* WGN…

Few things receive near-unanimous support in the Illinois legislature, but a bill to crack down on squatters came close.

“We have people simply trespassing on people’s property who don’t belong there, squatting and taking residence up on their own,” said State Rep. Jawaharial Williams (D-Chicago).

His bill changes state law to differentiate squatters from tenants and forego the months-long eviction process. It passed unanimously in the Illinois House and received only a single “no” vote in the state senate. The bill, SB1563, needs Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature to become law. […]

Real estate attorneys say criminals have been known to break into unoccupied homes and then pose as landlords offering prospective tenants a fake lease. They then take advantage of state law meant to protect true tenants from wrongful evictions.

* WAND…

A plan led by state Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) would keep the current state and federal occupational health and safety policies for some jobs. Coal miners, warehouse and factory workers will continue to have the same safety laws even if the federal government removes them. […]

This bill would also ensure the state maintains the same wages for those workers, even if the federal government reduces their pay.

While receiving support from his fellow Democrats, Republicans raised their concerns on the proposal. Speaking on the concerns raised by businesses, state Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) said creating state specific laws for interstate businesses will cause major issues. […]

Peter’s bill passed out of the Senate on a partisan 38-19-1 vote. It will now head to the House for further debate.

* Sen. Cristina Castro…

As the federal government takes steps to dismantle agencies and lay off qualified public servants who administer key programs serving millions of Americans, State Senator Cristina Castro is moving forward with a plan to protect state-administered federal programs from future interference.

“Here in Illinois, we aren’t going to sit by while the health care and food assistance programs our neighbors rely on are hollowed out and job opportunities are eroded,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This legislation is key to making sure dedicated public servants — who serve vulnerable residents in need — aren’t left on the chopping block.”

Federal merit systems — standards that states must adhere to for employees who administer specific grant programs — have been in place since the passage of the Civil Service Act in 1883. These standards are meant to ensure the individuals responsible for federal dollars are highly qualified, treated fairly, safeguarded from discrimination, compensated adequately and protected from partisan coercion. Programs currently covered by federal merit requirements include Medicaid, aging programs, unemployment insurance, SNAP, foster care and adoption assistance, and several grant programs serving people with disabilities and families with dependent children.

Under Castro’s measure, the current personnel merit requirements would be codified in state law, ensuring that if the federal government weakens or eliminates its requirements, key programs like unemployment insurance, SNAP and Medicaid will continue to be administered in Illinois by qualified, capable state employees. […]

House Bill 1586 passed the Senate Labor Committee Tuesday.

* Center Square…

The state Senate passed House Bill 1189 Wednesday afternoon. The measure calls for Illinois’ prevailing wage to override federal prevailing wage for federal projects if the state wage is higher.

State Sen. Christopher Belt, D-Swansea, was asked about the bill’s constitutionality and higher taxpayer costs potentially leading to fewer projects in Illinois.

“I really don’t think that’s the issue,” Belt said. “Other states are currently doing it. The Missouri Department of Transportation right now implements this. Minnesota, California and Washington are among three other states that right now implement this very legislation that we’re looking at trying to enact.” […]

Forty senators voted in favor of the bill and 18 voted against it. House Bill 1189 can now be sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker. If he signs it, the law would take effect July 1.

* WCIA…

Illinoisans could soon have access to emergency birth control straight from pharmacists — and no prescription would be needed from a doctor.

The Illinois Senate Executive Committee passed a bill to update the state’s Pharmacy Practice Act. This would let pharmacists in Illinois dispense the emergency contraceptive ulipristal acetate — more commonly known as Ella — and other non-hormonal options as a way to prevent pregnancy. […]

“Women come in all shapes and sizes so it only stands to reason that medication should be tailored to them as needed,” [Sen. Rachel Ventura] said. “By allowing pharmacists to prescribe all types of contraceptives, including non-hormonal options, this bill aims to improve access so that every individual can make the best choice for birth control.” […]

It passed the committee with seven votes in favor and three against. It has already passed the House and is now headed to the Senate floor for further debate.

