SPRINGFIELD, – IL. – As the fall veto session approaches, State Representative Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is urging the House Rules Committee to release House Bill 473, legislation that would give Illinois high school student-athletes greater flexibility when transferring schools.

“High school is a time for students to grow, discover their strengths and prepare for their futures. Student-athletes should have a fair opportunity to pursue the educational and athletic environments that best support their success,” Lilly said. “House Bill 473 would give students greater flexibility while helping ensure they have opportunities to succeed both in the classroom and in competition.”

Under current Illinois High School Association (IHSA) rules, transferring schools can affect a student-athlete’s eligibility to compete. Sponsored by Lilly, House Bill 473 would require the IHSA and other organizations that regulate interscholastic athletics to allow students in grades 9 through 12 to transfer schools up to two times before additional transfer restrictions apply.
Over the summer, Lilly met with the IHSA executive director and members of the IHSA Board to discuss House Bill 473 and work with interscholastic athletic coaches to determine how to move forward. The discussions focused on exploring a path forward that considers the needs of student-athletes while addressing concerns surrounding transfer eligibility.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. Our policies should recognize that students’ circumstances can change and ensure they have a fair chance to pursue opportunities that support their growth and development,” Lilly said. “I am calling on the Rules Committee to release HB 473 so lawmakers can consider this proposal and work toward a fairer process for Illinois student-athletes.”

Lilly is urging the Rules Committee to advance House Bill 473 during the upcoming veto session, giving the legislation an opportunity to move forward in the legislative process.

SPRINGFIELD, – Ill. — With preeclampsia continuing to pose serious risks for mothers and babies, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is being recognized for her work to raise awareness of the condition and expand access to preeclampsia biomarker testing for women across Illinois. 

“These efforts are about giving women the information they need to understand their risks, advocate for their health and make informed decisions throughout pregnancy,” Lilly said. “When we can identify risk earlier, we give women and their doctors a greater opportunity to act before a serious complication occurs. At the end of the day, every woman deserves access to the information, care and tools she needs to protect her health and the health of her baby.” 

Lilly championed legislation to expand insurance coverage for preeclampsia biomarker testing, including House Bill 3706, which addresses coverage for women with private insurance. The Medicaid coverage provision was included in an omnibus Medicaid package, Senate Bill 3365, ensuring women covered by Medicaid also have access to preeclampsia biomarker testing. Together, these efforts help remove financial barriers to testing that can provide important information about a woman’s risk of developing preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure that can threaten the health of both mother and baby. It can contribute to preterm birth, costly NICU stays, long-term health consequences and avoidable health care costs. Approximately 13,000 babies are born preterm in Illinois each year, according to the March of Dimes, while the Illinois Department of Public Health reports that approximately 1 in 8 pregnancies in Illinois experiences hypertension. Preeclampsia also disproportionately affects Black women, occurring approximately 60% more often among Black women and contributing to persistent maternal health disparities.

“There are many leaders across our Illinois communities who share my commitment to improving maternal health, and this progress has been possible because we have worked together,” Lilly said. “Through innovation and collaboration, we are finding new ways to identify a woman’s individual risk of developing preeclampsia before symptoms appear and making sure that women have access to the information and care they need to have healthier pregnancies.” 

Lilly’s continued work on preeclampsia awareness and maternal health reflects a broader commitment to giving Illinois women the information, resources and access to care they need to advocate for themselves and their babies. By supporting earlier identification of risk and expanding coverage for testing, Illinois can give patients and health care providers more opportunities to act before serious complications occur.

SPRINGFIELD, – Ill. — With online harassment and technology-facilitated abuse presenting new challenges for survivors, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is lauding the signing of legislation to strengthen protective orders and give courts greater authority to address digital harassment, tracking and the misuse of private images.

“Technology should never be used as a weapon to intimidate, threaten or control another person,” Lilly said. “Survivors deserve protections that reflect the realities of today’s world. This legislation gives courts stronger tools to address digital harassment and helps ensure those being targeted have meaningful avenues for protection and accountability.”

