SPRINGFIELD – Working to protect the health and well-being of young Illinois residents, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) voted to pass a bill that will increase the age of smoking from 18 to 21.

“Smoking and the general use of tobacco products is an addictive and dangerous habit,” Fine said. “For most people, it’s not a matter of if you get cancer, it’s a matter of when. By increasing the age at which people can legally access these products, studies show that people will be less likely to take up smoking in the first place.”

House Bill 345, commonly known as “Tobacco 21”, will prohibit the sale and purchase of tobaccos products to those under 21 years of age. The current age is 18.

The bill passed both chambers of the General Assembly with bipartisan support, and will now be sent to the Governor.

SPRINGFIELD – Under a new bill sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), health insurance companies would be required to provide more comprehensive mental healthcare coverage.

A Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) is a specific type of group care to treat common mental health issues that require frequent and systematic follow-ups, such as depression and anxiety. Fine’s legislation, Senate Bill 2085, mandates insurance providers to include a CoCM in their coverage.

“Collaborative care models can often be more effective in treating patients with common mental health issues, and can save money for both patients and providers,” Fine said. “By requiring insurance companies to cover this type of integrated care, we allow patients in Illinois to have more freedom to seek out the care that is best for them.”

The bill passed through the Senate Committee on Insurance by a vote of 18 – 0 and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State workers would be required to live within the state of Illinois under a new proposal by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

“State workers’ salaries are paid by Illinois taxpayers,” Fine said. “It just makes sense that if you’re going to be paid by income, sales, and property taxes that Illinois residents pay, then you should be subject to those same taxes.”

Senate Bill 1639 establishes a requirement that to work for any state agency within Illinois, a person must live in the state. The measure would not affect employees who work for a contractor that has a contract with the state, and allows for a three-month grace period.

The bill passed the Senate Committee on State Government and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Responding to a situation that puts parents in the impossible position of choosing between maintaining custody of their child or providing their child mental health care, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) put forth legislation addressing eligibility for various Department of Child and Family Services programs.

“Many parents must face a heart-wrenching choice between providing their child the care they need and retaining custody of their child,” Fine said. “This bill eliminates that awful dilemma and allows parents more flexibility in caring for their child.”

Senate Bill 191 concerns eligibility for the Family Support Program services or an Individual Care Grant. Under current law, parents may be forced to lose custody of their children in order to provide them the mental health care they require. Because of this, many parents opt not to provide that care, leaving youths untreated and increasing their risk of delinquency.

The measure, which passed a Senate committee today, retains a child’s eligibility for an Individual Care Grant, which provides funding to parents of children with mental illnesses, even if they are placed under DCFS guardianship.

The bill is an initiative of the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian. It passed the Senate committee on Human Services and will proceed to the full Senate for consideration.