Chicago City Wire

Mike Simmons introduced SB2353 in the Illinois Senate on Feb. 7, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In a provision concerning coverage for the treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions, requires certain insurers to ensure, prior to policy issuance, that there is no limit on the number of visits per week for outpatient mental health treatment."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill amends the Illinois Insurance Code to enhance parity between mental health and medical/surgical coverage in insurance policies. It mandates that insurers align mental health benefit limitations and financial requirements with those for medical conditions, ensuring no separate cost-sharing or additional restrictions are applied to mental health services. The bill explicitly prohibits limits on weekly outpatient mental health visits. It establishes rules for aggregate lifetime and annual limits on mental health benefits, applies consistent drug coverage criteria with medical conditions, and requires compliance with federal parity law. It mandates the Department of Insurance to implement public education initiatives and gather data on insurance practices related to mental health coverage, reporting to the General Assembly for oversight and ensuring adherence. The provisions in the bill aim to eliminate discriminatory practices within insurance policies, thus promoting better access and equity in coverage for mental health conditions.

Mike Simmons has proposed another 27 bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Simmons graduated from Amherst College in 2006 with a BA.

Mike Simmons is currently serving in the Illinois State Senate, representing the state's 7th Senate District. He replaced previous state senator Heather Steans in 2021.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
SB2353	02/07/2025	Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In a provision concerning coverage for the treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions, requires certain insurers to ensure, prior to policy issuance, that there is no limit on the number of visits per week for outpatient mental health treatment.
SB2109	02/07/2025	Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that upon the filing of a petition by a representative of a ward, the court must order a citation to issue for the appearance before it of any person or agent of a financial institution that the petitioner believes to have improperly withheld or concealed the assets of a person with a disability. Provides that the petition must contain a request for the relief sought. Provides that it is improper for a financial institution to fail to comply with a representative's directions regarding the collection, transfer, distribution, or delivery of the assets of a person with a disability upon presentation of the representative's letters of office or a court order directing the collection, transfer, distribution, or delivery of the assets of a person with a disability.
SB2110	02/07/2025	Creates the Paper Waste Reduction Act. Sets forth limits on the amount of junk mail a for-profit corporation, association, limited liability company, partnership, not-for-profit organization, or other legal entity shall send or cause to be sent to a person residing in the State. Provides that a violation of any of the provisions of the Act is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act making to make a conforming change.
SB2111	02/07/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person operating a bicycle on the roadways of this State shall not be prohibited from side-by-side riding, riding contraflow on one-way streets, and rolling through stop signs at clear intersections.
SB2112	02/07/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows a park district, city, village, or incorporated town to decrease the speed limit within an urban district, but not to less than 10 (rather than 20) miles per hour. Allows a park district, city, village, or incorporated town to decrease the speed limit within a residence district, not to less than 15 (rather than 25) miles per hour. Provides that the difference in limit between adjacent altered speed zones shall not be more than 15 (rather than 10) miles per hour.
SB2124	02/07/2025	Creates the Let America Read Act. Provides that the State Board of Education with oversight over the instructional materials used in public schools shall create a grievance procedure for challenges to instructional materials. Provides that a school district shall designate a Review Committee to review all challenges to instructional materials. Provides that for each formal challenge, the Review Committee shall review the instructional material with the use of clear, objective review criteria created by the State Board. Requires the school district to create a Formal Grievance Procedure for Instructional Materials Form. Provides that upon receipt of a formal complaint, the Review Committee shall hold a minimum of 2 public meetings during a school year to review complaints, welcome input from the public, and generate recommendations to the final decision maker. Provides that the challenged instructional material shall remain accessible in the classroom pending a final determination. Provides that if the challenged instructional material faces a successful objection, then the removal of the instructional material takes effect the school year after the year in which the complaint was filed. Provides that if an instructional material is formally challenged and a final determination is reached, the instructional material shall not be challenged and reviewed by the Review Committee for 3 school years. Grants rulemaking authority to the State Board. Makes a conforming change in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.
