SPRINGFIELD, ILL – State Representative Yolonda Morris, D-Chicago, is celebrating the enactment of House Bill 5284, the Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act, which is now law in Illinois.

House Bill 5284 passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly and became Public Act 104-0793 on August 7, 2026. The new law advances menopause education, expands access to menopause-related care and strengthens workplace protections for individuals experiencing menopause and related conditions.

“For too long, menopause has been overlooked in conversations about health care and the workplace,” said State Representative Yolonda Morris. “This law ensures that people experiencing menopause have greater access to information and care and are treated with dignity and respect. I am proud to have championed this legislation and to see it become law for people across Illinois.”

The Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act represents an important step toward greater awareness, access and support for people experiencing menopause throughout the state.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL – Illinois rideshare drivers now have new rights to organize, bargain collectively and advocate for fair treatment under legislation sponsored by State Rep. Yolonda
Morris, D- Chicago, and recently signed into law. 

“Every day, rideshare drivers work hard to get people to work, school, appointments and wherever they need to go. They deserve a voice in the decisions that affect their ability to earn a living,” Morris said. “As a former union organizer, I know firsthand how important it is for workers to come together and advocate for themselves. This legislation gives rideshare drivers that voice and holds companies accountable when drivers are deactivated.” 

Under House Bill 5090, now Public Act 104-0788, transportation network drivers have the right to organize, form or join driver organizations and bargain collectively. The law establishes a process through the Illinois Labor Relations Board for certifying a transportation network driver organization as the exclusive bargaining representative for a bargaining unit.

The law also requires covered transportation network companies to bargain with the certified representative on mandatory subjects of bargaining and establishes protections against unfair labor practices. Beginning 90 days after the law takes effect, covered transportation network companies will also be required to pay a fee for each trip originating in Illinois, with the funds deposited into the Rideshare Workers Support Fund.

House Bill 5090 also establishes procedures for bargaining, resolving disputes and addressing unfair work practices, while making conforming changes to the Freedom of Information Act and Labor Dispute Act.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Yolonda Morris, D-Chicago, advanced legislation to the governor’s desk that improves access to healthcare, expands education, and clarifies workplace protections for individuals experiencing menopause.

“For too long, menopause has been treated as a private struggle instead of a public health issue that deserves attention and support,” Morris said. “This legislation helps ensure people have access to accurate information, appropriate medical care, and fair treatment in the workplace.”

House Bill 5284, the Menopause Equity and Care Act, takes a comprehensive approach to addressing gaps in menopause education, healthcare access, and workplace understanding. The legislation provides accessible public educational materials to help individuals better understand menopause and available care options, ensures insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment based on established clinical guidelines, and offers optional resources for healthcare providers to support informed, evidence-based care. The measure also recognizes menopause- related conditions within the framework of the Illinois Human Rights Act, allowing for reasonable workplace accommodations where appropriate.

Menopause affects nearly all women, with approximately 80% experiencing symptoms that can significantly impact overall health, well-being, and workplace performance. Supporters of the legislation note that menopause is not only a healthcare issue, but also an economic and workforce issue that affects productivity, retention, and quality of life for a significant portion of the population.

“No one should feel dismissed or unsupported while navigating a major stage of their health journey,” Morris said. “By improving education and expanding protections, we are helping create healthier workplaces and stronger outcomes for women across Illinois.”

House Bill 5284 has passed both chambers of the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Yolonda Morris, D-Chicago, has passed several key pieces of legislation out of the House, sending measures to the Senate that aim to strengthen communities, improve public health, and expand protections for residents across Illinois.

“My focus has always been advancing solutions that strengthen and protect our communities,” Morris said. “With these bills now headed to the Senate, we are taking important steps toward a healthier, safer, and more supportive Illinois for working families.”

Among the measures:

• House Bill 5515 expands access to green space by allowing the Chicago Park District to create small public gardens featuring native plants that support pollinators like butterflies, promoting healthier ecosystems and enhancing neighborhood spaces.
• House Bill 5471 strengthens oversight of community living service agencies by reducing the licensing period from three years to two years, ensuring higher standards of care and greater accountability.
• House Bill 5284, the Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act, expands access to menopause-related care through public education, improved provider training, insurance coverage beginning in 2028, and protections against discrimination.
• House Bill 4643 enhances protections against abuse and neglect by establishing accountability for individuals who interfere with investigations, helping ensure reports are handled with integrity and urgency.
• House Bill 4207 improves preventive healthcare by requiring insurance coverage for heart scans every three years for individuals over age 40, supporting early detection of heart disease.

“These bills reflect the kind of progress our communities deserve- practical policies that protect health, strengthen neighborhoods, and hold systems accountable,” Morris said. “I look forward to working with the Senate to move this work across the finish line.”

CHICAGO, Ill. – Following today’s Governor’s budget address, State Representative Yolonda Morris released the following statement, emphasizing a commitment to fiscal responsibility, protecting vital programs, and ensuring that Illinois families receive the support they need:

“We all want a future that puts less strain on working families, and that work starts now. My focus has always been ensuring that families across Illinois have the financial stability and resources they need to live healthy, prosperous lives.

“In a year of uncertainty, I will continue fighting to make sure decisions made in Washington do not have devastating consequences for our communities. Our schools, hospitals, and neighborhood grocery stores should not suffer as a result.

