CHICAGO — A state budget focused on affordability is now law thanks to state Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, who helped pass a balanced budget prioritizing direct relief for Illinoisans and investing in the resources Washington is trying to slash.

“Going into session this year, I knew we needed a budget that puts the needs of working families and underserved communities first,” said Grasse. “After several long months, I’m happy to share that we passed a budget that serves that exact purpose. It’s delivering real relief to families across our communities and protecting essential services the federal government is trying to cut. Our families deserve to feel supported and that’s what we’re doing with this budget.”

Grasse’s work this legislative session concluded in passing a fiscally and socially responsible budget that relieves the cost-of-living crisis while making key investments in food security and other state services at risk of federal funding losses or total elimination. 

The budget takes a number of smart steps to help families make ends meet, including:

• Nearly $100 million to help families afford groceries and put food on the table. As Washington slashes nutrition assistance for more than 100,000 Illinoisans, Grasse’s budget includes a new FRESH Program, which provides a one-time credit of up to $400, giving families a lifeline while they work with providers to reactivate benefits. Additionally, the Grasse-backed budget expands free and reduced-cost school lunches ensuring children affected by SNAP cuts have a sustainable meal, and funding for the Illinois Grocery Initiative to expand access to fresh food in food deserts. 

• Making back-to-school shopping more affordable by cutting the state sales tax on clothes, supplies, and other essentials for students, families, and teachers beginning in August.

• Freezing the gas tax to give families a break at the pump.

• Restoring property tax relief grants for schools so communities statewide can get relief. 

• $500 million focused on affordable homes for working families, including investment in new home construction to meet the needs of working families who do not qualify for traditional assistance, but still face a significant lack of quality homes in their price range—a growing population known as the “missing middle.”  

This budget keeps families safe and strengthens communities. As families face healthcare access threats like Medicaid cuts, the new state budget delivers full funding to maintain and operate critical safety-net hospitals, with an additional $10 million dedicated to support Federally Qualified Health Centers for the most vulnerable families. Public safety initiatives including homelessness prevention and community-based violence prevention will also receive full funding.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – State Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, released the following statement on the Chicago Bears’ Board of Directors vote to advance development in Hammond, Indiana:

“For the past several years, we have worked closely with the Chicago Bears to advance a stadium development in Arlington Heights.

“In April, we believed we had found a solution by passing an extensive economic development package that would bolster statewide development while providing much needed property tax relief for working families.

“While Indiana is willing to raise taxes and place additional burdens on working families in a bid to draw in the Bears, that’s not in the best interest of people in our community. I am determined to see the Arlington Park site be responsibly developed, whether through continued conversations with the Bears or other parties.

“I remain committed to putting the needs of the people first, and that means prioritizing financial relief from the gas pump to the kitchen table.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, finished the spring legislative session with the passage of a fiscally responsible budget, new laws cutting the cost of living and a range of affordable healthcare expansions.

“Illinoisans have been battling the challenges of an affordability crisis for too long, and making life easier is my priority,” Grasse said. “I have fought to secure a range of new measures to cut the cost of living and do what’s right for Illinois to fix what’s wrong in Washington.”

Grasse’s support for affability legislation included:

• House Bill 45: Expands access to savings by requiring retailers to honor all advertised sales or coupons, even if customers cannot access an app or operate digital coupons.
• House Bill 228: Cracks down on junk fees and hidden costs by requiring businesses disclose all mandatory fees and charges added on top of an advertised purchase price.
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• House Bill 4044: Strengthens consumer rights by banning no-return policies that limit customers to store credit for unused, unopened items for most purchases. 
• House Bill 4514: Allows residents to voice opposition to general rate increases by requiring public utility companies fully inform residents of their rights prior to a rate proposal.

Grasse also backed a fiscally and socially responsible budget that funds afterschool programs, homelessness prevention, property tax relief grants for school districts and food security for people who lose their SNAP benefits. In response to instability in the global market, it also temporarily freezes the gas tax.

“Our budget is a reflection of our values, and, while we’re under attack by an uncaring federal government, preserving services for those who need assistance most has to be a priority,” Grasse said. “Without any new taxes on working people, we fully funded afterschool programs, food security for people facing SNAP cuts and property tax relief for Illinois schools.”

Grasse led the charge on numerous new measures including House Bill 4509, which expands mental health care requirements for seniors in long-term care homes; House Bill 4665, which brings transparency to hospice and palliative care costs in the Illinois corrections system; and Senate Bill 2921, which expands coverage for vital topical eye medication.

