* Some of these are either from Friday or over the weekend. Sen. Castro…

Construction workers who are not fairly compensated by subcontractors will soon be given an opportunity to collect unpaid wages, thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“Wage theft is a real problem, especially in the construction industry, which can have a complicated web of involved companies,” Castro said. “This law will provide a mechanism for the workers who have been slighted to receive their fair compensation and encourage primary contractors to employ reputable subcontractors.”

In a typical construction project, commercial property owners or developers will hire a primary contractor, also called a general contractor, to oversee a project. The general contractor will hire and coordinate with subcontractors, such as ones specializing in painting, window installation, electrical and more. Subcontractors employ their own workers to carry out their part of the project.

Under the new law, if a subcontractor fails to pay an employee, goes bankrupt or cannot pay their employee for any other reason, that employee can file a legal claim with the general contractor for any unpaid wages and benefits. Additionally, it requires the subcontractor to compensate the general contractor if this happens.

“Last year alone, 52,000 construction workers in Illinois reported payroll fraud,” Castro said. “These are real people who are going without their earned compensation, highlighting the pressing need for this law. I am pleased to see this signed to ensure our workers have an opportunity to be paid.”

The law includes exemptions for residential rehab and small commercial projects and does not include projects where a homeowner acts as their own general contractor. Additionally, it adds a statute of limitations for when complaints can be filed and creates a task force to consider innovative ways to bring bond reform to the construction industry.

The law, originally called House Bill 5412, was signed by the governor Friday and is effective immediately.

* Sen. Feigenholtz…

Restaurants, bars and retailers will be protected from unscrupulous delivery services thanks to an initiative spearheaded by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz that was signed into law Friday.

“Businesses have been victims of deceptive delivery services without their knowledge or consent,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “There are reasons some restaurants and bars may decide not to utilize delivery services. Protecting the brand and reputation that small businesses have worked to establish was a top priority and focus of this new law.”

House Bill 3205, also known as the Fair Food and Retail Delivery Act, prohibits third party delivery companies from posting a menu, registered trademark or any intellectual property without the express written consent of restaurants, bars and retail establishments.

Feigenholtz’ law bans third-party delivery services from listing non-partnered restaurants or retailers on their platform. Several reports indicate that these delivery services have listed menus and items without the knowledge or consent of the restaurant or retail establishment.

“I’m proud of the work we have done with this new law,” Feigenholtz said. “I hope that people will continue to support our local economies.”

The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2023.

* Sen. Villa…

Legislation sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) requiring the Governor’s Office of New Americans to create and oversee the implementation of a New American Statewide Plan was signed into law on Friday.

“One in seven Illinoisans is an immigrant,” Villa said. “People from across the world come here to make a new life, and we should do all we can to assist them in that endeavor.”

House Bill 1567 seeks to address immigrant and refugee integration issues in Illinois through the establishment of a New American Statewide Plan. Under the legislation, the Governor’s Office of New Americans would be required to put together a plan to ensure their essential duties are being performed.

The Office of New Americans is responsible for welcoming and supporting immigrants and refugees in Illinois and ensuring they have the resources necessary to successfully integrate into the social, cultural, economic, and civic life of the United States, including access to quality English language learning programs.

“We want all immigrants and refugees who come to Illinois to feel welcome in their new home,” Villa said. “By working alongside the Governor’s Office of New Americans to ensure they have the necessary resources to thrive, we lay a strong foundation for new beginnings.”

The legislation will go into effect Jan. 1, 2023.

* Sen. Peters…

A task force to investigate missing and murdered women in Chicago will be established after a measure supported by Senator Robert Peters was signed into law.

“For too long, the families of Black and Brown women have been left with no answers about the loss of their loved ones,” said Peters (D - Chicago). “Everyone, regardless of zip code, deserves justice, and every community deserves real public safety. This task force will help us provide justice for these families and provide guidance on how to address these cases.”

The new law creates the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women, which will examine and report on the systemic causes behind violence that Chicago women and girls experience.

