* Sen. Morrison…

State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure – which was signed by the governor Friday – to fill a significant gap in current Illinois law by giving victims of doxing a voice in deterring bad actors looking to take advantage of the evolving cyber landscape.

“As technology evolves, so must our laws,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “The measure signed into law today is a positive step toward providing a necessary solution to the dangerous practice of doxing, both by helping victims and deterring future bad actors.”

To give victims of doxing the justice they deserve, Morrison passed House Bill 2954. The law allows people a civil private right of action against the individual who committed the offense. The victim will be able to recover damages and any other appropriate relief, including attorney’s fees.

Doxing is the act of sharing an individual’s personal information without that person’s consent and with the intent to cause harm to the individual whose personal information is shared.

“Today marks a critical step forward in the fight against online hate in Illinois. Doxing victims will now have a critical ability to hold their attackers accountable in the aftermath of unspeakable pain,” said David Goldenberg, ADL Midwest Regional Director. “Thank you to Representative Gong-Gershowitz and Senator Morrison for their tremendous leadership in pushing this bill through the legislature, to Governor Pritzker for swiftly signing the bill into law, and to our robust coalition of partners who activated at each stage of the process. ADL is committed to fighting hate on all fronts and the evolving online landscape is no exception.”

House Bill 2954 was signed by the governor Friday.

* Sen. Doris Turner…

To encourage community gardening, incentives will be provided for affordable housing projects that incorporate urban and suburban gardening under a new initiative sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner that was signed into law Friday.

“We’ve seen the positive outcomes that come from community gardens,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “There’s an economic benefit that provides residents with the needed tools that they may not get otherwise and engages the community by encouraging people to spend more time outside.”

The new law allows the Illinois Housing Development Authority to develop a program that provides incentives for affordable housing projects that incorporate urban and suburban gardening.

Turner’s law requires IHDA to consult with the University of Illinois on the program, work with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to facilitate the distribution of produce from the garden, and provide all necessary tools for the garden.

“Food deserts leave people with few options for nutritious meals,” Turner said. “This is a great opportunity to provide fruits and vegetables to the residents who can’t easily access a grocery store.”

House Bill 3892 takes effect immediately.

* Sen. Murphy…

The price of insulin will be capped at $35 for a 30-day supply thanks to State Senator Laura Murphy.

“When Fredrick Banting discovered insulin in 1923, he refused to put his name on the patent: he believed it was unethical for a doctor to profit from a discovery that would save lives,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “He and his co-inventors sold the insulin patent for $1: they wanted everyone who needed their medication to be able to afford it. We need to lead by the example of Mr. Banting’s selflessness, and honor the legacy of selflessness on the 100 year anniversary of its discovery.”

Under the law the price of a 30-day supply of insulin will be capped at $35 for all private individual and group insurance policies. In addition, an insulin discount program will be established by the Department of Central Management Services. The program will begin July 1, 2025.

More than 10% of the U.S. population has diabetes according to the Diabetes Research Institute. One in 12 Illinoisans have insulin-dependent diabetes, approximately 1.3 million people. According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the cost of insulin has risen 600% in the last 20 years. Americans pay 10 times than that of citizens of 32 other nations – $98.70 on average compared to $8.81.

“Medication like insulin must be affordable for every individual who needs it,” Murphy said. “I am proud that Illinois has taken this important step, which will ensure that no one will need to ration or put off purchasing insulin when they need it.”

House Bill 2189 was signed into law by the governor on Friday.

* NASW Illinois…

Governor J.B. Pritzker has taken a momentous step toward fostering equity and inclusivity in the field of social work by signing a groundbreaking bill (HB2365) that establishes an alternative to the ASWB exam for clinical licensure. This landmark legislation marks a significant milestone in the quest to create a more equitable path for aspiring social workers, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to a diverse pool of talent across Illinois.

HB2365 builds on the success of previous legislation that removed the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam for non-independent clinical licensure and created a first-in-the-nation alternative to for independent clinical social workers to complete the licensure process.

The bill’s chief senate sponsor and licensed school social worker, Senator Karina Villa, MSW, said: “With social worker shortages hitting across the US, it is important to consider what is in the best interest of the people who need these types of services the most. By supporting people who are dedicated to empowering individuals and families, we can improve the quality of life for thousands of Illinoisans.”

