SPRINGFIELD – To broaden protections for employees speaking out against issues like harassment and discrimination, State Senator Laura Fine is leading a measure to clarify employees’ rights. The measure focuses on unlawful practices and provides protections from unfair labor practices.

“As we work to provide more opportunities to Illinoisans, we must also expand efforts to promote safety and justice in the workforce,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “In the unfortunate case an employee faces unlawful employment practices, we want to ensure their voices are protected when reporting workplace harassment.”

Current law provides essential protections by barring employers from requiring their workers to maintain confidentiality agreements regarding employment discrimination. Building on these efforts, Fine’s measure would include crucial safeguards for victims of harassment in the workplace by prohibiting employers from imposing unlawful restrictions on their employees through workplace confidentiality agreements.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase compassion and awareness for those impacted by tardive dyskinesia, State Senator Laura Fine led a resolution to designate the week of May 4-10, 2025 as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in Illinois.

“Developing a medical complication while treating a mental health condition is usually unexpected,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This resolution seeks to build on public awareness and sensitivity to those impacted by tardive dyskinesia, giving those with the condition access to necessary support and a sense of dignity.”

Tardive dyskinesia is a condition characterized by uncontrollable, repetitive movements affecting the face, torso, and other body parts. This condition may develop after several months of taking certain medications to treat mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia. Approximately 800,000 people in the U.S. experience symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase awareness about the health and environmental benefits of compost practices, State Senator Laura Fine presented a resolution to the Senate establishing the week of May 4-10, 2025 as Compost Awareness Week.

“This resolution raises public awareness about why composting organic materials and using compost to create a healthier environment improves our quality of life,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Communities, schools, organizations and businesses can participate in composting activities to benefit their own space and contribute to a large-scale effort to encourage sustainability.”

Senate Resolution 100 seeks to promote the importance of composting and its role in growing healthier food, supporting fertile soil, and ultimately creating a more sustainable world.

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing her work to increase affordable access to vital health care services, State Senator Laura Fine is sponsoring a measure addressing coverage for emergency neonatal intensive care.

“Every newborn deserves a fighting chance, especially in the critical first hours of life,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Parents want their children to be safe and healthy, and an unexpected birth complication can lead to permanent consequences if not promptly treated.”

To treat premature or critically ill newborns, neonatal care is often necessary and may require specialized treatments that might not be covered by a patient’s health insurance network. House Bill 2464 would address the importance of immediate care by requiring private insurers to cover emergency neonatal care, regardless of whether the provider is in or out of the patient’s network. This ensures families are not billed for greater out-of-pocket costs than they would have incurred with a participating provider.