SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans will soon have annual mental health wellness visits covered under their insurance at no additional cost, thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine.

“Much like annual checkups for your physical health, annual mental health visits allow specialists to identify or address underlying mental health concerns or new symptoms that may have come up in the past year,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Offering these annual visits at no additional cost will encourage people to treat their mental health as seriously as their physical health, and seek this form of health care that everyone can benefit from.”

House Bill 2847 requires health insurance plans under the Insurance Code, State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code and the School Code to cover annual mental health checkups and wellness visits starting in 2025.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the General Assembly’s assault weapons ban:

“As a member of the community neighboring Highland Park, I saw up close the devastation these weapons can levy on our communities. I am grateful for the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the assault weapons ban that will prevent further tragedies from taking place.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine and State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz’s initiative to limit the consumption of single-use plastics and polystyrene by state agencies has just been signed into law. The Degradable Plastic Act, SB 58, prioritizes sustainability by banning the purchase or use of polystyrene or styrofoam by state agencies and universities by January 1, 2025.

“By finding environmentally friendly alternatives to styrofoam, this new law allows the state government to lead the way in protecting our environment,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Because it is so lightweight and easily breaks apart into smaller pieces, styrofoam tends to drift away. Since it is used so much in disposable packaging, polystyrene is one of the largest causes of global pollution.”

"For years, non-biodegrade pollutants like polystyrene have piled up in landfills, clogged bodies of water and left unsightly imprints on cities and towns across America. Banning these pollutants will prevent that contamination from spreading further," said Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview). "There is a lot more progress to make, but Illinois is committed to a greener future. Today we are taking a major step to crack down on this enduring threat to our environment."

SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine will allow victims of human rights violations additional opportunities to seek justice. It allows the Illinois Department of Human Rights to better protect victims by expanding their investigation process.

"Victims of human rights violations may be reluctant to come forward with their claims,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Individuals should have as many avenues as possible to pursue justice and will be able to do so with this new law.”

House Bill 3135 expands IDHR's investigative procedures. In cases concerning housing discrimination, it allows the complainant to petition for temporary housing relief while the judicial proceedings continue. Additionally, it allows IDHR to more thoroughly investigate a possible violation if the Human Rights Commission requests it. Finally, the Attorney General can intervene in civil actions in state or federal court for all complaints. All of these improvements will better support the complainant and provide them more options when pursuing further action on their complaint.

House Bill 3135 was signed into law on Friday. It goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.