Johnson Reflects on Session Work Strengthening Worker Rights, Highlights Affordability Legislation and Responsible Budget

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With session adjourning Monday, state Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, is highlighting his efforts to increase worker rights and address the affordability crisis while passing a responsible, compassionate budget. 

 

“Families across the state are working day and night to make ends meet, and that’s a serious problem,” said Johnson. “That’s why I was focused on passing legislation that brings relief to homes across the state, from grocery store prices to insurance premiums.”

 

Some highlights of Johnson’s affordability agenda include:

• Creating new protections against artificial intelligence (AI) schemes that use personal data to raise prices (House Bill 4248),
• Expanding insurance coverage for evidence-based screenings for cancer, so medical decisions can be made by patients and their doctors not insurance companies (House Bill 5001),
• Making housing more affordable for renters by cracking down on duplicate or surprise fees not outlined in a lease agreement (House Bill 3564), and
• Stopping unfair insurance increases by empowering experts to review insurance rates and reject increases that simply pad profits (Senate Bill 1486). 

 

Fighting back against the financial insecurity caused by Washington, Johnson also passed a responsible, compassionate budget. Without raising taxes on working families, it fully funds after school programs, homelessness prevention and safety net hospitals. The spending plan protects local government funding, and further restores property tax relief grants for school districts, providing local governments greater flexibility to address property taxes. It also places a temporary freeze on the state gas tax which was expected to increase in July. 

 

“Our budget was being pulled in a lot of different directions, but we created one that puts the people of Illinois first,” said Johnson. “We’re funding the programs needed to support working families and underserved communities.”

 

This session Johnson sought to increase worker rights, successfully passing House Bill 4758 which prohibits employers from requiring that applicants have a driver’s license unless it is necessary for the position. This guarantees that applicants without a driver’s license have an equal opportunity to employment opportunities where they are not required. If a driver’s license is required for a posted position, the employer must provide a brief description on the job posting describing why it is considered necessary. 

 

“There’s more work ahead, and I’m going to keep fighting for working families,” said Johnson. “Let’s continue to build a stronger Illinois that tackles challenges and offers greater opportunity for everyone.”