Senate Bill 3020 modernizes Illinois’ protective order laws to address evolving forms of harassment, including doxing, electronically generated or digitally altered content, sexual private images and digitally-altered sexual images. The law empowers courts to order individuals subject to protective orders to stop creating, using or distributing harassing material and to require its removal and deletion. It also gives courts the authority to order the removal of electronic tracking devices, monitoring systems and tracking information and establishes procedures for extending plenary protective orders. Additionally, the legislation makes corresponding changes to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, strengthening protections for survivors facing both traditional and technology-facilitated forms of abuse.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes, communities and online,” Lilly said. “I am proud to sponsor legislation that strengthens protections for survivors and ensures our laws keep pace with the ways harassment and abuse are evolving.”

The new law reflects Illinois’ continued commitment to strengthening protections for survivors and addressing emerging forms of abuse. By recognizing the ways technology can be used to harass, monitor and control others, Senate Bill 3020 helps ensure survivors have stronger legal protections and that those who misuse technology to cause harm can be held accountable.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is celebrating the governor’s signing of legislation she sponsored to expand education for health care professionals on perimenopause and menopause, helping improve care for women during often overlooked stages of life.

“For far too long, women’s concerns surrounding perimenopause and menopause have been dismissed or misunderstood,” Lilly said. “With this legislation now signed into law, Illinois is taking an important step toward ensuring health care professionals are better equipped to recognize these stages of life and provide the knowledgeable, compassionate care women deserve.”

Senate Bill 3325 allows a course covering perimenopause and menopause to count toward the implicit bias awareness training requirement that licensed health care professionals with continuing education obligations must complete during each license renewal period beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The law also defines perimenopause and menopause in Illinois statute, helping ensure providers receive education on the physical and medical changes associated with these stages of life.

“Education leads to better care, earlier conversations and improved health outcomes,” Lilly said. “By making this topic part of continuing education, we are helping create a health care system where women feel heard, supported and treated with the respect they deserve.”

Senate Bill 3325 was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker and takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is celebrating the signing of legislation she chief co-sponsored that will expand insurance coverage for medically-prescribed seizure detection devices, ensuring more Illinoisans living with seizure disorders have access to lifesaving technology that can improve safety, support caregivers and provide greater peace of mind for families.

“No one should have to wonder whether cost will stand in the way of accessing technology that could save a life,” Lilly said. “With this legislation now signed into law, Illinois is making sure more people living with seizure disorders can access the devices they need to stay safe and live with greater confidence.”

Senate Bill 2762 requires individual and group health insurance plans issued or renewed to provide coverage for medically prescribed seizure detection devices approved for use by individuals. The law also ensures that patients and their health care providers can choose the device that best meets an individual’s medical needs while prohibiting prior authorization requirements and cost-sharing for covered devices. In addition, the coverage requirement extends to state employee, local government, school and Medicaid health plans.

“This law is about putting patients and families first,” Lilly said. “By expanding insurance coverage for seizure detection devices, we’re reducing barriers to care, supporting caregivers and giving families greater reassurance that their loved ones have access to the tools that can make a real difference every day.”

Senate Bill 2762 was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker and takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is highlighting the importance of legislation she chief co-sponsored that would expand access to medically-prescribed seizure detection devices, helping improve safety and peace of mind for individuals living with seizure disorders and their families.

“Access to lifesaving medical technology should never depend on a person’s ability to pay,” Lilly said. “This legislation ensures that individuals living with seizure disorders can access the devices their doctors recommend, giving them the opportunity to live with greater safety, independence, and peace of mind.”

Senate Bill 2762 would require individual and group health insurance plans issued or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2027, to provide coverage for medically-prescribed seizure detection devices approved for use by individuals. The legislation also ensures that patients and their medical providers can choose the device that best meets the individual’s medical needs while prohibiting prior authorization requirements and cost-sharing for covered devices. The measure would also extend the coverage requirement to state employee, local government, school and Medicaid health plans.

