* ACLU of Illinois…

In the face of efforts at the federal level to roll back critical protections for basic civil rights and civil liberties for all people in America, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law the SECURE Act, a measure that extends critical non-discrimination protections for young people under the care of the State of Illinois (in the Department of Children and Family Services). The new law, once implemented, will guarantee that youth placed outside Illinois state lines by DCFS are not deprived of health care that is lawful in our state. The Governor’s action was applauded by advocates for the bill and legislative sponsors. […]

Each year, thousands of young people are placed in the care of DCFS. These young people may be placed in foster homes, with relatives, or residential group settings. Hundreds of these youth are placed out of state. These young people might be placed with a relative in another state or placed in a care facility located outside Illinois. In some circumstances, these young people may be in state which has barred their access to health care or other services that are lawful in Illinois. The SECURE Act makes clear that any young person under the care of the State of Illinois cannot be deprived of the benefits of Illinois statutory protections for access to lawful health simply because they are not living in Illinois. […]

The SECURE Act requires DCFS to establish standards of conduct for staff and caregivers to protect you from mistreatment based on their protected characteristics, protect against retaliation for reporting discrimination, and requires the DCFS Inspector General to investigate such instances in which youth’s rights under the SECURE Act have been violated.

The SECURE Act mandates that DCFS to take specific protective measures for youth placed out placed out of state including:

- Pre-placement planning for out of state care (either individual families or facilities)
- Regular, direct contact for youth out of state with an Illinois-based worker
- Appointment of counsel for out of state youth at high risk of being deprived of lawful health care guaranteed under Illinois law
- Court oversight

* Planned Parenthood Illinois Action…

[On Friday], Governor JB Pritzker signed into law a bill that modernizes the language in the state’s existing 1970s era law, which allowed young people to access birth control. Sponsored by State Senator Graciela Guzmán and Illinois House Assistant Majority Leader Dagmara Avelar, Senate Bill (SB) 3341 passed the Illinois General Assembly in May 2026. SB 3341 is an initiative of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action and Planned Parenthood Illinois Action. […]

The State of Illinois already permits young people the ability to access the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health care, including birth control. SB 3341 modernizes the state’s Birth Control Services to Minors Act and removes antiquated language adopted in 1970. SB 3341 does not create a new right for young people.

“Access to contraception is an essential way for young people to take control of their lives and their futures,” said Margot Riphagen-Dunn, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action. “We are grateful that Governor Pritzker is signing this bill into law, ensuring the laws protecting birth control access are clear, so that young people can make decisions about their bodies and their futures with peace of mind.”

* Sen. Ram Villivalam…

State Senator Ram Villivalam led a new law streamlining implementation of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act.

“The Northern Transit Authority Act is a historic, transformative law securing the future of world-class public transit in Illinois, but it is imperative that we continue to work and ensure streamlined implementation throughout the transition process,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago).

Villivalam’s law – House Bill 2335 – solidifies and streamlines the comprehensive reforms under the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act. Signed into law in December, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act addresses the fiscal cliff that was expected to cause mass layoffs and reduced transit service in 2026 and 2027 with necessary reforms and a transformational $1.5 billion investment.

The law established the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, known as NITA, which will replace the Regional Transit Authority as the new entity overseeing the CTA, Metra and Pace. It streamlines transit governance alongside a slate of reforms securing an accessible, equitable, safe, reliable and integrated public transit system.

The new law clarifies dates and aligns implementation timelines to ensure the NITA Act can be administered effectively and consistently.

* Rep. Norine Hammond…

Legislation sponsored by State Representative Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) to expand the scope of ovarian cancer screenings has been signed into law.

House Bill 4203 adds having a high level of CA-125, as indicated by a blood test screening, to the definition of “at risk for ovarian cancer.” It provides that “surveillance tests for ovarian cancer” means all medically viable methods for the detection and diagnosis of ovarian cancer, including, but not limited to, ultrasounds, MRIs, x-rays, CT scans, and CA-125 blood test screenings.

“Assuring access to high-quality health care and cancer screenings has always been one of my top priorities,” Rep. Hammond said. “This legislation ensures that CA-125 blood test screenings for those at risk for ovarian cancer will be covered by health insurance plans.”

HB 4203 was unanimously approved by the Illinois House and Senate and was signed into law Friday as Public Act 104-548.

* WAND…

Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a bill into law to ban companies from manufacturing or selling cosmetic products containing forever chemicals

This ban will apply to PFAS found in makeup, hair and nail products, soaps, lotions, tanning products, perfume and cologne. […]

“Prolonged exposure has been linked to a range of serious health outcomes, including certain cancers, hormonal disruption and immune system damage,” said Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

The plan passed out of the House on a 74-38 vote but received unanimous support in the Senate.

This law will take effect July 1, 2028.

* Sen. Omar Aquino…

As private-equity backed hospital systems increasingly threaten access to care, a new law spearheaded by State Senator Omar Aquino will provide meaningful oversight of hospital ownership changes and services discontinuations. […]

House Bill 4757 will expand the authority of the Health Facilities and Services Review Board, which is responsible for regulating the planning, construction and operation of health care facilities in Illinois.

