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SPRINGFIELD – To strengthen protections for students and help schools identify concerning behavior before it escalates, State Senator Lakesia Collins’ new law improves reporting requirements, reinforces professional boundaries between educators and students and increases transparency regarding school misconduct policies.

“We have to recognize and understand the warning signs before a child is harmed,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “With this law, schools will establish clear boundaries and professional standards between all students and staff, provide training and give educators the ability to identify and report troubling behavior.”

Collins’ law, House Bill 4534, expands protections for children in schools by redefining patterns of grooming behavior as a form of abuse under state law. The law also requires school districts, charter schools and private schools to maintain and publicly post employee professional conduct policies, provide clear methods for reporting staff-student boundary violations, and establish expectations between school employees and students.

SPRINGFIELD – Individuals with disabilities and their caregivers will have access to safe, accessible facilities under a new law sponsored by State Senator Lakesia Collins.

“Many families find themselves without appropriate facilities in public spaces and are forced to cut outings short or skip them altogether,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “With this law we can give those families the facilities needed to live in our communities and participate without additional stress of wondering whether facilities are available.”

Collins’ new law, House Bill 4379, will expand Illinois’ Equitable Restrooms Act by requiring certain newly constructed public buildings and state-owned facilities to provide access to adult changing stations. Adult changing stations provide a safe, sanitary space for caregivers assisting older children and adults with disabilities who require personal care support.

CHICAGO – State Senator Lakesia Collins announced the Illinois Workforce Pell, a new program expanding the federal Pell Grants by allowing eligible students to use grant funding for short-term workforce training programs aligned with in-demand occupations, is now accepting applications.

“By improving access to workforce training programs, we open the doors for students working toward highly skilled jobs,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “I have been a long supporter of career development and technical training education programs and I will continue to advocate for residents to have more opportunities to grow here in our state.”

By extending Pell eligibility to shorter-term programs, Workforce Pell broadens access to a more affordable path to a recognized credential, tied to employer-validated, high-skill, high-wage or in-demand jobs across the state. Illinois developed a rigorous approval process to ensure participating programs meet high standards for quality, workforce alignment and student outcomes – protecting students while ensuring public investments support credentials with strong labor market value.

SPRINGFIELD – To help Illinois residents access treatment for conditions like cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome and other endocrine disorders, State Senator Lakesia Collins led a new law requiring health insurance plans to cover up to a six-month supply of prescription hormone therapy.

“Far too many are facing unnecessary burdens as they try to maintain their health plan and stay on schedule with their medications,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This law will ensure patients are prescribed enough medication to ensure continued access without the worry or frequent trips to the pharmacy.”

Collins’ law, House Bill 5492, will require health insurance plans to cover up to a six-month supply of prescription hormone therapy and any necessary supplies for self-administration when prescribed by a health care provider and dispensed at one time. By allowing patients to receive a longer supply of medication at once, the law will reduce interruptions in treatment and make it easier for individuals to maintain consistent care.