Two bills that will protect Illinoisans

Recently two important bills passed through committees in the state legislature, house
bill (HB) 5213 and senate bill (SB) 2784. These bills will reach the house and
senate floors for consideration in the coming weeks.

HB 5213, Nursing Home Liability Insurance. Sponsored by David E. Miller
(D-29th District) and co-sponsored by Greg Harris (D-13th District) and Mary E. Flowers
(D-31st District)

This bill requires nursing homes to carry liability insurance, just as Illinois car drivers
do. It also makes information about nursing home insurance plans available to the public,
so potential residents and their families are better informed when making important
decisions. Finally, the bill requires licensed nursing homes to pay treble damages (three
times the amount of actual damages) when they violate residents' rights. This important
bill will help hold wrongdoers accountable.

SB 2784, Civil Procedure Death of Party. Sponsored by Don Harmon (D-39th
District). 

This bill allows people who have been wronged to still be able to receive due
compensation if the responsible person dies. It requires that when a person dies before a
lawsuit is filed against him or her, the court can appoint a representative (of the
wrongdoer's estate) against whom the action may be filed. In this way innocent victims
don’t suddenly have to pay for another's wrongful conduct.

SB2784 is already scheduled for a Senate reading on April 1st and HB5213 will be debated soon, too. We need to get the message out that these bills are important to all Illinoisans.

Contact your state representative and state senator to let them know you support
HB 5213 and SB 2784. You can find your legislator’s contact information by going to the General Assembly's home page.