SB2125	02/07/2025	Amends the Condominium Property Act. Provides that a vote to sell the property shall take place at one meeting called for such purpose and may be extended by no more than 24 hours. Provides that notice of the meeting shall be provided 72 hours in advance to all unit owners. Provides that upon an affirmative vote to sell the property, the board shall notify all State and local legislators representing the legislative district in which the property lies of the intent to sign a contract for sale of the property at least 90 days before signing the contract for sale. Provides that the bylaws that include matters subject to the affirmative vote of not less than 2/3 of the votes of unit owners at a meeting called for that purpose must include the investigation and initiation of a bulk sale of the property.
SB2285	02/07/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Redefines "bicycle" as every human-powered or low-speed electric vehicle with 2 or more wheels not less than 12 inches in diameter, designed for the transportation of one or more persons.
SB2286	02/07/2025	Amends the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a health insurance issuer or a contracted utilization review organization may not require prior authorization for preventive health services recommended by a health care professional. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a policy of group health insurance coverage or individual health insurance coverage shall, at a minimum, provide coverage and shall not require prior authorization or impose any cost-sharing requirements, including a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, for specified preventive health services. Effective January 1, 2027.
SB2287	02/07/2025	Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that, when a beneficiary, insured, or enrollee receives mental health services from a nonparticipating provider or a nonparticipating health care facility, the health insurance issuer shall ensure that the beneficiary, insured, or enrollee shall incur no greater out-of-pocket costs than the beneficiary, insured, or enrollee would have incurred with a participating provider or a participating health care facility. Requires any cost-sharing requirements to be applied as though the mental health services had been received from a participating provider or a participating health care facility. Provides that, if the cost sharing for the same item or service furnished by a participating provider would have been a flat-dollar copayment, that amount shall be the cost-sharing amount unless the provider has billed a lesser total amount. Provides that administrative requirements or limitations shall be no greater than those applicable to emergency services received from a participating provider or a participating health care facility. Permits a beneficiary, insured, or enrollee receiving ongoing mental health services from a nonparticipating provider to continue treatment with the nonparticipating provider for up to one year from the start of services or one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act, whichever is later, as if the mental health services were provided by a participating provider. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to require coverage under those provisions. Effective January 1, 2027.
SB2352	02/07/2025	Creates the People Over Parking Act. Provides that, except as otherwise provided in the Act, a unit of local government may not impose or enforce any minimum automobile parking requirements on a development project if the project is located within one-half mile of a public transportation hub. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Defines terms. Effective June 1, 2025.
SB2383	02/07/2025	Creates the Natural Organic Reduction Regulation Act. Provides that any person doing business in this State, or any cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or any other entity, may erect, maintain, and operate a natural organic reduction facility in the State and provide the necessary appliances and facilities for the natural organic reduction of human remains in accordance with the Act. Provides that an individual or a person, cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or other entity may reduce human remains only in a natural organic reduction facility operated by a disposition authority licensed for this purpose and only under the limitations provided in the Act. Provides for: grounds for denial or discipline; surrender of a license; license, display, transfer; authorizing agent; authorization for natural organic reduction; performance of natural organic reduction services, training; recordkeeping; natural organic reduction procedures; disposition of reduced human remains; limitation of liability; hazardous implants; penalties; failure to file an annual report; injunctive action, cease and desist order; service of notice; investigations, notice and hearing; compelling testimony; administrative review, venue, certification of record, costs; and preneed of natural organic reduction arrangements. Effective January 1, 2027.
SB1906	02/06/2025	Creates the Prescription Drug Purchasing Task Force Act. Creates a Prescription Drug Purchasing Task Force in the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to study the different ways that other states are using multi-state prescription drug purchasing pools to increase the State's negotiating power and lower prices for patients. Provides for duties of the Task Force. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that, on or before July 31, 2026, the Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and to the Governor. Provides that the Prescription Drug Purchasing Task Force is abolished and the Act is repealed on January 1, 2027.