“While there is a lot more work to do, this session brought a great deal of progress for our community and vital assistance for vulnerable people across Illinois,” Grasse said. “I’m eager to continue the work of building a stronger future for us this summer.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A measure backed by state Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, designed to cut the cost of medical care for menopause symptoms while cracking down on workplace discrimination, passed the legislature Thursday.

“Most women will, at some point in their lives, experience the often difficult physical and emotional effects of menopause, yet it remains a topic that receives far too little attention,” Grasse said. “Insurance coverage for treatment and symptom management is too often inadequate, workplace discrimination and stigma are still tolerated, and access to reliable public health information remains limited. It’s time we start treating menopause as the serious health issue it is and ensure women are supported with dignity, care and understanding.”

Continuing her efforts to ensure comprehensive affordable healthcare for all Illinoisans who need it, Grasse backed House Bill 5284, the Menopause Equity and Care Act. This legislation will help people overcome the challenges of menopause symptoms by:

• Requiring the Department of Public Health to create educational materials about menopause including symptoms, care options and patients’ rights, be made available online,
• Designating a “Menopause Awareness Week,”
• Stipulating insurance policies cover medical evaluations and recommended medical care for menopause,
• Determining menopause-related discrimination in the workplace is a civil rights violation, and
• Allowing for reasonable workplace accommodations for workers dealing with menopause-related symptoms.

“Healthcare is a human right and fighting for that right means extending sufficient and affordable medical assistance for all health challenges without exception. Symptoms related to menopause deserve nothing less than that level of coverage,” Grasse said. “Affordability has been key for me, and the thought of a person going through menopause not being able to afford medical care for difficult symptoms is intolerable.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Consumers will be better protected from rising prescription costs under new legislation backed by state Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, which passed the House last week.

“Reining in the cost of prescription drugs is one of my top priorities this year. Creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board is a real step toward holding big corporations accountable when they put profits over people,” Grasse said. “No parent should have to stretch every dollar to get their child the medication they need. No senior should have to choose between their prescriptions and everything else they rely on to live. This board is about protecting people, plain and simple.”

Senate Bill 3496 establishes the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, which tasks appointed members to review prescription drugs sold in Illinois and establish an upper payment limit (UPL) for consumers. Initially, the board will be tasked with adopting a UPL on 10 prescription drugs that meet Medicare’s Maximum Fair Price (MFP) standards.

Once adopted, the payment limit will apply to those prescriptions when sold in Illinois. The practice is similar to an existing statute meant to protect ratepayers from utility hikes. Ten other states, including New York and Colorado, have established similar boards or granted upper payment limit authority to other agencies in effort to keep prescription drugs affordable and accessible to patients.

“Affordable healthcare is a human right, and securing that right could not be more important as the cost-of-living continues to pose enormous challenges to many Illinoisans,” Grasse said. “The federal government is cutting funding for essential services, but in Illinois, we’re doing everything we can to fight back.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A new bill supported by state Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, seeks to prohibit online retailers from discreetly using “surveillance pricing”—a predatory practice that sets online prices to the highest amount the merchant believes a given consumer will pay, based on an algorithm or artificial intelligence (AI). 

This legislation passed the House on Friday and will soon go to the Senate for consideration.

“Working people in Illinois–who are already dealing with too many cost-of-living challenges– shouldn’t have to overcome high-tech exploitation like algorithmic pricing as well,” Grasse said. “By harnessing big data, bad actors are able to identify consumers who are most in-need of their products and jack up online prices, knowing those people will have little choice but to pay up. For the sake of new parents being forced to pay more for essentials like diapers and baby formula, and for countless others being targeted, I’m committed to ending this kind of treatment.”

Many apps and online stores are using your personal data, browsing history, and your financial and demographic profile, to set the highest price you’re willing to pay—and that’s driving the affordability crisis.

Grasse supported House Bill 4248, which bans apps and online retailers from using a shopper’s personal data or demographic profile to raise prices. Traditional, non-AI pricing models like voluntary rewards programs, manufacturing cost adjustments, and special discounts may continue.  

“Consumer protection plays an essential part of my affordability goals,” Grasse said. “In addition to steps like cutting the costs of prescription drugs and securing property tax assistance for those who need it most, people deserve a marketplace that is fair, not profit-padding tactics.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Fighting to restore affordability for Illinois households, state Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, is advancing a series of bills to the governor’s desk cutting costs on everyday purchases and utilities, banning gimmicks that raise prices and requiring businesses fairly compensate consumers.

“Too many people in our community and across Illinois are facing enormous challenges at the hands of an affordability crisis, and easing the cost-of-living has been my priority from day one,” Grasse said. “New laws ensuring coupons are honored, cracking down on hidden fees that jack up prices of everyday goods, strengthening consumer protections and fostering transparency when setting utility rates will help make life easier for those who need it most. These are just some of the steps I’ve taken to make Illinois more affordable and the work is not nearly done. I’m confident there will be more legislative victories in the coming days.”