* Capitol News Illinois…

The Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that adds new anti-bias education requirements for providers of maternal health services.

The measure is aimed at combating maternal mortality in marginalized groups. If signed into law, it would mandate providers receive one hour of training prior to renewing a state license, starting in July 2026. The Senate passed the bill on a 44-12 vote, following its passage 82-29 in the House in April. It needs only a signature from Gov. JB Pritzker to become law.

The training required by House Bill 2517 would educate providers on historic racial discrepancies in maternal care in an effort to reduce implicit biases among providers. Health care professionals would be allowed to count completion of the course toward minimum continuing education requirements.

“As a country, the United States is the most dangerous place to give birth in the developed world, and it’s three times as dangerous for Black people,” said Kelly Hubbard, director of policy and advocacy at EverThrive Illinois, where she works to advocate for optimal maternal health policies. That statistic comes from the Illinois Department of Public Health’s 2023 Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report.

* Sen. Robert Peters…

Seeking to reinforce the supportive role of the Department of Children and Family Services, State Senator Robert Peters advanced legislation aiming to remove the agency’s authority to operate its own law enforcement agency.

“DCFS should be a source of help for families in need, not a force of intimidation,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This bill would create a necessary boundary to ensure families in crisis are met with care, not criminalization.”

Peters’ measure would remove the department’s statutory authority to appoint personnel to act as peace officers in counties with more than 500,000 people. Instead, it would reaffirm that any law enforcement needs involving DCFS would be handled by local or state police.

For families already navigating difficult situations, the bill would offer peace of mind and clarity, reinforce trust between communities and DCFS, and reduce chances of escalation.

“When families turn to DCFS they’re often facing some of the hardest moments of their lives,” said Peters. “It’s our duty to make sure these families receive the support they’re seeking, and this bill does that.”

House Bill 1715 passed the Senate Wednesday.

* WAND…

An Illinois bill to expand access to Alzheimer’s treatment is heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk.

Legislation signed into law last year required the state employees insurance program to cover medically necessary FDA-approved treatments and medications to slow progression of the disease. The law also requires coverage for diagnostic testing for doctors to determine the best treatment or medication starting July 1.

Now, lawmakers want to require this coverage for patients on any health insurance plan.

“This requirement applies to private health insurance plans regulated by the state, self-insuring counties, self-insuring municipalities, self-insuring school districts, health maintenance organizations, and limited health service organizations,” said Rep. Mary Gill (D-Chicago)

* Capitol News Illinois…

Another bill that cleared the General Assembly would require all school buses in K-12 schools to have seat belts on them.

According to Senate Bill 191, any school buses made after 2031 would be required to have seat belts that go over the lap and shoulders of all passengers.

The bill doesn’t require school district staff, a contractor or any entity in charge of school buses to make sure students are wearing seat belts; it would just require new buses to have them.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists on its website that buses are designed so “children are protected from crashes by strong, closely spaced seats that have energy-absorbing seat backs.” Short school buses already require seat belts because they are closer in weight to normal cars.

* Sen. Rachel Ventura…

To support ongoing efforts aimed at protecting and revitalizing local landscapes and ecosystems, State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Anna Moeller advanced legislation through the Senate that would create new rewilding strategies by giving the Illinois Department of Natural Resources more authority to implement conservation tactics. […]

House Bill 2726 would grant the Illinois Department of Natural Resources more power to implement rewilding as a conservation strategy. This could include the restoration of land to its natural state, the reintroduction of native species — particularly apex predators and keystone species — and the restoration of ecological processes as defined by state-specific baselines.

“Rewilding” means to restore an area of land to its natural uncultivated state. This term is used especially with reference to the reintroduction of species of wild animals that have been driven out of an area or exterminated by human interference. […]

Under current law, IDNR currently has no statutory authority to take measures that are necessary for the implementation of rewilding as a conservation strategy in Illinois. Illinois would be the first state to explicitly pass legislation on rewilding, advancing efforts to preserve and protect species.

House Bill 2726 passed the Senate on Wednesday.