SPRINGFIELD — After the Illinois Senate approved the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D–Buffalo Grove) released the following statement:

“This year’s budget continues to reflect our values—strengthening the services our most vulnerable neighbors rely on while maintaining a firm commitment to financial responsibility.

“I’m especially proud that we’ve made key investments to improve how Illinois delivers care and support, including updates to the state’s 2-1-1 helpline system. These improvements will ensure that people seeking housing, mental health care, food assistance and more are met with timely, reliable help—and that we as a state are learning from the data to better serve every corner of our communities.

SPRINGFIELD — To raise awareness and improve understanding of a rare but life-altering condition, State Senator Adriane Johnson presented a resolution to the Senate declaring September 2025 as Scarring Alopecia Awareness Month in Illinois.

“Scarring alopecia is more than just hair loss — it’s a permanent, often painful condition that deeply impacts people’s physical and emotional well-being,”

SPRINGFIELD —Seeking to ensure greater fairness and dignity in access to life insurance, State Senator Adriane Johnson champions legislation that would prohibit insurers from denying final expense life insurance coverage solely because an applicant has a past felony conviction.

“No one should be denied the ability to plan for the future because of a past mistake,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “People who have served their time deserve the opportunity to protect their loved ones from the financial burdens that come with end-of-life costs.”

SPRINGFIELD —Seeking to ensure greater fairness and dignity in access to life insurance, State Senator Adriane Johnson is championing legislation that would prohibit insurers from denying final expense life insurance coverage solely because an applicant has a past felony conviction.

“Having a criminal record should not be a life sentence that follows you to the grave,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Everyone deserves the ability to plan for their final expenses and to spare their loved ones from unexpected financial burdens—especially those who have already served their time and are working to move forward.”

House Bill 2425 would prevent companies offering life insurance final expense policies from refusing to insure, limiting coverage or charging higher premiums based solely on a person’s felony record. The measure includes a clear exception for individuals who are currently incarcerated.

Final expense life insurance policies, also known as burial or funeral insurance, are typically small, affordable whole-life policies intended to help families cover the costs of funeral services, medical bills and other end-of-life expenses.

Under current Illinois law, insurance companies are already prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability, blindness, veteran status or travel history when determining eligibility or premiums. House Bill 2425 aims to build on that framework by ensuring individuals with felony convictions—many of whom face significant barriers to financial stability—are not unfairly excluded from these essential policies.

“This legislation is about compassion, commonsense, and giving people a chance to prepare with dignity,” Johnson said. “It’s one more way we can support rehabilitation, reduce stigma and create a fairer system for all.”

House Bill 2425 passed the Senate Insurance Committee Tuesday.