Health and well-being, safety and justice, and economic opportunity are at the forefront of all we do at Heartland Alliance and because of that, we are dedicated to working tirelessly to pass legislation that lifts up those values so that they can become attainable for all. Our legislative agenda outlines the bills we are pursuing during the 2020 Illinois Legislative Session. We believe that each of these bills will help further our mission of bringing equity and opportunity to communities throughout Illinois, especially those who have been historically targeted or left behind.
Our agenda looks to tackle some of our state, and nation’s, most pressing issues through legislation like the Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Act (HB3879 & SB3229), which extends legal protections to those who contact emergency medical services in order to prevent a fatal overdose, the Employee Background Fairness Act (HB4837 & SB3194), which increases opportunities for employment for people who have been involved in the criminal legal system, and the Earned Income Credit (SB3429 & HB5669) which improves the state EITC so it better helps working people make ends meet.
Heartland Alliance advocates for policies and programs to end poverty, advance human rights and justice, reduce inequity, and create opportunity for all. Our unique organization brings policy, research, and program experience that guides us in creating change.
SAFETY & JUSTICE
Public Housing Access (HB206) creates standards for public housing authorities when considering an applicant’s criminal background. This increases opportunities for people who have been involved in the criminal legal system to obtain housing.
Ban the Box in Higher Education (SB3517)removes the question about an applicant’s criminal history from college applications, increasing opportunities for people who have been involved in the criminal legal system to go to college.
Employee Background Fairness Act (HB4837 & SB3194) creates standards for private employers considering criminal history information when hiring, increasing opportunities for employment for people who have been involved in the criminal legal system.
HEALTH & HEALING
The Prescription Drug Affordability Act (HB3493) gives the state the authority to review prescription drug costs, identify specific medications that people cannot afford, and set limits on these costs.
Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Act (HB3879 & SB3229) further protects people who call 911 when someone near them is overdosing, saving people’s lives rather than punishing those who notify emergency medical services.
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
License to Work Act II (SB3376) eliminates the ability to suspend people’s drivers licenses when they cannot pay debt accrued by red light camera tickets.
Earned Income Credit (SB3429 & HB5669) improves the state EITC so it better helps working people make ends meet by increasing the credit, and including young adults and immigrant families.
Click Here to Download the Full Agenda. For more information, please contact Kim Drew at KDrew@heartlandalliance.org
