CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined legislators and community members ahead of the Chicago Pride Parade to sign into law three bills that will empower more Illinoisans to live authentically and freely, without the fear that their private information will be weaponized against them. These measures prevent out-of-state parties from using medical records stored in Illinois’ prescription monitoring database to punish individuals for receiving lawful, gender-affirming care in Illinois; require insurance companies to cover up to six months of prescribed hormone therapy; and establish in law the process for choosing a gender marker on Illinois IDs and driver’s licenses.
“I am proud to sign three bills that will expand on my administration’s work to make Illinois a safe, empowering, and inclusive place for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It has been a long road to get here, and the work will continue until all Illinoisans are safe, healthy, and free to express their truest selves. As governor, I will continue to build on our progress.”
“Who you are, how you access health care, and the decisions you make about your own body should be met with respect — not barriers or fear,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “These laws send a clear message to our LGBTQ+ community that you belong, your rights matter, and Illinois will continue to protect your dignity, privacy, and freedom. I'm proud that our state continues to lead by standing up for the rights and freedoms of every resident.”
Governor Pritzker signed the following measures into law:
Together, these pieces of legislation deepen Governor Pritzker’s commitment to making Illinois the best state for every person to live, work, and raise a family — which includes affordable and accessible healthcare and prescription medications, protections against the surveillance of private information, and freedom from targeted attacks based on who you are or who you love.
The Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program (ILPMP) is the electronic database that collects and tracks information about specific medications and treatments. It’s an important tool used by over 30 states to prevent the over-prescription of some drugs, but one that can be abused by states where gender affirming care is criminalized or limited.
HB 4834 removes testosterone from the ILPMP and prevents the addition of estrogen, mifepristone, and misoprostol to the monitoring program, preempting the misuse of personal details related to gender affirming and reproductive health care.
“Long before any of us knew the phrase ‘Dobbs decision,’ Governor Pritzker has been a hands-on partner in our work to protect access to reproductive and gender affirming care,” said State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago). “HB4834 represents yet another way we are proactively addressing emerging threats to our community at the hands of the federal administration that is hell-bent on doing harm to our trans siblings.”
“No one should fear being monitored or tracked for receiving hormone replacement therapy prescribed by their healthcare provider,” said State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Protecting medical information is essential to ensuring patients feel safe seeking care, asking questions, and making personal health care decisions. Strong privacy protections preserve trust, dignity, and the fundamental right to confidentiality.”
“Time and time again, Governor Pritzker has stood firmly with reproductive champions and never backed down from his commitment to ensure Illinoisans have unfettered access to the health care they need in their home state,” said Margot Riphagen-Dunn, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action. “The state of Illinois and leaders like Governor Pritzker continue to prioritize the safety, freedom, and joy of women, LGBTQ+ people, and the providers who support them in their health care decisions — not because it's popular, but because it's the right thing to do.”
HB 5095 codifies in law the Secretary of State’s current self-attestation process for gender marker corrections on driver’s licenses and IDs, allowing the choice of “male,” “female,” or “X” on state-issued identification. This legislation also guarantees that the self-reported gender marker information remains confidential.
“Across this country, our trans and nonbinary neighbors are under attack. While Kansas and other states are weaponizing their state IDs to erase trans identity, this law will guarantee that Illinois driver's licenses reflect Illinoisans as we are,” said State Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago). “Your ID should show who you are — and whoever you are, you'll be protected, loved, and welcomed in Illinois.”
“An ID should never put someone in a vulnerable position,” said State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville). “This ensures people can safely and accurately reflect who they are.”
“We thank Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and his team for creating a process to ensure Illinoisans can obtain a state ID that reflects their gender identity. Having a correct state ID is a matter of respect, dignity, and personal safety,” said Julie Justicz, Executive Director of Legal Council for Health Justice. “We applaud the General Assembly and Governor Pritzker for ensuring that this fair and streamlined process is protected by state law.”
“LGBTQ+ people in Illinois are under no illusions about what is at stake right now. Across the country, lawmakers are attempting to strip rights, erase identities, and target our most vulnerable community members,” said Channyn Lynne Parker, CEO Equality Illinois. “But here in Illinois, we are fighting back and winning. Today, Illinois answers those attacks with action: HB5095 preserves gender markers on state IDs; HB5492 expands access to hormone therapy; and HB4834 shields our most private medical information from surveillance. These are not small victories. They are a declaration that in this state, LGBTQ+ lives matter. Today, we are not just marching, our Governor is signing laws that protect who we are.”
HB 5492 requires that insurance companies cover up to a six-month supply of prescription hormone therapy, if a health care provider or pharmacist decides that the larger supply is clinically appropriate for a patient. In a time when gender affirming care is under constant attack by the federal government, dispensing prescriptions in bulk will give patients from Illinois and others traveling from out of state for care the assurance that they will have access to needed medications.
“Health care works best when people can access the medications they need without unnecessary delays, disruptions, or red tape,” said State Senator Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago). “By allowing patients to receive up to a six-month supply of prescription hormone therapy when it is clinically appropriate, House Bill 5492 helps promote continuity of care, reduces burdens on patients and providers, and gives people greater peace of mind that they will be able to maintain their treatment plan.”
“Illinois is a national leader in protecting access to health care because of the steadfast champions who continue to advance policies that put patients first,” said Adrienne White-Faines, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action. “We are proud to stand alongside our partners in advocating for policies and legislation that affirm personal autonomy, dignity, and self-determination. At a time when fundamental rights are under attack across the country, we are grateful to Governor Pritzker for signing these measures into law and reaffirming Illinois’ commitment to protecting and expanding individual freedoms.”
Governor Pritzker has worked tirelessly to ensure that Illinois remains a safe haven for all seeking lawful health care and a home where all can live authentically without fear of repercussions. The passage of these three pieces of legislation is the most recent action in this essential effort to empower and protect the LGBTQ+ community in Illinois.
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