The report will explore methods for tracking and collecting data on violence against Chicago women and girls, policies and institutions that impact violence against them, measures necessary to address and reduce violence against them, and ways to help victims and their families and communities.

“Women that go missing or turn up murdered anywhere is unacceptable, and in Chicago specifically, we’ve found this to be a pressing issue,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D - Chicago). “The families of Black and Brown women that are missing or murdered are even less likely to get answers. We need to get to the root of the problem to protect our women and girls.”

HB 3988 was signed into law Friday and the task force will submit its report by Dec. 31. 2024.

* Sen. Fine…

Thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview), pharmaceutical companies will now be required to establish a drug take-back program statewide, ensuring unused prescription drugs stay out of the hands of our children and our drinking water.

“Drug take-back programs are essential to keeping prescription medications out of the hands of our loved ones who could become addicted to these substances,” Senator Fine said. “In addition, these vital programs ensure prescription medications do not contaminate our environment.”

Many unused medicines are frequently flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink, causing harmful chemicals to end up in lakes, rivers, and groundwater, which can harm the ecosystem.

“Public safety is always top of mind for me, and the unsafe disposal of prescription drugs poses a real public health hazard,” said Rep. Gong Gershowitz, the House Sponsor of HB 1780. “40 million Americans drank from water sources contaminated by prescription drugs last year. It’s time we cut that number down to 0, and Illinois is going to do its part.”

While some counties in Illinois have already established similar programs, there is currently no statewide system in place. This law will provide a convenient way to safely dispose of unused medications, no matter what county you reside.

House Bill 1780 was signed into law June 10, 2022. It goes into effect immediately.

* Sen. Sara…

A measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz will allow Chicago firefighters to add MRSA to the list of occupational disease disability benefits if they contract the infection on duty.

“In recent years, firefighters have seen increased staph infections, including MRSA,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Including MRSA on the list of covered protections for firefighters will aid in stopping the spread of the infection.”

The new law aligns Chicago firefighters with downstate firefighters by extending an occupational disease disability benefit to any active Chicago firefighter who has completed seven or more years of service and can’t perform their duties because of a contagious staph infection including MRSA.

“Firefighters risk their lives daily and serve as our first responders in many situations,” Feigenholtz said. “Aligning Chicago firefighter protections with downstate firefighters levels the playing field across the state. Illinois’ first responders have gone above and beyond to save many people in Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new law makes sense given the challenges they face every day.”

Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4435 on Friday, June 10. The law took effect immediately.

* IPI…

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill yesterday that amends Illinois’ Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship program to protect already-enrolled students. It is effective immediately.

House Bill 4126, sponsored by state Rep. Curtis Tarver, D-Chicago, grants super-priority status to current recipients of the Invest in Kids scholarship, providing assurance to families in the program that if students receive a scholarship one year, they will be first in line for a scholarship the next year. The legislation also gives schools greater flexibility to offer more partial scholarships.

But the program is currently set to expire Dec. 31, 2023, Illinois Policy Institute experts point out. That potentially leaves thousands of families’ futures uncertain.

“We’re pleased to see this bill signed into law as these scholarships can be life-changing for low-income families who wish to provide their children an education that fits their unique needs,” said Amy Korte, executive vice president for the Illinois Policy Institute. “The next step is ensuring the program will last beyond another year and can be there for the long term for students in need.”

* Gov. Pritzker…

In recognition of National Men’s Health Month, Governor JB Pritzker today signed legislation requiring health insurance and managed care plans to allow for prostate cancer screenings.

Under House Bill 5318, health insurance and managed care plans are required to provide prostate cancer screenings without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement. This legislation is effective Jan. 1, 2024.

“Preventative healthcare is the best healthcare of all, and it shouldn’t break the bank to access it,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “My administration is hard at work knocking down the walls that too often separate working families from their healthiest, happiest lives. In Illinois, we’re building the kind of healthcare system that people deserve because we know that healthcare is a right, not a privilege.”

About 1 man in 8 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, with an average diagnosis age of 66. Roughly 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older, although diagnosis is rare in men under 40. In 2022 alone, there have been roughly 268,000 new cases of prostate cancer, with 34,500 deaths from the disease.