“Families managing seizure disorders already face enough uncertainty without worrying about whether essential medical equipment will be covered,” Lilly said. “By removing unnecessary barriers to care, we can help improve health outcomes, support caregivers and give families greater peace of mind.”

Senate Bill 2762 passed both the Illinois House and Senate and now awaits action by Gov. JB Pritzker.

SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is highlighting the importance of legislation she sponsored that would expand education for health care professionals on perimenopause and menopause, helping improve care for women during often overlooked stages of life.

“Women deserve to have their health concerns taken seriously at every stage of life,” Lilly said. “By increasing awareness and understanding of perimenopause and menopause among health care professionals, we can help ensure women receive informed, compassionate care and have their experiences recognized.”

Senate Bill 3325 would allow a course covering perimenopause and menopause to count toward the implicit bias awareness training requirement that licensed health care professionals with continuing education obligations must complete during each license renewal period beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The legislation also defines perimenopause and menopause in Illinois law, helping ensure providers receive education on the physical and medical changes associated with these stages of life.

“Too many women face challenges finding answers and support when navigating perimenopause and menopause,” Lilly said. “This legislation helps close that gap by giving health care professionals additional tools to better understand their patients’ needs and provide the quality care every woman deserves.”

Senate Bill 3325 passed both the Illinois House and Senate and now awaits action by Gov. JB Pritzker.

CHICAGO – A state budget focused on affordability is now law thanks to state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, who helped pass a balanced budget prioritizing direct relief for Illinoisans and investing in the resources Washington is trying to slash.

“Families across our communities are doing everything they can, but too many are still struggling under rising costs,” Lilly said. “This budget is about stepping up—making life more affordable, protecting healthcare, and strengthening our neighborhoods. It’s about action, because when people are struggling, they need us to show up.” 

Lilly’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 over 100,000 Illinoisans, Lilly’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 Lilly-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.”

–Delivering 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.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, advanced legislation to the governor’s desk that updates continuing education requirements for health care professionals by allowing training on perimenopause and menopause to count toward implicit bias education requirements.

“Far too often, conversations around perimenopause and menopause are overlooked in health care settings, leaving many patients feeling unheard or misunderstood,” Lilly said. “This legislation helps ensure providers receive education that improves awareness, strengthens communication, and leads to more compassionate, informed care for women across Illinois.”

Senate Bill 3325 changes Illinois rules for health care professionals. Starting January 1, 2027, doctors and other health care workers who must take continuing education can count a class about perimenopause and menopause toward their required one-hour training on implicit bias for each license renewal period. The measure also establishes official definitions for perimenopause and menopause.

“Women deserve to have their health concerns taken seriously at every stage of life,” Lilly said. “By recognizing the importance of education around perimenopause and menopause, we are helping build a health care system that is more responsive, equitable, and better prepared to meet patients’ needs.”

Senate Bill 3325 has passed both chambers of the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, advanced legislation to the governor’s desk that expands access to scholarships for students pursuing careers in school social work.

“Students deserve access to the support and resources they need to pursue careers that strengthen our schools and communities,” Lilly said. “By expanding this scholarship program, we are helping remove financial barriers for future school social workers and investing in the mental health and well-being of our students.”

House Bill 5460 updates the Illinois’ school social work scholarship program by expanding eligibility to more social work students, including those pursuing social work licenses and those earning a master’s degree in social work before entering a school social work program. The measure also allows scholarships to be used at private nonprofit colleges in Illinois that prepare students to become licensed school social workers.

Supporters say the measure will help address workforce shortages in school social work and increase access to qualified mental health professionals in schools across Illinois.

“School social workers play an important role in supporting students’ academic success and emotional health,” Lilly said. “This legislation helps build a stronger pipeline of professionals who are prepared to meet the growing needs of students and families.”

The measure has passed both chambers of the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature.