* Capitol News Illinois…

Gov. JB Pritzker plans to take on the state’s health insurance industry this year by calling for legislation to curb many of the standard practices they use to hold down costs and boost profits.

He plans to outline those reforms in his State of the State and budget address Wednesday, according to an advance excerpt of his speech, kicking off a process that will eventually require approval from lawmakers.

Pritzker’s “Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act” will include a package of proposals aimed at controlling strategies that insurers use to reduce the amount of health care patients receive.

It also includes new requirements for insurers to offer enough in-network doctors to meet consumers’ needs, as well as state regulatory control over rate increases in the large group insurance plans similar to regulations lawmakers approved last year for small group policies.

* Times Weekly…

Local seniors would receive relief from high property taxes under new, progressive solutions backed by state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, expanding property tax freezes and refunds for low-income seniors.

“It is of utmost importance that we continue to prioritize legislation that benefits all groups in Illinois, and these two key bills reaffirm my commitment to expanding opportunities for the senior community, especially those who are struggling financially,” said Avelar. “With these pivotal bills, we are uplifting a community that needs it most. By providing more resources and lenient paths to receive tax freezes or refunds, we are lifting a burden off our senior community who rely on these benefits to get by.”

Avelar is sponsoring House Bill 2529 and House Bill 3511, which will expand benefits to low-income senior citizens. House Bill 2529, the Senior Property Tax Freeze, will increase the maximum income allotment for low-income senior citizens to receive benefits by $10,000 — from $65,000 to $75,000, reaching a key audience who were not able to benefit from this tax freeze previously.

House Bill 3511 proposes an important amendment to tax legislation, particularly benefiting senior citizens. Under this bill, seniors would be eligible for a property tax refund, irrespective of whether they applied for the homestead exemption, which typically covers up to $15,000 of property equity. This legislation expands the avenues through which seniors can access tax exemptions, ensuring that even those who miss the application window can still benefit from financial relief on their property taxes.

* WTVO…

The bills mandate insurers and Medicaid to cover home test kits, create “rapid start” HIV treatment pilot sites and make HIV education available in county jails.

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago supports the bills. They say the bills make ending the HIV epidemic a priority and take steps to achieve health equity in communities impacted the most.

“If we want to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our state by 2030, then we have to make preventative care like PrEP and PEP accessible to all Illinoisans,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These medications are incredibly effective at preventing infection and transmission, and they are essential to our mission of Getting to Zero.” […]

One of the bills provides that the African American HIV/AIDS Response Fund creates and maintains at least one Black-led Center of Excellence HIV Biomedical Resource Hub for every $3,000,000 of available funding, according to Illinois.gov.

* HB5667 from Rep. Hoan Huynh was referred to Rules earlier this week…

Provides legislative findings. Appropriates specified amounts to the Department of Public Health for grants, expenses, and administrative costs of programs relating to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and human immunodeficiency virus; the Getting to Zero-Illinois plan to end the HIV epidemic by 2030; the prevention, screening, and treatment services to address sexually transmitted infection cases; and the PrEP4Illinois Program to provide client navigation for pre-exposure prophylaxis services and medication access. Contains other provisions. Effective July 1, 2024.

* HB5668 from Rep. Kevin Schmidt…

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who open and operate a supermarket or grocery store in a food desert community designated by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that the credit shall be in an amount equal to the total amount the taxpayer is assessed in property taxes for the location at which the supermarket or grocery store is located during the full taxable year that the supermarket or grocery store is open for business to the public. Effective immediately.

* SB2644 from Sen. Julie Morrison was assigned to the Judiciary committee…

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall establish an electronic registry, to be known as the Advance Directive Registry, through which residents of the State of Illinois may deposit, with the Secretary of State, a completed Department of Public Health Uniform POLST form. Specifies that information in the Advance Directive Registry shall be made available to hospitals licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act and hospitals organized under the University of Illinois Hospital Act. Authorizes hospitals to rely on information obtained from the Advance Directive Registry as an accurate copy of the documents filed with the Advance Directive Registry. Directs the Secretary of State to adopt any rules necessary to implement the amendatory Act and to provide information on the Secretary of State’s website regarding use of the Advance Directive Registry. Provides that, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct, the Secretary of State and employees of the Secretary of State are immune from any civil or criminal liability in connection with the creation and maintenance of the Advance Directive Registry. Provides that a person who knowingly submits a document to the Advance Directive Registry without authorization or assists in such submission shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

* Sen. Dave Koehler…

State Senator Dave Koehler is spearheading an initiative to incentivize landlords to improve properties and address urban decay in the greater Peoria area, giving residents improved housing opportunities throughout the community.

“Peoria has seen a rapid decline in population recently, leading to vacant properties and businesses closing their doors,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “In order to keep our families here, we need to invest in our neighborhoods.”

Under current law, only newly built single family homes and duplexes qualify for a tax break. Senate Bill 2936 would allow remodeled homes and duplexes in areas of urban decay to qualify for this tax break, giving landlords an incentive to upgrade properties in order to revitalize neighborhoods.

“This bill gives our community the tools to bolster our economy, provide adequate housing and present new opportunities for our residents,” said Koehler. “I am proud to call Peoria my home, and I want everyone in our community to feel the same way I do about our city.”

Senate Bill 2936 passed the Senate Revenue Committee on Wednesday and heads to the Senate floor for further discussion.

* The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence…

Today, Gov. JB Prtizker released his FY2025 budget proposal, including specific funding proposals for gender-based violence prevention and services.

Amanda Pyron, Executive Director of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, released the following statement in response:

“Gender-based violence continues to impact too many families across Illinois, and we must do more to both prevent violent acts and support survivors. We continue to see an increase in calls to the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline as well as an increase in total injuries and deaths from domestic violence shootings in Illinois and Chicago. Across Illinois, there were 19 domestic violence-related homicides in January alone. Funding for gender-based violence services was increased in recent years, and we are encouraged that Gov. Prtizker’s proposal keeps this funding intact.

“In addition to the budget, we are laser focused on passing Karina’s Bill (HB4469/SB2633) to help strengthen the firearm remedy within orders of protection and get guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. We look forward to working with legislators and the governor’s office to pass this critical legislation, as well as to secure needed resources in the FY25 budget for providers across Cook County and the state.”