Under the new law, the board may grant, deny or defer an application for a permit allowing a change in ownership or discontinue a category of service. The law will also strengthen transparency and accountability by creating greater opportunities for residents, patients and local stakeholders to participate in public hearings regarding approved permits. […]

House Bill 4757 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2027.

* More…

* Press release | Villanueva law to protect divested property owners from equity theft: In 2023, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Tyler v. Hennepin that local governments keeping surplus money through property tax foreclosure is a violation of residents’ Fifth Amendment, which guarantees the right to fair compensation for government seizure of property. Geraldine Tyler owned a condominium in Minneapolis, which she accrued a $15,000 tax debt on after stopping property tax payments. Hennepin County foreclosed on Tyler’s home and sold the property for $40,000 – satisfying Tyler’s debt and keeping the remaining proceeds. Tyler sued the County, and the U.S. Supreme Court held that Hennepin County’s actions in retaining the surplus equity violated the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment. Villanueva’s law will help prevent Illinois property owners from falling victim to this type of equity theft. House Bill 4537 updates the tax sales process, ensuring that when a property owner’s redemption period expires, their property is sold through a public auction that takes into account the market value of the property before a buyer is granted the full deed from a court. If the property sells at auction, the buyer will get their money back, court fees will be covered and any surplus equity will be refunded to the divested property owner.

* Press release | Johnson’s new law creates non-profit investment pool: Senate Bill 2968 authorizes the State Treasurer to create a non-profit investment pool and an electronic payment-processing program to supplement and enhance investment opportunities for 501(c) non-profit organizations located in Illinois. The Non-Profit Investment Pool will provide hundreds of non-profits across the State the opportunity for safe, liquid, and competitive investments. Non-profits across the state will be able to pool their invest-able assets together in a fund to earn greater returns, at a much lower cost than they would on their own. Participants will earn interest proportionally based on their account balance. For Illinois Funds participants, earnings are calculated daily and paid monthly.

* WAND | Pritzker signs Rev. Jesse Jackson youth voter empowerment bill: Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill Friday to ensure all high schools offer students of voting age the opportunity to register during the school day in a safe, accessible and nonpartisan environment. Sponsors said the law can help even more young people be prepared to vote. “The reverend cared deeply about making sure young people had both a diploma and a voter registration card,” said Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago). “I am just grateful and honored to carry a bill dedicated to the reverend and his legacy.”

* WAND | New IL law requires court date reminder texts for people on pretrial release: The new law requires pretrial service agencies to send three reminder text messages to people on pretrial release before their court dates. It also states pretrial service agencies must keep a copy of the message and a delivery receipt with their records. Sponsors said research shows texts are very effective in helping people keep their court dates.

* Press release | Affordable housing initiative for DuPage and Will counties to be greenlit under new Ellman law: House Bill 4571 allows counties with populations between 750,000 and 2 million, as well as counties with executive forms of government and populations between 650,000 and 2 million, to take additional actions to support affordable housing development and preservation. Under the law, eligible counties could acquire property, transfer land between units of local government, sell or lease property below market rate and offer financial incentives such as grants, loans and infrastructure improvements to encourage affordable housing construction.

* Press release | Halpin effort to prevent exploitation of those needing guardianship becomes law in Illinois: Halpin’s law will provide multiple guardrails to ensure private professional guardians are qualified. These include having a personal meeting with the respondent prior to appointment, background checks, certifications, fee disclosures and financial management standards. The law will impose reporting obligations and allow for court removal due to noncompliance. The Chicago Tribune identified cases where patients with assets that were ordered into conservatorship were taken advantage of by one particular management organization assigned as guardian. In many cases, the care management organization “then benefited from providing months or years of services funded by the former patient.”

* Press release | Guzmán law to ensure CNAs are paid for every hour they work signed into law: The new law requires CNA wage increases and reimbursement calculations to include every hour worked, including both productive and nonproductive hours. Covered hours include paid sick leave, paid vacation, training time, bereavement leave, holidays and paid time off. Employers that fail to comply will be subject to penalties and fees. Employees of several Central Illinois memory care facilities have claimed the company they work for has not been paying employees on time. According to SEIU, low wages contribute to a staggering 65% workforce turnover rate, making it more difficult to recruit and retain the caregivers Illinois seniors rely on every day.

* Press release | Villanueva law to strengthen identity protections for youth in state’s care: Additionally, to ensure the needs of youth in care are being met, DCFS, service providers and caregivers are required to support services, care planning and placements that are consistent with the youth’s health, safety, well-being and best interests. To mitigate any risk of adverse action to youth in care, Villanueva’s law requires DCFS to consider the youth’s preference regarding interstate placement and implement ongoing communication, monitoring and assessment when a child is placed in care out of state.

* Press release | Loughran Cappel law to broaden autism diagnostic access for children: Currently, psychologists and pediatricians are able to diagnose children with autism spectrum disorders, but speech-language pathologists cannot. Loughran Cappel’s law will allow speech-language pathologists to diagnose children under the age of three with autism spectrum disorders, as long as the pathologist has autism diagnostic evaluation training and the child receives services within the early intervention team-based system. To mitigate working families’ cost barriers, the law will also ensure that insurance companies cover children receiving a speech-language pathologist’s diagnosis. This coverage will apply to families receiving Medicaid as well.