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WESTMONT — In an effort to protect Illinois drivers and homeowners while addressing affordability, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton supported two measures to crack down on auto and homeowner insurance rates from being excessive or unfair.

“At a time when costs continue to rise, people deserve transparency and accountability,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Residents shouldn’t be hit with unpredictable spikes in their home or auto insurance bills.”

House Bill 4273 would prohibit a company selling homeowners insurance from increasing premiums by more than 10% without notifying the consumer 60 days prior. This would give consumers the necessary time to shop around and find a better rate. More importantly, the bill would prohibit premiums for homeowners insurance from being excessive, inadequate or discriminatory. The Illinois Department of Insurance would oversee the measure, with set rules for hearings on newly filed rates.

The legislation would also ban cost shifting, a practice where losses or high-claim payouts in other states are shifted unfairly onto Illinois homeowners. Some residents were blindsided last year by a 27% rate increase, leaving them scrambling to decide how they would take it on.

To ensure Illinoisans have a fair and affordable auto insurance marketplace, Glowiak Hilton supported Senate Bill 714, which would deliver transparency and accountability for premium increases by providing a clear framework, expanding Illinois Department of Insurance’s oversight and broadening options for residents over age 55, ultimately reducing insurance premium costs.

Specifically, the measure would prohibit companies from increasing premiums by more than 10% without notifying the consumer 30 days prior to renewal. It would also prohibit auto insurance premiums from being excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory and create a determination hearing process through the Department of Insurance if rates are found to fall under one of these violations.

“Insurance companies need to be held accountable, ensuring they prioritize customers, not line their own pockets,” said Glowiak Hilton.

House Bill 4273 and Senate Bill 714 passed the General Assembly and await the governor’s signature.

SPRINGFIELD – For the parents of children with life-threatening allergies, every outing carries a level of anxiety that other families never have to consider. Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is easing that burden by passing a measure to modernize Illinois law to recognize all FDA-approved epinephrine treatments.

“Parents should feel confident that when they drop their child off at school, at camp, or at an after-school program, the people responsible for their child's safety have access to whatever form of epinephrine works best,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). "Severe allergic reactions don't wait.”

House Bill 3454 would update current Illinois statute — covering schools, law enforcement, after-school programs, camps, home health care and health insurance — to replace the outdated term "epinephrine injector" with "epinephrine delivery device." This change would align state law with the FDA-approved treatments that exist today. The change would ensure that institutions and caregivers across Illinois are not legally restricted to needle-based injectors when newer options, like the epinephrine nasal spray Neffy, are available and approved for use.

“Our laws should never be the reason a school nurse, a coach, or a first responder hesitates,” said Glowiak Hilton. “House Bill 3454 removes that barrier and makes sure every approved tool is on the table when someone's life is on the line."

House Bill 3454 passed the Senate Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD —State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton spearheaded a measure through the Senate to ensure law enforcement officers and firefighters can park their work vehicles at home without being subjected to homeowners' or condominium association restrictions.

“Law enforcement officers and firefighters should not face penalties from their HOA for parking a vehicle at their home," said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). "It’s important that we address unreasonable restrictions put on our first responders."

House Bill 67 would prohibit an HOA from designating a marked law enforcement vehicle assigned to an officer or a marked firefighter vehicle assigned to a firefighter as a commercial vehicle.

Glowiak Hilton's measure comes in response to reports of HOAs prohibiting law enforcement officers and firefighters from parking their work vehicles at their homes. Many HOAs reportedly restrict commercial vehicles with logos from parking in visible areas and define commercial vehicles to include police and fire vehicles.

House Bill 67 passed the Senate Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD — To stamp out cases of caregiver abuse and exploitation, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton led a measure to expand criminal liability to voluntary caregivers who look after seniors and individuals with disabilities.

“Holding bad actors accountable can strengthen protections for vulnerable populations,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “By addressing abuse, neglect and exploitation, we can ensure our seniors and individuals with disabilities live with the dignity, safety and respect they deserve.”

House Bill 4676 would expand protections for seniors and individuals with disabilities by ensuring Illinois’ caregiver abuse and neglect laws apply to people who voluntarily assume care of an elderly person or individual with a disability.