SB1907	02/06/2025	Creates the Access to Prescription Drugs Act. Provides that any State agency may enter into partnerships to increase competition, lower prices, and address shortages in the market for generic prescription drugs; to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for public and private purchasers, taxpayers, and consumers; and to increase patient access to affordable drugs. Requires the partnerships to result in the production or distribution of generic prescription drugs with the intent that these drugs be made widely available to public and private purchasers, providers and suppliers, and pharmacies. Provides that the State agency shall comply with specified requirements when entering into partnerships or setting prices for generic prescription drugs. Requires a State agency that elects to enter into a partnership under the Act to submit separate reports to the General Assembly that (1) assess the feasibility of directly manufacturing generic prescription drugs and selling generic prescription drugs at a fair price; and (2) describe the status of all drugs targeted under the Act and analyze how the activities of the State agency may impact competition, access to targeted drugs, the costs of those drugs, and the costs of generic prescription drugs to public and private purchasers. Contains other provisions. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt certain information disclosed under Access to Prescription Drugs Act from inspection and copying under the Act. Contains a severability provision. Effective July 1, 2025.
SB1968	02/06/2025	Creates the Illinois Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council Act. Provides that the Illinois Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council is created to ensure that residents impacted by Illinois health care systems and public aid benefits have a voice in the State's implementation of various programs across State agencies. Sets forth the Council's objectives and duties which include: (i) identifying current shortfalls in the various public assistance, health care, and child care programs implemented at the State level; and (ii) recommending an overarching organizational structure to ensure coordination, alignment, and progress to assist all Illinoisans in accessing benefits at the State level. Contains provisions concerning Council membership. Requires the Council to meet at the call of the Chair at least 4 times beginning January 1, 2026; and for specified State agencies to attend at least 2 Council hearings in an advisory role. Requires the Council to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor by July 1, 2027. Provides that the Council is dissolved, and the Act is repealed, on July 1, 2028. Effective immediately.
SB1969	02/06/2025	Amends the Illinois Affordable Housing Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, to establish and implement a program that places in each senior congregate housing project and any other affordable housing project for seniors at least one social services worker staffed by the Department of Human Services for every 12 senior residents occupying the housing project. Provides that a social services worker who is assigned to staff a housing project with 12 or less senior residents shall be available on site within the building's premises on a full-time basis for 2 regularly scheduled days of each week. Provides that at least 2 social services workers who are assigned to staff a housing project with more than 12 senior residents shall be available on site within the building's premises on a full-time basis for 3 regularly scheduled days of each week. Provides that social services workers shall meet and engage with senior residents to evaluate and assess each resident's particular needs and connect them to the appropriate resources and supports.
SB1970	02/06/2025	Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the State Board of Education shall award grant money in the form of a voucher of $125,000 to a school district that submits a grant application to the State Board to be applied on the total purchase price of an electric school bus to effectively lower the purchase price of the electric school bus to the school district. Sets forth eligibility requirements for a school district to receive a grant. Provides that the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate a request for applications for grants towards the purchase of a electric school bus grant and applications shall be accepted on an annual basis. Provides that if the appropriation for grants under this Section for a given fiscal year is less than the amount required to fund all applications for grants, the State Board of Education shall give priority to school districts designated as Tier 1 or Tier 2 that do not have any electric school buses. Sets forth the application requirements. Allows the State Board of Education to adopt any rules necessary for the implementation of the provisions. Effective immediately.
SB1728	02/05/2025	Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Makes it a violation of the Real Estate Transactions Article of the Act to unlawfully discriminate using credit score and history, including insufficient credit history. Limits these provisions to landlord and tenant agreements only.
SB1515	02/04/2025	Amends the Attorney General Act. Creates an Office for Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls within the Office of the Attorney General. Provides that the Office shall: (1) serve as the legal and policy advisor to the Attorney General to ensure justice for missing and murdered Black women and girls; (2) develop recommendations for policies to address injustices in the criminal justice system's response to cases of missing and murdered Black women and girls; and (3) coordinate with State and local agencies to collect specified information and give technical assistance. Provides that, no later than January 1 after the effective date of the amendatory Act and biennially thereafter, the Office shall submit a report to the General Assembly on missing and murdered Black women and girls containing specified information.
