* The Tribune…

[The Tribune] reported in November that if a patient in need of guardianship had property or other assets, hospitals and their lawyers usually asked the court to appoint a certain private care management organization as guardian. That organization often charges more for its services than county public guardians, which along with fees billed by lawyers working on the cases can quickly drain a person’s savings, the Tribune found.

[A] bill, filed last week, would require the appointment of a state or county public guardian, if one is available, when hospitals, nursing homes or similar institutions file guardianship petitions in court.

State Rep. Marti Deuter, an Elmhurst Democrat in the second year of her first term, said she is working with AARP Illinois on the legislation. The Tribune’s two-part series underscores the need for reforms, she said. […]

Earlier versions of the bill failed to pass in 2024 and 2025 when introduced under former state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, who left the legislature last year when she became a judge. The earlier measure faced heavy opposition, including from the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, whose concerns included the possibility that the change could cause some patients to remain hospitalized beyond medical necessity.

* Rep. Kam Buckner filed HB4437 today…

Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides that, upon request by an owners licensee authorized to conduct casino gambling in the City of Chicago and upon a showing of good cause by the owners licensee, the Illinois Gaming Board shall extend the period during which the licensee may conduct gaming at a temporary facility by up to 18 months and may authorize no more than 2 additional 3-month extensions.

Bally’s has been operating in a temporary casino at Medinah Temple since September 2023. According to the Tribune, its three-year temporary license is set to expire in September.

* HB4439 from Rep. Will Guzzardi…

Amends the County Motor Fuel Tax Law in the Counties Code. Provides that any county (currently, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Will, and McHenry counties only) may impose a tax upon all persons engaged in the business of selling motor fuel. Provides that, in addition to other uses currently allowed by law, the proceeds from the tax shall be used for the purpose of maintaining and constructing essential transportation-related infrastructure.

* Journal Courier…

A new bill in the Illinois House would amend the Sexual Assault Incident Procedure Act and give more rights to sexual abuse and sexual assault victims.

Filed by Democratic Rep. Daniel Didech, the amendment would require “a law enforcement officer shall inform a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse of the right to request that any interview or statement be conducted in the presence of a law enforcement officer of a particular sex or gender, if one is reasonably available.”

House Bill 4394 also states that if an officer of the requested sex or gender is not reasonably available, interviews may proceed “without unnecessary delay.” The legislation also outlines limits on law enforcement conduct during sexual assault and sexual abuse investigations.

The bill states, “No law enforcement officer shall require a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse to submit to an interview. No law enforcement agency may refuse to complete a written report as required. … A law enforcement officer shall not discourage or attempt to discourage a victim from filing a police report concerning sexual assault or sexual abuse.”

* HB4434 from Rep. Nicolle Grasse…

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Creates the End-of-life Care Peer Support Program. Provides that the program is available to terminally ill persons committed to the Department of Corrections. Provides that the program shall be administered by the Department of Corrections in partnership with certain health care providers. Provides that individual patients may accept or decline care or participation in the program. Provides that individual patients shall define the scope of peer support, including the option to opt out of certain aspects of support. Provides that patient care plans shall be developed with the individual patient, the patient’s peer support attendants, and the interdisciplinary team. Provides that participating patients shall be subject to the least restrictive security measures possible, with access to comfort items such as blankets, memorabilia, music, and books. Provides that participating patients shall have the following rights: (1) the right to dignity, privacy, respect, and culturally competent care; (2) the right to request peer support services; (3) the right to refuse services; and (4) the right to request family visitation. Provides that all participants in the program, including patients and peer support attendants, shall have access to grief counseling and mental health care services as needed. Provides that the program shall be funded through: (1) the Individual Benefit Fund; (2) direct appropriations from the General Revenue Fund; and (3) federal appropriations if applicable.

* The Intelligencer…

Two bills moving through the Illinois House would boost how much dentists are paid by the state to treat children, a change aimed at improving access to dental care for families who rely on state assistance.

House Bill 4393 would effectively raise state payments by 33% for a wide range of dental services provided to children, from routine checkups to fillings and extractions.

In addition, House Bill 4392 reads, “the reimbursement rates for all dental services for children shall be increased 50% above the rates (that were) in effect on Dec. 31, 2025.” […]

The bills were filed by Democratic Rep. Joyce Mason, who represents Illinois’ 61st House district, which spans communities north of Chicago to the Wisconsin border.