* WAND…

A new state law will help sexual assault survivors when they first interact with police.

The law requires law enforcement to tell survivors they can request to be interviewed by an officer of their sex or gender. It also states police should inform survivors they can have a support person with them during the interview.

The Illinois Sheriff’s Association played a key role in helping negotiate this change with the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

“House Bill 4394 recognizes that for many individuals, reporting sexual violence comes at an extraordinarily difficult and vulnerable moment,” said Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove). “When survivors feel supported, interviews are more effective and cases are stronger, helping hold offenders accountable.”

* Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel…

State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel led a new law that lets paraprofessionals who have a short-term approval license get a full license after their short-term license expires.

“Illinois’ teacher shortage is impacting children’s ability to learn,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “When we invest in the people already showing up for our students every day, we don’t just fill classrooms – we build careers, strengthen communities and deepen the roots of education from the inside out.”

Short-term approval licenses for paraprofessionals are valid for three years, but someone cannot have one multiple times. Previous standards allowed someone who had a short-term approval license to work as a paraprofessional while completing the full-time license’s qualifications.

The law creates another pathway for paraprofessionals to receive a full-time license. Paraprofessionals can now earn an educator license with stipulations once their short-term license expires if they meet the age requirement, have paid the renewal registration fee and have met certain educational competencies. The education standards include numeracy and literacy support, implementing behavior plans, and taking direction from teachers and administrators. […]

Senate Bill 2773 was signed into law July 24 and takes effect Jan. 1.

* Capitol News Illinois…

Students in all Illinois public schools will soon have to abide by rules barring them from using cellphones or other personal electronic communication devices during school hours unless they have been given specific permission to use them.

Although many districts already have similar policies in place, Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday that will require all districts to have “bell-to-bell” device bans in place before the start of the 2027-2028 school year. […]

Senate Bill 2427 requires districts to adopt policies that broadly restrict the use of “wireless communication devices” during school hours. Those include cellphones, laptops, tablets, gaming devices and “wearable” devices such as smartwatches. But they do not include devices that schools or teachers issue to students for educational purposes.

The law requires districts to make exceptions for devices that are needed for medical reasons, for special education purposes or for language translation if a student is an English language learner. Districts may also make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for students who are also caregivers for family members at home.

* Rep. Martin McLaughlin…

State Representative Martin McLaughlin (R-Lake Barrington) announced that Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed House Bill 2190 into law, marking the culmination of a bipartisan effort to improve emergency preparedness and protect children in daycare centers throughout Illinois.

The legislation was inspired by the tragic loss of Calum Walters, whose family lives in Representative McLaughlin’s district. Following the heartbreaking death of their son at a daycare center, the Walters family courageously chose to channel their grief into advocacy, working to ensure other families would be better protected.

“While no law can undo the unimaginable loss suffered by the Walters family, their strength and determination have created a lasting legacy that will help safeguard children across Illinois,” said Representative McLaughlin. “Their courage transformed personal tragedy into meaningful action.”

Under HB 2190, daycare centers with more than 12 children must ensure that at least two staff members on duty are trained in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, providing a greater level of preparedness to respond to medical emergencies when every second counts.

The legislation represents more than three years of work and reflects strong bipartisan cooperation among legislators committed to improving child safety.

* WJOL…

Years before she took the oath of office, State Representative Nicole La Ha (R-Lemont) was simply a mother searching for playgrounds and public spaces where her daughter could belong. Today, that journey has resulted in a new Illinois law.

“Before I was a legislator, I was a mom trying to help my daughter experience the world like every other child,” Rep. La Ha said. “Watching this bill become law is incredibly meaningful because I know what it represents for so many families.”

Gov. Pritzker has signed Senate Bill 3016, legislation sponsored in the House by State Representative Nicole La Ha (R-Lemont), encouraging communities seeking Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants to incorporate accessibility and universal design into park and recreation projects.

The legislation reflects an issue that has shaped Rep. La Ha’s life both personally and professionally. Her daughter, Ashlynn, lives with cerebral palsy, giving her firsthand experience with the barriers many families encounter in parks and public spaces.

* Capitol News Illinois…

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill Friday that officially recognizes gambling disorder as an addiction in Illinois.

