SPRINGFIELD — To assist long-term homeowners from being priced out of their neighborhoods, State Senator Natalie Toro has introduced legislation that would expand eligibility for the long-time occupant homestead exemption.

“Historic communities should not be disrupted because of greed,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This measure will give established homeowners more opportunity to keep their homes, preserving communities that have been cornerstones for generations.”

Under Toro’s measure, the threshold for qualifying for the long-time occupant exemption would be lowered, allowing more homeowners to benefit. Currently, homeowners must experience a property assessment increase exceeding certain percentages to be eligible for the exemption. Senate Bill 2845 would lower these percentages from 10% to 5% for households earning between $75,000 and $100,000, and from 7% to 3% for households earning $75,000 or less. The property must also be occupied for 10 continuous years or 5 continuous years if the person receives assistance to acquire the property as part of a government or nonprofit housing program.

SPRINGFIELD — To protect people’s access to their property regardless of their gender identity, State Senator Natalie Toro’s latest initiative would implement gender-neutral terms in certain sections of civil law.

“LGBTQIA+ people deserve to feel seen and represented in all spaces, including in our state laws,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “With this simple language change, more Illinoisans will not have to worry about restrictions to accessing their property should they change their gender identity or if they are in a same-sex marriage. This is a long time coming to make Illinois a more inclusive state.”

Senate Bill 2777 replaces terms like “husband” and “wife” with “spouse,” “married couple” and other gender-neutral alternatives in sections of civil law related to property. This would remove legal ambiguities when preparing real estate documents and ensure compliance with the state’s same-sex marriage law.  

By using gender-neutral terms, the legislation would make the legal code more inclusive to nonbinary, intersex and gender-nonconforming individuals and those in same-sex relationships. A fierce ally for the LGBTQIA+ community, Toro is proud to use her platform as a senator to advocate for this and other measures that support this community and deconstruct heteronormative statutes.  

“As a teacher, my classroom was a safe space for young people to discover their identities and be accepted and supported by their peers. Now as a senator, I will use my privilege and responsibility as an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community to fight for a world that is more accepting,” said Toro. “People may not think a slight change in rhetoric is significant, but this bill is shaking the foundation of language that has historically excluded LGBTQIA+ people. Normalizing gender-neutral language is essential to supporting our LGBTIQA+ siblings, and I am honored to be a part of this historic change.”

Senate Bill 2777 awaits further discussion in the spring legislative session.  

SPRINGFIELD — As rent prices continue to skyrocket, State Senator Natalie Toro is working to keep Illinoisans in their homes by implementing rent control policies to better protect tenants.  

“Fifty percent of renters in my city are paying more than 30% of their income in rent, leaving little leftover for other essential expenses,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “We need to fight to keep families in their homes, and I look forward to spearheading the initiative to do so.”  

Rent control limits the amount a landlord can raise a tenant’s rent at the end of their lease, which is usually tied to the rate of inflation. With gradual rent increases that are common under rent control, tenants are able to stay in their homes for multiple years. However, the General Assembly passed the Rent Control Preemption Act in 1997, which prohibits local governments from passing rent control ordinances. This legislation has resulted in rent prices rising at exponential rates that outpace any increases in residents’ wages, making rent a larger financial burden for households and frequently forcing relocation.

Senate Bill 3484 would repeal the Rent Control Preemption Act, allowing local governments to begin adopting rent control policies. With rent control in practice, the nearly 1.6 million tenants across the state who live in rental properties will no longer face radical increases when renewing their lease, providing them more housing and financial stability. 

“Rent control will protect tenants from experiencing financial hardship that could uproot them from their communities,” said Toro. “I am proud to work to reinstate this life-changing measure in our state to help ease the financial burden on our working families.”

Senate Bill 3484 awaits further discussion in the spring session.

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.