Amidst devastating cuts to SNAP and Medicaid and attacks on reproductive justice from the Federal government, EverThrive Illinois worked alongside many partners and legislative champions to protect health care access and resources for Illinois families through state legislation and the FY27 state budget.
We thank the General Assembly for passing the following legislation that we championed to support the health of families across Illinois.
- SB3341 Birth Control Services to Minors Act to increase access to contraception for minors in a time of increased attacks on reproductive rights nationally.
- HB5295 Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act to protect abortion-related patient health information from being accessed by out-of-state entities. This Act cements the state as a haven as more out-of-state patients seek reproductive healthcare in Illinois.
- HB4606 to develop the necessary infrastructure for current and future Universal Newborn Support Services programs in communities across Illinois. EverThrive IL is proud to play a key role in supporting the Chicago Family Connects program and have seen the value of nurse home visitors who provide parents with a listening ear, support, and resources in the crucial first few weeks of their child’s life.
- The Medicaid Omnibus bill included the first step towards creating a cash transfer program for pregnant and postpartum parents. This program is modeled on the Rx Kids program in Michigan, which has been hugely successful in decreasing infant mortality and child welfare system involvement.
The nearly $56 billion FY27 budget passed by the Illinois legislature on June 1st included crucial investments to birth equity, reproductive healthcare, and infant and child health, including, but not limited to:
- $28.4 million for maternal and child home visiting programs.
- $24.7 million for programs to reduce infant mortality, provide case management and outreach services, and support the Intensive Prenatal Performance Project.
- $18 million for reproductive health navigation services, provider training, consultation programs, clinic security grants, and related reproductive healthcare initiatives.
- $14.7 million for safety-net hospitals
- $4.5 million for school-based health centers
- $4 million for Birth Equity Initiatives
- $3 million in federal Maternal and Child Health Block Grant funding for services supporting premature and high-risk infants and their families.
- $1 million for extension and provision of perinatal services for premature and high-risk infants and their mothers.
- $250,000 to EverThrive Illinois for operating expenses
Looking Ahead
Legislators failed to pass HB3483 to create a Paid Family and Medical Leave program, leaving Illinois behind 24 other states who have passed similar policies to support families. This continues to be a pressing concern for our communities, and we look forward to building legislative support for this program in the upcoming year.
In the face of staggering federal cuts to Medicaid and other basic needs, we continue to hear from community members and partners that raising progressive revenue is urgently needed to prevent harm to hardworking Illinois residents. The legislature took a solid step towards building more progressive revenue by passing a digital ad tax. We look forward to partnering with legislators, community members, providers, and advocacy partners to identify and build towards a fair FY28 budget.