill creates policy that honors people’s humanity while at the same time prioritizing public safety,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “I am proud that Illinois is leading with compassion and bringing a restorative justice lens to criminal justice policy making.”

…Adding… Press release…

Joined by state lawmakers and survivors of domestic violence, today Governor JB Pritzker signed seven pieces of legislation into law to address domestic violence and remove some of the obstacles survivors face.

“Every difficult choice and obstacle we eliminate for victims of domestic violence unlocks an opportunity for them to prioritize their safety,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “While our work to make Illinois a safer and more compassionate state for survivors is not done, I am heartened by the steps we have taken today.”

“As chair of the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, we have been focused on preventing gender-based violence and supporting survivors,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “I am thankful that Governor Pritzker is prioritizing gender-based violence and his signature on these bills is just one more example of how we are working to make Illinois safer, more equitable, and empowering for women and girls.”

“A permanent Illinois Forensic Science Commission will drive improvements in the collection and analysis of forensic evidence,” said ISP Assistant Deputy Director of Division of Forensic Services Robin Woolery. “An Illinois Forensic Science Commission will be a forum for discussions between forensic science stakeholders to improve communication and coordination and ultimately empower them to monitor and address the important issues. By taking a strong systems-based approach, Illinois can further address the inefficiencies that contribute to backlogs.”

More at the link.

…Adding… Press release…

Building on efforts to fully support workers and their families, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation that lowers employee contributions to the CTA’s Retiree Health Care Trust while maintaining 100% funding. The law allows workers to take home every hard-earned dollar possible, while protecting their full benefits and healthcare they earned upon retirement.

“This is progress made possible because this promise is properly funded. It’s proof that, with patience, determination and commitment, Illinois is a state where commitments to our retirees can be responsibly fulfilled,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’ve been proud to put Springfield back on the side of working families throughout the state. In partnership with the General Assembly, this is yet another step we’re taking to build back our state after years of neglecting our workers.” ”

…Adding… Press release…

Building on efforts to expand mental health services, Governor JB Pritzker today signed House Bill 1778 into law, helping to prevent teen suicide in high schools, colleges and universities by combatting mental health crises. The legislation was championed by students from Naperville Central, who formed the nonprofit Beyond Charity, to raise mental health awareness.

“As many students have spent more time isolated from friends, teachers, and even family, it is more important than ever they have resources to remind them they are not alone,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thanks to the legislation I am signing today, next year, all middle school, high school, and public university student IDs will feature the numbers for crisis hotlines. Every student – regardless of their grade, school, and struggles – will carry an affirmation that mental health matters – with a life-saving resource in their back pocket.”

Named after the Naperville nonprofit, the Beyond Charity Law requires public high schools and institutions of higher education to add contact information for suicide prevention on school IDs. The legislation will ensure that students in sixth through 12th grade, as well as colleges and universities have contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and either the Safe2Help Illinois or a local suicide prevention hotline on their ID cards.

…Adding… Press release…

Governor JB Pritzker today signed legislation that establishes the Childhood Anaphylactic Policy, creating added safety measures for students with life-threatening allergies. House Bill 102 provides guidance to school districts and daycares regarding anaphylactic reactions, furthering the administration’s commitment to making Illinois’ educational systems safe and inclusive for all students.

“I’m glad that the Childhood Anaphylactic Policy will not only provide comfort to parents of children with severe allergies, but it will better equip daycares and K-12 schools with the expertise to help these kids,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As a parent myself, I’m intent upon making Illinois the best state in the nation to raise a young family. Thanks to this bill, we’re locking in another piece of the puzzle today.”

In an effort to better help schools protect all students, House Bill 102 requires the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to establish anaphylaxis policies and procedures for school districts and daycare settings.