* Tribune…

After months of debate, legislation inspired by a Tribune investigation into some Chicago-area hospitals’ questionable use of the state’s guardianship system has advanced from the Illinois House as supporters seek to strengthen court oversight and other protections for the rights of vulnerable adults. […]

After months of discussions with opponents, supporters say the amended version of [State Rep. Marti Deuter’s] bill represents a compromise but still would set important safeguards around private guardianship appointments.

For example, the bill would require employees of private guardians to undergo criminal background checks every five years and get the education necessary for national certification. And a private guardian corporation would have to submit to annual independent audits if it manages more than $1 million in assets. […]

The hospital association still objects to the part of the bill that would require the private guardian to meet with the hospital patient prior to accepting the appointment, citing concerns that such a requirement may slow the process as well as timing issues concerning medical consent.

* Tech-Safe Learning Coalition co-founder Rose Bronstein…

Illinois legislators have taken a step forward with Senate Bill 2427, which bans student cellphone use during the school day. This bill excludes students in independent schools and it only mandates a bell-to-bell ban — from arrival to dismissal — for elementary and middle schoolers, giving high schools the freedom to set more lenient policies. These critical loopholes leave thousands of students unprotected. […]

I am advocating for federal and state online safety reform and fighting to hold schools accountable when they fail to protect students. That’s why I’m deeply concerned about the shortcomings of SB2427.

The experience of some Illinois communities offers proof that phone bans work. Antioch Upper Grade School now requires students to lock their phones each morning using Yondr pouches and unlock them as they leave.

The results have been transformative, with a dramatic decrease in discipline referrals and behavioral incidents, according to Antioch Elementary District 34 Superintendent Aron Borowiak. When digital noise is removed, students choose to look at one another, talk and engage.

If Illinois politicians are serious about protecting children from online harm, this law must apply to all Illinois students, bell to bell. Anything less betrays parents and signals that equal protection is optional.

* Illinois Health and Hospital Association President AJ Wilhelmi…

The April 29 oped, “Hospitals stash billions overseas — and want Illinois to expand their drug discounts,” mischaracterizes both the purpose of the 340B Drug Pricing Program and the realities facing Illinois hospitals.

Contrary to the author’s assertion, the 340B program is not a “profit center” — it is a lifeline for patients and communities. It allows hospitals that care for large numbers of Medicaid and uninsured patients to purchase outpatient drugs at a discount and reinvest those savings directly into patient care. Across Illinois, these funds support free and reduced-cost prescriptions, behavioral health services, cancer care, maternity services, and rural and urban clinics that would otherwise close their doors.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers — many located overseas, earning tens of billions of dollars in annual profits — are actively working to restrict hospital access to 340B discounts. Limiting these resources does not lower drug prices; it reduces the ability of providers to deliver care to those who need it most. […]

Importantly, despite what the author suggests, Illinois hospitals are not seeking to “expand” 340B. House Bill 2371 simply preserves the status quo by preventing pharmaceutical manufacturers from restricting access to federally authorized discounts. Similar legislation has been enacted in more than 20 states, and those laws are being upheld in court.

* Center Square…

House Bill 5295, also known as the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act, would require health providers to segregate records related to abortion and gender-affirming care and limit their disclosure – particularly to out-of-state entities. […]

[Rep. Mary Beth Canty] said records would be automatically segregated, with patients able to release them if they choose, adding the restricted information is “not medically necessary” and that abortion-related complications could be treated as a miscarriage. […]

“How about an emergency department for an unconscious patient?” [Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton)] asked. “Wouldn’t it be vital to see the complete medical record of the patient?”

Canty responded that such patients would be treated regardless and reiterated that the restricted information would not be necessary for care. […]

The measure has passed the Illinois House and is now in the Senate for consideration.

* WTVO…

House Bill 5151, sponsored by Rep. [Nicolle Grasse], would create the Automated License Plate Recognition System Act, setting statewide rules for when license plate reader data can be collected, how long it can be kept, and who it can be shared with.

The bill would explicitly make it illegal for police or government agencies to use the technology for immigration enforcement or to monitor access to lawful health care, including abortion, which is legal in Illinois.

License plate readers, often mounted on squad cars or fixed locations, automatically scan passing vehicles and log license plate numbers along with the date, time, and location. The technology is commonly used to identify stolen vehicles or locate missing persons.

Under HB5151, law enforcement agencies would only be allowed to use license plate readers for specific purposes, including: locating stolen vehicles, investigating hit-and-run crashes, finding vehicles connected to missing persons alerts; identifying vehicles tied to outstanding felony warrants; and investigating serious violent crimes.

HB5151 has not moved out of the House.

* More…

* Jeremy Wolff | We can’t clear our way out of homelessness. But we can’t ignore the encampments either: The General Assembly is considering House Bill 1429, which would prohibit cities from fining or arresting people for “life-sustaining activities” such as “lying down, sleeping, protecting oneself from the elements, eating, drinking and storing such personal property as needed to shelter oneself.” It also states that cities can “maintain public access to a property or address serious and imminent risks to public health and safety.” While the bill doesn’t specifically allow tents, a broad interpretation might prevent the city from sweeping an encampment. At first glance, this seems like a good thing. […] Parks have many moving pieces, and HB1429 complicates the city’s job without offering additional support.

* WMBD | Proposal advances in Illinois legislation that would require business to accept more cash: A bipartisan proposal that would require businesses in Illinois to accept cash as a method of payment is making its way through the Illinois legislative process. On Thursday, state lawmakers advanced a plan that would require businesses to accept cash for purchases up to $500.

* WAND | Sen. Rose files bill to allow IL police to coordinate with immigration authorities: Rose has filed a plan to amend the Illinois TRUST Act and remove restrictions that currently limit communication, information sharing and coordination between local and federal authorities. “This would apply when federal law enforcement comes with a valid, enforceable federal warrant,” Rose said Thursday. “That’s critical. This is not a question of, ‘hey, we just picked up some guy off the street.’ This is a valid, enforceable federal warrant. It’s a big deal.”

* Press release | Katz Muhl Passes Legislation to Empower Local Libraries in E-Book Negotiations with Publishers: “As an avid e-book reader and library patron, I was stunned to learn that publishers were routinely overcharging libraries for e-books and audiobooks,” Katz Muhl said. “This legislation ends checkout limits and prices exponentially exceeding the market rate–both of which take advantage of taxpayer dollars. Thank you to the libraries for lifting up this issue and fighting for a level playing field in negotiations.” Katz Muhl’s House Bill 5236 advanced to the state Senate after being passed by the House in a bipartisan vote and has been sponsored in that chamber by state Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel.