Reproductive rights advocates say Illinois law protects IVF as state lawmakers consider legislation to expand access SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – In 2019, Illinois passed the Reproductive Health Act. Protecting abortion rights was a key part of the legislation, but that wasn’t its only intent. Illinois lawmakers challenge Chicago school board’s plans to remove police, rethink choice policy Illinois state lawmakers filed two bills last week aimed at reversing the Chicago Board of Education’s decisions to rethink school choice policies and remove school resource officers from campuses. Illinois House insurance committee approves plan expanding infertility coverage Private insurance companies in Illinois can currently limit patients to four rounds of IVF treatment. State lawmakers removed the cap on infertility coverage for state employees last year. Although, a proposal in the Illinois House could expand private insurance coverage for the critical infertility treatments. How an Illinois Law Protects IVF Access, Reproductive Health Care Rights “For me, being pro-choice means being pro-family. I think that’s a component of being pro-choice. I want people to have the ability to have a family in whatever way that they want,” Croke said, whether that’s adopting, using fertility assists or having no children. IVF Protections State Rep. Margaret Croke is introducing a bill to expand the number of rounds of IVF protected under insurance. She talks with Micah about making sure protections are never lost in Illinois as they are in some states. A new bill in Springfield allows Illinois residents to recoup extra costs for mental health care If you have medical insurance, obviously, you want to see a health care provider who is in-network. That’s not always the case, though, on the lists of providers you may see, and you can wind up paying full price for going out-of-network. A bill in the Illinois House would allow you to recoup the extra costs when you see a mental health provider in those cases. New Illinois law to try to curb bullying at schools through quicker parental notice A new law signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker earlier this month is trying to curb bullying at Illinois schools. Illinois Lawmakers Approve Bill Requiring Schools to Notify Parents of Bullying Within 24 Hours A measure that would require school administrations in Illinois to inform parents and guardians of bullying within 24 hours has been approved by both bodies of the state legislature and is awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s approval. Pritzker Administration Expands Access to Self-Administered Contraceptives Today, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (“IDFPR”) announced a new process to expand access to self-administered hormonal contraceptives, making them more available to Illinois residents than ever before. Senator Fine measure to make specialty services more accessible for HMO patients passes Senate House Bill 1186 would allow HMO patients to have appointments and receive care with in-network specialists covered by their insurance, eliminating the requirement to get a referral from a general practitioner. This will allow HMO patients to get the care they need in a timely manner. One Illinois Representatives fight to strengthen and expand Cyberbullying statute Illinois State Representative Margaret Croke has pushed legislation to strengthen and expand the current Illinois cyber-bullying statute. Senate approves Feigenholtz anti-bullying legislation “Through this legislation, we can ensure that students remain safe and that their parents understand what they’re going through at school,” Feigenholtz said. “Representative Croke and I were proud to sponsor this bill in honor of a family in our district who lost a child to bullying. We hope this bill serves as a beacon of hope for families across Illinois.” Women coach women on leadership Rep. Margaret Croke, D-Chicago, credited her IWIL Training Academy experience in 2020 with giving her the tools she needed to successfully run for the Illinois House of Representatives later that year. Illinois House passes bill raising credit union regulatory fees State lawmakers hope to raise the annual credit union regulation fee for the first time since 2008. Illinois House passes cryptocurrency regulation bill State lawmakers hope to pass a plan to stabilize the market and ensure consumers are protected. Measure would require schools to notify parents of bullying incidents within 24 hours Legislation that would tighten anti-bullying protocols in Illinois schools will head to the full state Senate after unanimously passing out of committee this week. Lawmakers look to modernize state’s bullying policy State lawmakers are advancing a plan that would require stricter reporting requirements for school officials about incidents of bullying in an effort the lead sponsor of a bill says will help align Illinois’ anti-bullying law with online cyberbullying. Rep. Margaret Croke | Rising Stars in Illinois Politics April 14, 2023, Illinois State Representative Margaret Croke, a Democrat from the 12th District, and institute director John Shaw kicked off a new series titled “Rising Stars in Illinois Politics.” JOAN ESPOSITO LIVE, LOCAL, & PROGRESSIVE 03.29.2023 Illinois State Rep. Margaret Croke joins Joan Esposito on WCPT 820 – Chicago’s Progressive Talk to talk about House Bill 2477, the Pregnancy Expenses Act and House Bill 3425, which expands the current Illinois Bullying Prevention statute. 41 bills in Illinois Senate as Friday legislative deadline approaches The House, on a 65-40 vote, approved a proposal stating that each parent in a pregnancy “has a duty” to split pregnancy-related costs. Illinois House approves plan creating parity in pregnancy expenses Illinois could soon require intended parents to pay at least 50% of a pregnant person’s medical expenses. House sends 41 bills to Senate as Friday legislative deadline looms The House, on a 65-40 vote, approved a proposal stating that each parent in a pregnancy “has a duty” to split pregnancy-related costs. Representative Margaret Croke on House Bill 2477 and splitting pregnancy costs 50-50 Illinois State Representative of the 12th District Margaret Croke joins Lisa Dent to talk about proposed House Bill 2477, the Pregnancy Expenses Act, which would require pregnancy-related costs to be split equally between the pregnant party and “the other intended parent.” This proposed bill, sponsored by Rep. Croke, was one of 41 to be sent to Senate yesterday, March 21st. Analysis of Gov. Pritzker’s FY24 budget On Wednesday, Illinois Gov. Pritzker outlined his $49.6 billion proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year. Millions of dollars could be going to early education, child care and support for low-income families. Lincoln Park Gets New Preschool Across From Zoo For 200 Students A preschool is now open inside a renovated office building across from Lincoln Park Zoo. Chicago Public Schools opens early learning center in Lincoln Park Chicago Public Schools (CPS) continues to expand its offerings of early learning programs with the latest effort landing in Lincoln Park. Gov. Pritzker Signs Sweeping Reproductive Rights Protections Into Law Governor JB Pritzker signed HB4664, a reproductive rights and gender affirming care omnibus bill that protects health care providers and their patients from legal attacks by neighboring states and expands health care access and options across the state. State legislatures are coming back. These are the lawmakers to follow. These state lawmakers are among thousands of Republicans, Democrats and independents gearing up for an energetic and contentious set of legislative sessions that start kicking off in dozens of capitals this month. OTL #839: Demolition’s impact on Chicago, Rep. Margaret Croke on the state of politics, FORTS! is back at The Filament Theatre Mike Stephen talks to sociologist David Schalliol about the societal impact of demolishing buildings in Chicago, discusses the state of politics in Springfield during this polarized time with State Rep. Margaret Croke (D-12th), and plays audio of his experience at the immersive FORTS! experience at the Filament Theatre in Portage Park. Inside ASID’s fight to expand designers’ practice rights Kaufman, who is an ASID member, lobbied for what would become Illinois House Bill 4715, meeting with her state representative, Margaret Croke, and state senator, Laura Fine, at least once a year for the past several years. Kaufman’s argument centered on the plight of small women-run businesses like hers being stymied by bureaucracy and outdated perceptions of designers. 1 2 3 Next »