* WAND…

Illinois Senate Democrats hope to tackle SNAP benefit fraud by requiring the state to use smart chip cards instead of traditional EBT cards.

Sponsors told reporters Wednesday that most SNAP fraud in Illinois comes from people skimming magnetic strip EBT cards.

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) said California saw food and cash benefits fraud drop by 83% after the state transitioned to smart chip EBT cards. […]

“An approximation of the cost to upgrade our system [with Fiedelity Information Services] is $50 million,” Simmons said. “Upon renewal, the new contract needs to include the transition to smart card chips. We know that the technology can start as soon as the summer of 2027.”

Senate Democrats hope for strong bipartisan support for the measure. Simmons and Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) said this change could help avoid nearly 90,000 fraudulent transactions involving SNAP benefits.

SB 3266 has been assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

* Sen. Graciela Guzman…

State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill that would decouple Illinois adult education funding from federal rules passed the Senate Higher Education Committee on Wednesday. […]

The measure comes as the Trump administration continues to threaten education funding and demand an unprecedented role in university admission, curriculum and operations. Without action from the state, federal threats to education programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act could limit Illinois residents’ access to higher education and key adult education programs.

Guzmán’s legislation would clarify and strengthen the administration of state-funded adult education programs in Illinois. The bill would ensure that Illinois law, not the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, governs state-only adult education programs. The state’s matching portion of WIOA funds – currently 25% – would continue to be subject to federal requirements.

Under Guzmán’s initiative, community colleges and educational institutions could use funding for additional purposes, including digital literacy education. The measure would further update eligibility for community college adult education programs to students age 17 and up. […]

Senate Bill 3698 has passed the Senate Higher Education Committee.

* Capitol News Illinois…

Advocates for health care providers that treat low-income and uninsured patients are pressuring state lawmakers to pass legislation they say would prevent drug manufacturers from restricting access to medications that are discounted through a federal pharmacy program.

The program is known as the 340B Drug Pricing Program. It requires drug manufacturers to provide outpatient drugs to safety net clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, AIDS clinics and a variety of other health care providers that treat Medicaid patients at substantially reduced prices.

The program has been in place since 1992. But in recent years, according to the Illinois Primary Health Care Association, drug manufacturers have found ways to limit the distribution of those drugs by restricting where patients can go to fill their prescriptions.

“What pharmaceutical manufacturers began doing was limiting the distribution of these drugs to a single location,” Cyrus Winnett, executive director of the IPHCA, said in an interview. “And when I say single location, I don’t mean Walgreens chain or CVS or a local independent. I mean one physical location, which for our organizations and their patients that have wide service areas, that’s extremely limiting,” […]

The legislation pending in the General Assembly is a Senate amendment to House Bill 2371. Sponsored by Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, it would prohibit anyone, including drug manufacturers, from imposing any restrictions on the ability of 340B-eligible clinics and hospitals to contract with outside pharmacies to fill 340B-funded prescriptions.

It also prohibits anyone, including manufacturers, from requiring 340B clinics and hospitals, or their contract pharmacies, to submit ingredient cost or pricing data about 340B drugs beyond what is required by state or federal law. And it prohibits anyone from imposing requirements regarding how clinics, hospitals or contract pharmacies manage their inventory of 340B drugs. […]

The bill awaits final action in the House before it can be sent to Gov. JB Pritzker. A spokesperson for House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said in an email the bill is still under review and the next steps will be determined in consultation with the Democratic caucus.

* CBS Chicago…

A proposed Illinois law hopes to create more oversight on private companies to protect consumers from skyrocketing utility prices. […]

The new legislation being proposed is HB 4313, also called the No More Utility Bill Rip-Offs Customer Protection Act.

“Many constituents sign up with resellers thinking they are going to get a lower rate. Unbeknownst to them, contract renews and rates go up and they don’t know,” said State Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet, the bill’s main sponsor.

She said her legislation will allow customers to be notified if rates increase.

* Center Square…

As state and local officials sound off on housing proposals at the Illinois Capitol, a state senator says it is time to take action on affordability and property tax relief.

Metro East Sen. Erica Harriss, R-Glen Carbon, announced a package of bills on Wednesday.

Harriss said Senate Bill 3959 provides a $500 tax credit for first-time home buyers. […]

Harriss also introduced SB 3781, amending the Illinois Income Tax Act to make residential property taxes refundable.

* More…

* Press release | Hoffman Looks to Strengthen Workplace Rights Bureau, Partners with Attorney General: The Workplace Rights Bureau protects and advances employment rights for workers across the state, investigating and litigating cases involving serious or persistent violations of workplace safety, wage theft and other unfair employment practices. Hoffman’s House Bill 4725 strengthens investigative tools, clarifies the bureau’s jurisdiction, streamlines subpoena procedures and institutes needed penalties to stop those who destroy evidence or refuse to comply with the law.

* WAND | IL bill could require insurance coverage for seizure detection devices:
Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) told reporters Wednesday that these tools can cost between $250-$2,000. Her proposal would require group insurance companies to provide coverage for medically-necessary devices subject to a maximum costsharing amount of $50 per year. […] Morrison has already gained strong bipartisan support for the plan and hopes to have the Senate Insurance Committee approve it next week.