SB1516	02/04/2025	Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall not collect a fee for a standard Illinois Identification Card issued to a transgender person, or the immediate family of that person, moving to Illinois due to an act of persecution. Effective immediately.
SB1609	02/04/2025	Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, for the purpose of ensuring that there is appropriated to the Agency on an annual basis the funding necessary to address the risk to public health and safety caused by emerging drinking water contaminants that have the potential to threaten drinking water supplies in the State, there is hereby appropriated, on a continuing annual basis in each fiscal year, from the General Revenue Fund to the Agency, the amount, if any, by which the total appropriation to the Agency from the General Revenue Fund for that fiscal year for that express purpose is less than $5,000,000.
SB1610	02/04/2025	Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that all State agencies shall waive any fees assessed to a formerly incarcerated person for services provided by that State agency for a period of one year after the release of that person from a facility operated by the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
SB1611	02/04/2025	Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that if the United States Supreme Court holds to be unconstitutional a provision under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) that prohibits a group health plan and health insurance issuer from establishing lifetime or annual limits on the dollar value of benefits, or if the holding makes Medicaid eligibility allowed under that specified provision inoperable, then the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall fully cover the costs of medical assistance for individuals affected by that holding, subject to appropriation. Provides that the Department shall not require individuals receiving medical assistance to work a minimum amount of hours in order to receive benefits.
SB1387	01/29/2025	Amends the State Comptroller Act. Provides that all State payments that are recurring payments to a vendor shall be made through direct deposit. Provides that it is the responsibility of the paying State agency to ensure compliance with the mandate. Defines "recurring payment". Effective immediately.
SB1388	01/29/2025	Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that, by December 31, 2025, the Regional Transportation Authority, the Board of the Commuter Rail Division of the Authority, the Board of the Suburban Bus Division of the Authority, and the Board of the Chicago Transit Authority shall create a program to provide free rides to persons earning under 138% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' poverty guidelines. Effective July 1, 2025.
SB1389	01/29/2025	Amends the Adult Protective Services Act. Expands the list of mandated reporters under the Act to include broker-dealers and officers, managers, and employees of financial institutions. Provides that financial exploitation of an adult with disabilities or a person aged 60 or older occurs when a person or entity (i) takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains real or personal property of an eligible adult for a wrongful use or with intent to defraud, or both; (ii) assists in taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining real or personal property of an eligible adult for a wrongful use or with intent to defraud, or both; (iii) knowingly aids and abets in the taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining of real or personal property of an eligible adult for a wrongful use or with intent to defraud, or both; or (iv) takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains, or assists in taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining, real or personal property of an eligible adult by undue influence. Sets forth when a financial institution or an officer, manager, or employee of a financial institution, a broker-dealer, or an investment adviser is deemed to have assisted in taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining real or personal property of an eligible adult. Sets forth when all other mandated reporters are deemed to have assisted in taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining real or personal property of an eligible adult. Exempts from liability nonsupervisory employees of a financial institution. Contains other provisions.
SB1262	01/28/2025	Amends the Department of Innovation and Technology Act. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2026, the Department of Innovation and Technology shall develop and implement a system that allows users accessing a website operated by the State to automatically translate the contents of that website into another language. Provides that the system shall provide automatic translation to at least the 100 most commonly spoken language in the State. Effective immediately.
SB1173	01/24/2025	Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act. Removes a provision that requires the application of a homeless individual for an Illinois Identification Card to be accompanied by an affirmation by a qualified person, on a form provided by the Secretary of State, that the applicant is currently homeless.
SB0088	01/17/2025	Amends the Illinois Affordable Housing Act. Provides that funds in the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund may be used for housing counseling. Defines "housing counseling" to mean services provided by an organization approved by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to be a HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency.