Last month, the Illinois General Assembly ended the 2024 legislative session. For over 25 years, EverThrive Illinois has advocated for state policies and funding to advance our shared priorities of eliminating racial and gender disparities in healthcare, promoting bodily autonomy, and creating a health care system that is deserving of trust from those most affected by injustices.
EverThrive Illinois applauds the Illinois General Assembly for passing the following bills, which will improve the health and well-being of Illinois families.
Assistance for Pregnant People and Families Struggling with Substance Use Disorder
Illinois Senate Bill 3136 (SB3136) creates the Family Recovery Plans Implementation Task Force. This task force will review and recommend models of family recovery plans—plans for medical treatment, recovery services, and referrals to services/resources—implemented in other states. The task force will also review and develop recommendations to replace punitive policies with notification policies to child welfare systems. This bill also removes punitive policies that automatically referred cases to the states’ attorney’s offices.
Mandated Private Insurance Coverage to Ensure Birth Equity
Illinois House Bill 5142 (HB5142) mandates private insurance companies to cover pregnancy-related and abortion services without extra costs like copays or deductibles. The bill requires private insurance to cover services provided by midwives, doulas, and lactation consultants. The bill also requires private insurance coverage of home births, home visits, and services/support for labor, miscarriage, and abortion.
Elimination of Junk Insurance Plans
Illinois House Bill 2499 prohibits the sale of short-term, limited-duration health policies that do not have to meet the minimum standards under the federal Affordable Care Act.
Creation of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood
Illinois Senate Bill 1 creates the Illinois Department of Early Childhood, which would administer and provide early childhood education and childcare programs/services to children and families by July 1, 2026. The new agency would oversee early intervention programs, home visiting, and childcare assistance programs. These services are currently managed by three different state agencies.
While we celebrate these successes, there is more to do. In the last legislative session, we supported efforts to expand access to health care for immigrants, create a diaper allowance for low-income families, and expand paid family leave.
EverThrive IL will join with our partners to continue to build public and legislative support for these priorities and others. But we all have a part to play in making these policy priorities into laws—sign up for our email list today so that you can receive action alerts and other updates on when you can help us advance our shared priorities!