Governor Pritzker signed legislation that expands access to health insurance benefits with no premium costs for the families of state employees who lose their life during employment.
It comes after the stabbing death of DCFS worker earlier this year.
The governor says Deidre Silas was a distinguished public servant who devoted her life to the mission. It is in her honor, he says.
The state is taking action to expand health insurance coverage to survivors of tragedy. Deidre Silas was stabbed to death while conducting a home visit. The bill provides health insurance coverage to survivors and dependents of state employees who are killed in the line of duty, regardless of how long they have been employed. It is retroactive for one year to include the Deidre Silas family.