📢🏛️ Updates from Springfield: Fair Car and Homeowners Insurance Win!
Dear Neighbor,
I have some exciting news to share with you about an issue you've heard me talk about before: fair car and homeowners insurance premiums.
Illinois is one of only two states in the nation where these rates are completely unregulated. And I know many of us have seen these bills go through the roof in recent years. I've long been fighting for some oversight in this area — if insurance companies want to raise your rates by double digits, they should have to have a good reason why, beyond just wanting to pad their profits. And if they don't have a good reason, the state should be able to reject those rate hikes.
In the House, we recently passed a bill to do just that. Senate Bill 1486 would require insurance companies to file with the Department of Insurance if they wanted to raise premiums by 10% or more. These companies would have to give customers a 60 days' notice for a rate increase to allow them to shop around for a better deal. And if they couldn't justify their proposed increase, the Department could reduce or outright reject it.
This is huge. The insurance lobby has been fighting this kind of oversight for years. Passing this bill sends a really important message: at this time when the cost of living is higher than ever, we're taking decisive action to keep big corporations from gouging us on products we need to buy.
The bill now moves back to the Senate for concurrence. We really hope that they'll take it up — and I know our Senator, Graciela Guzmán, is a big champion of this issue.
More updates on the legislative session soon!
Will
Office Closure Notice
Our office will be closed on Friday, April 3. We will reopen on Monday, April 6, for regular hours, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Please contact us at (773) 853-2570 or at will@repguzzardi.com for assistance. Thank you!
Virtual SNAP/Medicaid Webinar
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth is hosting a SNAP/Medicaid Webinar on Monday, April 6, from 3:30 to 4:30pm.
This is an opportunity for constituents to hear from representatives from Legal Aid Chicago on topics including new federal rules affecting SNAP and Medicaid, Illinois state-level implementations and what participants need to know and prepare for given these changes. Attendees must register here.
Summer Jobs Program
As part of their fourth annual summer job program, the Secretary of State is now accepting applications for about 120 paid positions for college, trade school and graduate students, as well as graduating high school seniors who will be enrolled in college or trade school in the fall.
Positions are offered across the SoS’s 25 departments and at DMV facilities throughout the state. Applicants must submit a resume, completed application, and a cover letter. Learn more and apply here.
Chicago Youth Works
Chicago Youth Works, formerly One Summer Chicago, is looking to connect Chicago’s young people with youth employment opportunities and pathways to long-term career success.
Chicagoans, ages 14-24, can learn more and apply at ChicagoYouthWorks.org. Apply before the deadline on May 29.
Chopin Park Easter Egg Hunt
The Chopin Park Advisory Council is hosting an easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4 from 10am to 12pm at Chopin Park, 3420 N Long Ave. This event is free to the public and will include an egg hunt for children 5 years and under at 10am, and then egg hunts every half hour after.