SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler championed a measure to require insurance providers to cover hearing aids and related services for people of all ages.

“Illinoisans who are prescribed hearing aids shouldn’t have to pay high out-of-pocket prices,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “Devices that make a significant improvement in someone’s day-to-day life should be accessible.”

House Bill 2443 builds upon the 2018 Koehler-supported measure that required insurance to cover hearing aids for children under the age of 18. Koehler’s measure expands on that by requiring insurers to provide coverage for everyone if their doctor prescribes a hearing instrument – which can cost up to $4,000.

“If your doctor prescribes medicine to you, it would be covered by your insurance,” said Koehler. “People shouldn’t have to bear the burden of having to pay for their hearing aids, or worse, not be able to afford it.”  

House Bill 2443 passed the Senate Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler passed a measure to prorate debts of students who are recipients of scholarship programs who need to fulfil their obligations at a later time.

“Every student’s educational path is different,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “We shouldn’t be charging students more for having to complete their degree at a later time.”

House Bill 3498 would allow a recipient of either the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship program, the Special Education Teacher Waiver program or the Golden Apple Scholar of Illinois grant program to have their debt prorated for completing their teaching obligations at a later time, up to a five year window.

“There are many students in Illinois who have multiple jobs and responsibilities outside of the classroom,” said Koehler. “We should be supporting our students for pursuing their educational dreams, not increasing their financial burden.”

House Bill 3498 passed the Senate Friday.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler is leading a measure to remove vital records fees for survivors of domestic violence.

“Domestic violence survivors are already dealing with immense trauma,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “Why are we taking money out of their pockets, adding more burdens to the reporting process?”

House Bill 2841 would remove the fees associated with services of vital records done by the State Registrar for survivors of domestic violence. The fee for a search of vital records is $10 per application currently and includes the files on birth, death, and fetal death. These records can be used to dissolve marriages and civil unions, receive information on the birth of a child and unexpected miscarriages and for genealogical purposes.

“A basic service to help a survivor in need shouldn’t have a cost,” said Koehler. “This initiative would prevent the possibility of survivors being turned away.”

House Bill 2841 passed the Senate Local Government Committee Wednesday and now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler is championing a measure to highlight future career opportunities for children with disabilities.

“In many situations, children with disabilities and their families feel as if there aren’t a lot of options for work after graduation,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “We must provide equal opportunities for all students to lead them on the path toward a bright future.”

Under House Bill 3224, students with individualized education plans – or IEPs – and their parents would be provided information on the school district’s career and technical education and dual credit opportunities.

“All students – regardless of a diagnosis – deserve career advancement opportunities,” said Koehler (D- Peoria). “This measure gives our students and their parents a clear understanding of the variety of opportunities that are available to them.”

According to the National School Boards Association 2019 analysis, students with disabilities who were in career and technical educational programs had an 89 percent graduation rate nationwide during the previous school year, which was 20 percent higher than the disabled student graduation rate overall.

House Bill 3224 passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.