The legislation, Senate Bill 2749, updates the state’s existing Substance Use Disorder Act to codify gambling addiction under the same framework as alcohol and drug use disorders, allowing the Illinois Department of Human Services’ behavioral health division to offer programs and support to compulsive gamblers and affected families.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Lake Forest, said recognizing the disorder under the law would make it easier for the state to provide resources for those struggling with gambling addiction. […]

The bill passed with broad bipartisan support this spring, receiving dissenting votes from only 11 Republican representatives in the House and passing unanimously in the Senate.

* Edwardsville Intelligencer…

Gov. JB Pritzker signed Illinois Senate Bill 2867 into law, allowing dealers to install front license plate brackets as long as they follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Although no previous law prohibited dealers from installing front license plate brackets, the measure clarifies that they may do so, making it easier for motorists to comply with Illinois law.

Illinois is one of 22 states that require both front and rear license plates on vehicles, with exceptions including motorcycles and trailers. Some automakers no longer build vehicles with front license plate mounting points, making brackets or braces necessary for vehicles sold in Illinois and other two-plate states. More than half the states and Washington, D.C., require only one license plate, although dealers in two-plate states can request vehicles equipped with front plate attachments.

A bill was introduced in the Illinois Legislature in late 2025 to make Illinois a one-plate state for vehicles, but that measure, Illinois House Bill 4245, is sitting with the House Rules Committee. The measure is unlikely to advance without further legislative action.

* The Alzheimer’s Association…

The Alzheimer’s Association today applauded Governor JB Pritzker for signing Senate Bill 2886 into law, strengthening protections for Illinois residents by expanding the state’s existing Genetic Information Privacy Act to include biomarkers and biomarker testing.

The legislation, which takes effect January 1, 2027, establishes important privacy protections for biomarker information and helps ensure Illinois residents can benefit from advances in medical technology without fear of discrimination or misuse of sensitive health information. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Bill Cunningham in the Senate and Rep. Maurice A. West, II in the House. […]

In Alzheimer’s, biomarkers can detect the presence of amyloid plaques and tau proteins which are hallmarks of the disease. Historically, these biomarkers could only be measured through costly and invasive procedures such as PET imaging or lumbar punctures. New blood-based biomarker tests, including FDA-cleared tests already available to clinicians, are making Alzheimer’s-related testing more accessible, affordable and less invasive for patients. […]

SB2886 expands Illinois’ privacy framework by extending existing protections for genetic information to include biomarkers and biomarker testing. The law establishes that information derived from biomarker testing is confidential and privileged and limits how that information may be collected, used and disclosed.

The legislation also limits employers’ ability to request, use, disclose or act upon biomarker testing information in employment-related decisions, helping protect individuals from discrimination in hiring, firing, compensation and other workplace matters.

In addition, the law prohibits insurers from seeking or using information derived from biomarker testing for accident and health insurance underwriting purposes, except in limited circumstances established by law. […]

“Alzheimer’s isn’t a hypothetical for my family, it’s touched every woman on my mother’s side for three generations,” said Holly Blastic. “I’m currently taking part in an Alzheimer’s research study. While I don’t know my biomarker results, I know that whatever they show, I shouldn’t have to worry about losing a job or being denied insurance because of them. Laws like this assuage my fears for my children’s future too. I hope this disease never touches my four kids directly, but I am grateful this law means they can seek answers without fear of being punished for it.”

* More…

* Press release | Joyce measure to expand mental health counseling to coroners signed into law: Senate Bill 2770 will add coroners, deputy coroners, county medical examiners and deputy county medical examiners to the definition of first responders for the purpose of providing them mental health counseling without any cost-sharing. Coroners and medical examiners, like other first responders, are regularly exposed to traumatic scenes. This law will ensure they have access to no-cost mental health counseling, promoting workforce well-being and retention. Joyce worked closely with the Will County Coroner’s Office to implement this legislation.

* Press release | Turner law strengthens school policies for service animals: Students who need service animals in order to equally access public schools are protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Senate Bill 2761 will set the tone for school environments that value diversity and inclusion by adding training on the proper handling of service animals in the school setting to the ADA training teachers, administrators and school support personnel already receive. Turner’s law came in response to an incident involving a Rochester High School student who utilizes a medical alert dog to manage her Type 1 diabetes – alerting the student when her blood sugar drops too low and helping her stay alive. In November, the student reported harassment from other students at a school board meeting, claiming her peers would step on her Labrador’s legs – hurting his hips – pull his tail, throw food at him and bark at him in the hallways. In a video posted by the student on social media, she spoke about the issues and said the school district has not taken action to protect her service animal.