Toro, Senate Democrats outline plans to remove barriers to infertility treatment

SPRINGFIELD — Medical treatments for infertility are increasingly expensive and difficult to navigate, rendering a growing number of women in Illinois unable to access the care necessary to start or grow their family. In response, State Senator Natalie Toro and other members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus held a press conference Wednesday to highlight legislation they are championing to make infertility treatments like IVF and preservation services more accessible.

“Many women, including myself and those close to me, experience profound anxiety about running out of time to start a family and facing barriers to preserving their fertility,” said State Senator Natalie Toro (D-Chicago). “Requiring insurers to cover expenses for standard fertility preservation for all, not just those diagnosed with infertility, will give people the security to explore their options about having a family without facing emotional and financial stress.”

State-regulated health insurance plans are only required to cover standard, evidence-based fertility preservation services — such as cryopreservation — when deemed medically necessary, making these treatments largely inaccessible due to their high cost.

To make fertility preservation services and treatment more accessible, Toro is leading a measure to expand insurance coverage for Illinois patients. Senate Bill 2623 would require insurers to cover expenses for standard fertility preservation and follow-up services for any interested patient, not only those who have been diagnosed with infertility.

“A failure by insurance companies to recognize and respond to women’s health needs is yet another barrier women have to overcome to access necessary care,” said State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin). “Removing the financial barriers to diabetes, obesity and infertility treatment will help men and women across Illinois live healthier lives.”

In response to the growing number of Illinoisans who struggle to afford the care needed to diagnose and treat infertility, Castro is sponsoring legislation to tackle the cost. Senate Bill 2572 would require employers with more than 25 employees to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility in women, along with coverage for injectable medicines that improve glucose levels for those diagnosed with pre-diabetes, diabetes or obesity.

“Ensuring access to fertility treatment is not just a matter of health care—it’s a commitment to the fundamental right of individuals to pursue the dream of parenthood,” said State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort). “It is our duty to ensure policies are in place that empower and support every person on their journey toward creating a family.”

To remove barriers that prevent many couples in Illinois from receiving coverage for IVF treatment, Hastings is championing Senate Bill 2639. The measure would require insurance companies to provide coverage for fertility treatments recommended by a licensed physician approving the covered individual to seek these treatments. Currently, insurance companies can require a patient to complete other procedures and test before receiving coverage for IVF, even with a licensed physician’s recommendation.

The Senators will work over the coming months to pass the measures.

Toro bill to support student teachers in financial need

SPRINGFIELD — With her experience working as a student teacher and struggling to make ends meet, State Senator Natalie Toro is pushing legislation to help new teachers pursue their passions while helping provide financial stability. Her new measure, Senate Bill 2776, creates a Student Teaching Stipend program to further support recipients of the Minority Teacher of Illinois Scholarship Program.  

“It is difficult for young people to pursue a career as a teacher because most will have to work without pay for six months as a student teacher while trying to make ends meet,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This legislation will give more student teachers financial stability and allow them to focus on becoming the future educators of our youngest Illinoisans.”

While the Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program lessens the financial burden on student teachers, it is often not enough to fully support all students, especially those who come from lower-income backgrounds. Senate Bill 2776 would establish the Student Teaching Stipend – beginning in the 2025-2026 school year – to provide financial assistance to MTI student teachers during their year of student teaching.

Currently, the program is administered through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and awards scholarships of up to $5,000 per year to minority students enrolled in a teacher education program at a qualified Illinois college or university. In exchange for their scholarships, recipients are required to teach for one year in Illinois for each scholarship they receive through this program. The teaching obligation must be fulfilled at a nonprofit preschool, elementary or secondary school at which the enrollment is at least 30% minority.  

Under this measure, ISAC would administer the program and determine the amount students would receive on a yearly basis.

 “Having lived the experience of a struggling student teacher, I know this period in a teacher’s life can be discouraging and even cause student teachers to leave the program for their own financial stability,” said Toro. “We should be encouraging teachers to pursue this field and address any deterrents we can. Providing stipends for student teachers is a good place to start.”

Senate Bill 2776 awaits discussion in the spring legislative session.

• Education
• Student Teachers
• Educators

Toro legislation to increase rental assistance for low-income Illinoisans

SPRINGFIELD —With many Illinoisans struggling with rising costs of living, State Senator Natalie Toro introduced an initiative to provide financial relief for low-income families by offering a refundable tax credit in an amount equal to 5% of rental costs for taxpayers.

“Rising costs of living have forced families to make unthinkable sacrifices — like spending less on groceries or heat — to keep a roof over their heads,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This should never be a choice people have to make. This initiative will provide some financial relief to lower-income households to ensure the cost of living is more sustainable for all Illinoisans.”

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, a greater percentage of lower-income households pay more than 20% of their income on rent versus higher-income households. This makes it more difficult for these families to put money toward savings, higher education and necessities such as food and utilities — all of which can seriously impact their quality of life.

To provide more rental assistance to low-income Illinoisans living in high-cost areas, Toro’s bill would give taxpayers with a federal adjusted gross income of 300% or less of the federal poverty level and who spend over 20% of their income on rental payments a tax credit equal to 5% of rental costs. With this credit, working families will be able to invest their hard-earned money on things other than rent and ensure they are not priced out of their neighborhoods.

“My family has lived in the district since my grandfather moved here from Puerto Rico in the 1950s. Our neighborhood has been an amazing community where families have lived for generations, and it has been devastating to watch many of my longtime neighbors be priced out of our community,” said Toro. “We need to make certain rent and housing prices do not displace people who have lived in our neighborhood for decades, and this bill is the first step to do that.”

Senate Bill 2624 awaits discussion in the spring legislative session.

• Housing
• Rental Assistance

Toro celebrates $89 million in library grants coming to Chicago Public Schools

CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro, a former CPS teacher and advocate for well-funded school libraries, announced the Chicago Public School District has received over $89,000 to invest in resources for their libraries, including purchasing books, audiobooks, e-books and multilingual materials, as well as improving the technology and programs they offer students.

“Many CPS students don’t have access to the internet, a computer or comparable materials from their school libraries at home, including books that can be educational, make them feel more seen and understood, or provide an entertaining escape,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “I am glad this grant is affording Chicago schools more money to invest in this important resource.”

Based on a statutory formula, school districts receive $0.885 per student enrolled at each school with a qualified library.  With this calculation, the City of Chicago School District 299 was awarded $89,017.

The School District Library Grant Program supports school library services for over 1 million students enrolled in kindergarten through 12^th grade across the state. Funding for the grants, which are awarded once every fiscal year, comes from the General Reserve Fund and is appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly.

“Libraries provide many essential resources for our students to learn and grow into their full potential,” said Toro. “It is vital that we continue this investment and increase our funding to keep improving and ensuring our kids have access to robust libraries. I look forward to advocating for these important grants in the future.”

For a full list of libraries that received funding, visit the Secretary of State’s website.

• Education
• Library
• CPS