* Sen. Stadelman…

To help service members who are transitioning from active duty to the workforce, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) championed a law to designate the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs as the primary assistance agency under the U.S. SkillBridge Program that helps employers find skilled workers.

“We are assisting former military residents with transitioning back into the workforce by creating a hub of resources for them to use,” Stadelman said. “Through IDVA, veterans will find assistance where they can find benefits as well, and work toward returning to a job that fulfils them.”

The program was recently suggested by the AAR Corp. to help transition veterans to jobs within similar fields and to assist with efforts in increasing the workforce at the Rockford Airport.

House Bill 5385 designates IDVA as the primary statewide assistance organization under the U.S. Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program, which matches service members who are transitioning from active duty with workforce development opportunities at participating employers.

The SkillBridge program helps active duty members gain job experience and transition to civilian workforce by matching service members with opportunities at participating businesses where their skill sets match.

“This program will help veterans return to work after their time in service,” Stadelman said. “Veterans should be able to find the assistance they need in a singular place, whether it be for health, home, or for a job, we are going to be here to help them.”

House Bill 5385 was signed by the governor on Friday.

* Sen. Joyce and Rep. Hurley…

A Senator Patrick Joyce and Representative Fran Hurley measure to give taxpayers more opportunities to provide support and resources to first responders was signed into law Friday.

“First responders put their lives on the line for our community and we should have an easier option to give back,” said Joyce (D-Essex).

House Bill 4161 aims to increase donations to the 100 Club of Illinois by making a convenient donation option on individual state income tax returns. The 100 Club of Illinois is a nonprofit that provides resources, financial support, training and moral support to both the families of first responders killed in the line of duty and active duty first responders. All sworn federal, state, county and local first responders stationed in Illinois are included.

“I will continue to fight for legislation that benefits first responders and their families,” said Hurley (D-Chicago).

Similar donation options on state individual tax returns include the Wildlife Preservation Fund, Diabetes Research Fund, Hunger Relief Fund, among others.

“The 100 Club of Illinois has been serving the first responder community for more than 55 years. We are grateful for the opportunity to further promote the mission of the Club,” said 100 Club of Illinois CEO Caitlyn Brennan. “Funds brought in through this program will assist the Club in providing support to the families of our fallen heroes and the larger first responder community of Illinois.”

House Bill 4161 takes effect immediately. The 100 Club of Illinois Fund checkoff will be available starting next year.

* Restore Justice Illinois…

Thank you Governor JB Pritzker, Senator Laura Fine, Representative Robyn Gabel, and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) for creating more transparency for families with loved ones who are incarcerated. Today, Governor Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3180 into law. Senator Fine and Representative Gabel ushered the bill through passage in their respective chambers.

SB 3180 will require IDOC to publish an annual report on issues being raised by family members. With the annual report, legislators can identify opportunities to address significant concerns in future policymaking.

“While I was confined in the Illinois Department of Corrections for more than 20 years, my loved ones visited many times. These visits were so important to me. On more than one occasion, a loved one traveled from out of the country to see me and was denied a visit. We did not have a meaningful remedy at the time,” said Marcelo de Jesus Velazquez.

“Thankfully, today, the calls and needs of people who are currently and formerly incarcerated and our families will no longer go unanswered.”

The Illinois General Assembly established the Family Liaison (also called the Point of Contact) in 2021 by unanimously passing Public Act 102-535. This position gives family members someone to call if they are turned away from or mistreated in visiting rooms; people with incarcerated loved ones can share complaints, suggestions, and requests with the Point of Contact to help ensure they are able to communicate with their family members. However, many family members who call and email the Point of Contact say their issues are left unresolved.

Senate Bill 3180 will ensure families have additional transparency and accountability by identifying significant areas for improvement.

“This legislation addresses family members and loved ones. We are talking about mothers and fathers, people who will now have recourse when their visits are denied or if they feel they have been mistreated,” said Julie Anderson, who has a son incarcerated in Illinois.