“Last year, we secured hundreds of millions of dollars in new investments for programs that were at risk of being cut. These funds strengthened our schools, supported safety-net hospitals, and helped deliver critical services to some of our most vulnerable residents. These were not small victories — they represent real, tangible support for families and communities across our district and throughout our state.

“The work does not stop here. In the months ahead, I will continue advocating for responsible policies and strategic investments that put Illinois families first, protect essential public services, and build a stronger, more equitable future for all.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Yolanda Morris, D-Chicago, is opposing the ‘Trump healthcare cut bill’ after it passed the House and Senate this week.

“This bill is everything but beautiful,” Morris said. “It is another action by the Trump administration to ultimately achieve his mission to make life harder for people who already suffer so greatly in this economy by detrimentally impacting several vulnerable communities, including mine by limiting their access to healthcare and food, while raising their taxes.” 

The legislation, which critics have dubbed the ‘Trump healthcare cut bill’ is expected to set disadvantaged communities ten steps back. It includes sweeping reductions to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This threatens to unravel vital lifelines for millions of Americans as analysis indicates that the bill could force families to meet new, stricter eligibility standards for basic healthcare coverage and food assistance- if they don’t lose those supports altogether.

“A President is supposed to be a President to all Americans,” Morris said. “Any time Donald Trump puts his pen on a piece of paper, he is looking out for one population – people that look like him. We know that this bill will cut taxes for higher earners, and leave everyone else behind. Since taking office in January, we have seen an array of questioning decisions coming out of Washington and this is no different. My colleagues and I will continue to fight for your peace of mind, especially in the midst of these trying times.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Yolanda Morris, D-Chicago, a former Certified Nursing Assistant and huge proponent of improving healthcare, spearheaded two key bills that promote fairness and encourage growth for healthcare professionals while improving access to care and protecting patients in Illinois. 

“The ultimate goal is for all Illinois residents to prosper and in order for that to happen, their mental and physical well-being must be a priority,” Morris said. “People on the outside looking in are wrong – many of them believe that our vulnerable populations do not care about their well- being. The truth is that they do not have the resources that others have to primary care physicians. When I returned to Springfield this year, I wanted to put measures in place that increase access to primary care and specialized services for our underserved communities so they too, have the ability to take charge of their health.” 

Morris led the effort to pass two crucial measures, including allowing certified nurse midwives with full practice authority to enter into a collaborative agreement with an advanced practice registered nurse (House Bill 2688) and creating a tiered decision making system, distinguishing which investigations require paid administrative leave or reassignment based on offenses reportable to the Healthcare Worker Registry, and which do not (House Bill 3718).

House Bill 2688 takes vital steps to address the state’s maternal health crisis and improve access to care, cost savings and better patient outcomes while House Bill 3718 is necessary to ensure patient safety and protect vulnerable individuals, legal compliance, fair and efficient investigations and maintain a positive workplace culture. 

“As long as I represent my community in the House chamber, our most vulnerable populations will have a loud voice that advocates for the betterment of themselves and their families,” Morris said. “It is my mission to make sure that they have access to the same resources and treatment as every other population.”

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – State Rep. Yolanda Morris, D-Chicago, issued the following statement after the passage of the balanced budget this legislative session:

“It is now more important than ever that Illinoisans, regardless of their background, income, or
color of their skin know that they have a force supporting them and fighting for their everyday
needs in Springfield and in their respective districts. The compassionate budget that my
colleagues and I passed will enhance the mental and physical well-being of our working families
by providing new funding for safety net hospitals, offering free clinics so everyone in Illinois can
take charge of their health, give our youth positive outlets by providing additional funding for
after school programs, while also putting violence prevention measures in place that take
important steps to give our children a better chance to grow up. We know that there is more work
to be done but this is the first step in the right direction.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – This week, state Rep. Yolanda Morris, D-Chicago, helped lead the effort to pass the Clean Slate Act, an automatic record sealing approach for certain, previously incarcerated individuals.

“Returning citizens who have served their time should not continue to be punished once they are free, yet our complicated record sealing process often makes it difficult for them to have a fulfilling life,” Morris said. “This measure will make it easier for thousands of Illinoisans to obtain housing, get jobs and reduce their chances of returning to prison by automatically sealing records of certain non-violent offenses.”

Senate Bill 1784 transitions the sealing process for certain non-violent offenses from a petition- based process to an automatic one. It does not fully guarantee that a record will be sealed, but it starts the process for qualified cases. Law enforcement and prosecutors will still be able to access records, if necessary, in the future.

The Morris-backed measure received bipartisan support, and has returned to the Senate for concurrence.

SPRINGFIELD, IL. – State Rep. Yolanda Morris, D- Chicago, issued the following statement after Gov. J.B. Pritzker gave his annual budget address:

“With over twenty years of experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant, I know firsthand the obstacles healthcare workers face and the importance of prioritizing individuals’ physical and mental wellbeing. Every time my colleagues in Springfield and I go to the drawing board, improving Illinoisans ability to get their health needs met, regardless of their income, is one of our number one concerns. That’s why we passed legislation like the Healthcare Protection Act, which makes insurance better and more affordable. This year, we will remain committed to putting legislation in place that reduces Illinoisans pain and suffering and helps prevent premature loss of life. The governor’s proposal is the first step in ensuring that communities across Illinois lead healthy lives, especially as Washington seems dead set on taking away the services so many working families depend on to not only stay alive, but to thrive.”