The ASWB exam has long been a standard requirement for individuals seeking to enter the social work profession. However, this assessment has, at times, posed a barrier for many aspiring social workers who possess exceptional skills and abilities but face disparities in standardized testing environments. This new law reflects the governor’s continued commitment to dismantling systemic barriers and opening doors to a more diverse and talented social work workforce.

The bill’s chief house sponsor, Representative Lindsey LaPointe, MSW, added: “For all of us working to increase access to mental health supports in Illinois and nationwide, it’s crystal clear that our shortage of clinicians is a central issue. Once law, HB2365 will rapidly increase the social work workforce by removing the barrier of the LCSW exam—an exam shown to be racially and age biased. I’m proud that Illinois is leading the way to broaden and build up the mental health workforce with the ultimate goal of access.”

The bill’s implementation will incorporate an apprentice approach to evaluating the competence and capabilities of aspiring social workers, offering them a fair and unbiased opportunity to demonstrate their qualifications and take into account a broader range of factors such as practical experience, interpersonal skills, and the ability to navigate real-life scenarios that social workers often encounter on the job.

Latesha Newson, MSW, LCSW, board president of the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter (NASW-IL) stated: “NASW-IL couldn’t be prouder to have lent our support and resources to see this become a reality. This is a measure of justice; transformative justice for those who have been locked out of a profession that they are fully qualified and prepared to be in. As social workers, we are charged to remove barriers and challenge systems that perpetuate inequities to change, and we have done just that!”

As the new alternative assessment takes effect on January 1, 2024, it is anticipated that more social workers with disabilities, older social workers, and those from underrepresented backgrounds and marginalized communities will be empowered to pursue their passion for creating positive change and providing critical support to those in need. At a time when Illinois is facing a significant mental health workforce shortage, the state cannot afford to leave fully qualified professionals on the sidelines due to biased testing.

Cassandra Walker, LCSW, CCTP, an organizer for the #StopASWB coalition and owner of Intersections Center for Complex Healing, PLLC, reflected, “I hope that other professions and states follow our example and push this work further as it is clear that these kinds of tests are not making us safer, don’t measure what they claim, and generally weaken our ability to properly staff organizations in professions which already have massive shortages.”

Governor Pritzker’s decisive action in signing this bill underscores the importance of creating a diverse and equitable workforce in the field of social work and will serve as a nation-leading model for other states to follow.

* Sen. Peters…

Temporary workers will soon have increased safety, transparency and recourse thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters.

“Temp workers’ contributions to our economy are often overlooked and taken for granted, even though they often deal with the most unsafe work conditions,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This new law is long overdue. Temporary workers deserve to work in the same safe conditions as permanent workers.”

The Day and Temporary Labor Services Act requires staffing agencies to provide transportation and safety equipment to workers, provide an itemized list of wages due to workers and maintain records related to third party clients.

Peters’ law expands the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act to ensure safety and transparency for workers. Under the expansion, temporary laborers assigned to a third party client for more than 90 days will be paid no less than the rate of pay and equivalent benefits as the lowest paid hired employee of the client with the same level of seniority and performing the same or substantially similar work.

The measure also requires agencies to notify laborers that the assigned workplace is where a strike, lockout, or other labor trouble exists and that the laborers have a right to refuse the workplace assignment. Further, temporary and day labor service agencies must obtain information about a client company’s safety practices and provide training to workers on industry hazards they may encounter at the worksite.

“The expansion of the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act will bring an end to the hazardous workplace situations that many Black and Brown workers face,” Peters said. “A new normal is coming. I appreciate the work the Chicago Workers’ Collaborative, the Illinois AFL-CIO and State Representative Edgar Gonzalez have done to make this new normal a reality for a service sector that is often forgotten.”

House Bill 2862 was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.

* Sen. Murphy…

A new law will increase transparency between schools, students and parents regarding transfers to alternative schools thanks to support from State Senator Laura Murphy.

“Alternative schools are necessary for some students to thrive. These schools are designed to help educate those who need an extra push outside of traditional environments,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “However, students and their parents are often left in the dark when it comes to the nature of the programs, or even when they can return to regular school.”

Alternative schools are designed to educate students who have not been successful in regular schools, due to either behavioral or discipline issues. Both the sending school and the alternative school hold meetings regarding the student and establish an alternative education plan for them. Murphy’s measure will ensure that students and their parents or guardians are invited to participate in the meetings.

Before the effective date of the student’s transfer, the parents or guardians must be provided with the specific nature of the curriculum, number of students in the school, available services, disciplinary policies, typical daily schedule and extracurricular activities, under Murphy’s measure.

In addition, a meeting will need to be held with the student’s parent or guardian at least 30 days prior to the student’s planned return to regular schooling.

“We want all of our students to flourish,” Murphy said. “Establishing expectations and keeping open lines of communication will help ensure that students and their parents can make choices that are best for the student.”

Senate Bill 183 was signed into law on Friday.

…Adding… Last one I’m posting today…

Labor groups are celebrating the passage of the seminal Temp Worker Fairness and Safety Act (TWFSA), HB2862 into law upon the Governor’s signing of the bill earlier today. The bill had earlier passed the IL Senate by a bipartisan 49-3 vote and the IL House with a commanding majority of 72-36.

“It has long been the reality that the most vulnerable workers are also the least protected. The Temp Worker Fairness & Safety Act will change that by ensuring that temporary workers employed through staffing agencies receive the same rights and protections as any other worker,” said Jose Frausto, Executive Director of the Chicago Workers Collaborative. “This is a victory for all workers that was made possible by years of organizing by temp workers. We thank the Governor and the members of the General Assembly for standing with workers and showing, once again, that Illinois is a pro-worker, pro-labor state.”

“Latino and Black workers are the backbone of our economy, but they are also the most vulnerable when it comes to workplace abuse and exploitation. This bill was my number one priority because of the impact it would have on so many of my constituents,” said Representative Edgar Gonzalez, the bill’s lead House sponsor. “The Governor’s action today means an average of $4 more per hour for the thousands of temp workers in my district for work assignments that last more than 90 days. That’s as much as $8,000 a year more going into the pockets of working people, regardless of immigration status. District-wide, that will also mean millions more dollars going to support small businesses as the spending power of our community members increases.”

“Make no mistake, the Temp Worker Fairness and Safety Act is a historic bill that will set the bar for temp worker protections across the country. Over the past several decades, industry at large has shifted large parts of its workforce from well paying direct-hire, full-time roles, to part-time contract labor provided by third party staffing agencies. They’ve done this to depress wages and take shortcuts on worker safety by undercutting the power of workers to organize, to unionize, and to demand better. With this new law, we are sending a message that in Illinois, worker rights are not negotiable,” said Senator Robert Peters (IL-13), chief Senate sponsor for the bill.

“We are thrilled by the Governor’s decision to sign this important piece of legislation into law,” remarked Tim Drea, President of the IL AFL-CIO. “The Temp Worker Fairness and Safety Act builds on the success of the Workers Rights Amendment by restricting the practice of “permatemping” whereby workers are kept in “temporary” assignments for years, restricting their access to union jobs and creating a downward pressure on wages and working conditions for all workers. The IL AFL-CIO was proud to stand in solidarity with temp workers to advance this critical piece of worker legislation that will benefit all workers across Illinois and set an example for other states to follow.”

“Following wins in New Jersey and Illinois the goal of our movement is to undo the deregulation of the staffing agency industry that’s happened over the last several decades,” said Roberto Clack, Executive Director of Temp Worker Justice. “We are developing a road map to address pay inequities while strengthening workers ‘ ability to build power in the workplace.”

The TWFSA is a landmark law that updates the state’s Illinois Day and Temporary Services Act. Key provisions of the law include:

● Discouraging the practice of “permatemping” by guaranteeing equal pay for equal work for temps who are assigned to the same job for more than 90 calendar days
● Keeping workers safe by improving training and workplace safety standards for temps
● Ensuring that all temp workers have the right to refuse a strikebreaking assignment without being retaliated against
● Increasing funding for enforcement through increased fees and increased fines for violators of the act
● Expanding enforcement through an innovative enforcement mechanism that will allow for even enforcement of the law across the entire state of IL for the first time

The equal pay provision in the law follows the passage of a similar provision in New Jersey under the recently passed “Temp Worker Bill of Rights”. This is expected to have an immediate and significant material impact on temp workers who earn on average $4 less per hour than direct hire employees doing the same work.