While federal policies and international instability are making everything more expensive, Grasse is taking charge of what Illinois can control, and championing policy to provide some immediate relief.

Grasse worked to pass the following cost-cutting measures:

• • House Bill 45: Expands access to savings by requiring retailers to honor all advertised sales or coupons, even if customers cannot access an app or operate digital coupons.
  • House Bill 228: Cracks down on junk fees and hidden costs by requiring businesses disclose all mandatory fees and charges added on top of an advertised purchase price.

• House Bill 4044: Strengthens consumer rights by banning no-return policies that limit customers to store credit for unused, unopened items for most purchases. 
• House Bill 4514: Allows residents to voice opposition to general rate increases by requiring public utility companies fully inform residents of their rights prior to a rate proposal.

All four measures successfully advanced through House and Senate chambers. They await the governor’s consideration before being signed into law.

“In addition to passing these laws and many others, I’m putting in the hours crafting a balanced budget that provides the most vulnerable among us with the services they need while helping build a stronger future for this community,” Grasse said. “Affordability was a priority from the start, and now we’re seeing that pay off.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A public health measure led by state Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, to prepare hospitals for infectious disease threats by updating threat response guidelines has passed the legislature.

“When it comes to public health crises, robust preparation and up-to-date preparedness policies are much more impactful than responses that come after harm has already begun. A proactive posture saves lives, mitigates health risks and eases economic losses,” Grasse said. “These common-sense reforms can make a significant difference in harm reduction as new threats arise.”

House Bill 4977 makes a simple change to Illinois’ Hospital Licensing Act by including “pathogens of epidemiological concern” as a form of multidrug-resistant organisms. These pathogens are defined by a range of traits which indicate a propensity for rapid transmission, especially within healthcare facilities. It also repeals the MRSA Screening and Reporting Act, which will now be covered by the expanded definition.

This legislation passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support and now moves to the governor’s desk for signature.

“With all aspects of public safety policy, we can’t afford to wait until a threat is obvious to act,” Grasse said. “I’ve been working for a wide-range of bills to get more healthcare to every Illinoisan, and I’m helping craft a budget that supports hospitals and other health services as much as necessary. Up-to-date public health guidelines are another piece of the puzzle, and this measure represents significant progress.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — State Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, helped pass a bill expanding the eligibility threshold for reduced vehicle registration fees so more Illinois seniors and residents who have a disability can qualify for assistance.

“As countless Illinoisans are forced to overcome high prices everywhere they turn, I’m committed to cutting the cost-of-living and relieving financial burdens that make people’s lives harder,” Grasse said. “Seniors and Illinoisans living with disabilities are some of the groups most hurt by Trump cuts to support programs, and everything we can do to offset these cuts is progress.”

Illinois’ Benefit Access Program reduces annual vehicle registration costs for senior citizens and individuals who have a disability based on their incomes. But inflation has meant that seniors receiving Social Security and other individuals on disability may be priced out of the program.

The Grasse-backed House Bill 4157 seeks to amend current law so more seniors and residents who have a disability meet the income eligibility amounts for reduced vehicle registration fees. In coming years, income thresholds will also be tied to the cost-of-living, ensuring no one loses access due to inflation.

Under House Bill 4157, the income threshold limit for a household of one will be raised to $33,562, the threshold for a household of two raised to $44,533 and the threshold for a household of three raised to $55,500 to qualify for reduced fees.

“This measure is part of a comprehensive approach I’m taking to promote affordability,” Grasse said. “Legislation relieving property tax burdens, slashing junk fees, lowering housing prices and even lessening the financial impacts in Illinois’ corrections system are all steps I’ve taken towards an easier, less-expensive life for all Illinoisans.”

House Bill 4157 passed the House floor and awaits Senate consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, is advancing legislation to ensure seriously ill, homebound and hospitalized Illinoisans are not denied the right to marry simply
because they cannot travel.

“Marriage is a fundamental right between consenting adults,” Grasse said. “For those who are seriously ill or physically unable to leave their home or hospital room, we have a responsibility to meet them where they are. This is about dignity, equity and making sure love is not limited by circumstance.”

House Bill 4508 amends the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to allow eligible individuals to apply for a marriage license remotely or have a clerk come to them with medical authorization. The bill builds on policies first used during the COVID-19 pandemic and removes unnecessary barriers for people already facing profound challenges.

This legislation passed the House on Tuesday and will soon be heard in the Senate.