CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Workers in Illinois could use sick days to take care of a parent, under a state healthcare reform bill headed to Governor Pritzker's desk.
The measure is apart of a larger bill passed Thursday by the Illinois Senate that's designed to address racial disparities in the state's health and human services systems.
In addition to allowing workers to use a sick day to take care of a parent, grandparent, or in-law, the bill requires Medicaid to cover doula services for pregnant women and makes implicit bias training a continuing education requirement for healthcare professionals, among other changes.
The measure also would create an anti-racism commission “to identify and propose statewide policies to eliminate systemic racism and advance equitable solutions for Black and Brown people in Illinois.”
State Senator Mattie Hunter, of Chicago, sponsored the bill.
"We have not reformed the healthcare system in this state in about 11 years. There has been a number of changes that have occurred during that period, so this is a beginning," she said.
State Senator Jacqueline Collins, of Chicago, said it's an idea whose time has come.
"It measures how to address maternal mortality by increasing access to doulas and home visiting programs," Sen. Collins said.
Additionally, the legislation would extend a moratorium on hospital closures through the remainder of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Opponents said the bill addresses important issues, but they add the $12 billion price tag is too high.
The Senate also passed a bill that would make permanent the use of ballot drop boxes that were in place for last November's election.