WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following news release on May 17, 2024: At its open meeting yesterday, the Federal Election Commission declared Mike Pence and his principal campaign committee, Mike Pence for President (MPFP), eligible to receive public matching funds for Pence's 2024 presidential campaign for the Republican Party nomination. Additionally, since Pence suspended his campaign for the nomination in October 2023, the Commission also initially determi  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, May 18 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco issued the following remarks on May 17, 2024, by President and CEO Mary C. Daly at the University of San Francisco School of Management commencement: * * * Remarks as prepared for delivery. Thank you for your kind introduction. And thank you, Father Fitzgerald, for the invitation to speak here today. It is truly my honor. Now before I begin, I want to ask, how many of you missed your high school graduation ceremo  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) are announcing an unprecedented Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) as part of the Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant program, which aims to provide funding to capital projects that will address health-related social needs and reduce disparities in healthcare in historic  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Bill Cunningham moved two initiatives to expand family counseling services and disability benefits for first responders through the Illinois Senate. "We have to recognize that first responders deal with an enormous amount of stress on the job," said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. "Sometimes that stress carries over to the family, so this   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Mary Edly-Allen passed a measure through the Senate to protect artists if their songs or likeness are stolen through the means of artificial intelligence (AI). "In the last few years, we have seen an explosion of AI tools and AI generated content, often created and distributed without authorization," said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). "While AI is a powerful tool with the potential to do much  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Laura Fine passed a measure through the Senate that would require health insurance providers to cover prescribed at-home pregnancy tests. "Prescribed at-home pregnancy tests, like medications, should be covered by insurance for those who need them," said Fine (D-Glenview). "The purpose of this legislation is to reduce barriers to accessing necessary prescriptions and help patients obtain the  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: Homeowners across Illinois may have a new law on the books to increase transparency of insurance policy coverage, thanks to State Senator Napoleon B. Harris, III. "When residents select their homeowner insurance policy it is crucial that they have a full picture of what the policy covers," said Harris (D-Harvey). "This legislation will enable homeowners to make educated financial decisions about their ins  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 17, 2024: State Senator Linda Holmes' effort in the Senate to ensure insurance coverage for treating menopause symptoms without regard to whether the onset was natural or surgical. Holmes' measure, House Bill 5295, passed the Senate Thursday. Menopause occurs when an individual's estrogen and progesterone hormone levels start to fall. If it begins naturally, symptoms show up over time; if it is a re  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 17, 2024: State Senator Linda Holmes advanced a measure through the Senate on Thursday that would require insurers to cover care for mental and emotional recovery for individuals who have experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth. "So many who have experienced the loss of a child deal with the trauma for the rest of their lives; pregnancy loss in the case of stillbirth or a miscarriage is often an ove  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: In an effort to expand access to medication for hereditary bleeding disorders, State Senator Dave Koehler advanced a measure to cut red-tape practices used by insurance companies. "Prior authorization processes can delay vital medical care, putting patients' lives at risk," said Koehler (D-Peoria). "We need to ensure Illinoisans can access the medications they need without delays." House Bill 4055 would   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 17, 2024: State Senator Robert Peters joined forces with labor unions on Thursday to celebrate a groundbreaking moment in the state's capital-- the first-ever Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield event. "It's often forgotten that our country has a long history of women in trades, particularly as it relates to the labor movement during World War II," said Peters (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Labor Co  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: In an effort to recruit more nurses to work at Illinois medical facilities, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton passed a measure to extend the time nurses can practice while waiting for the review of their license application. "Nurses should not lose out on work due to application waiting periods," said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). "This initiative helps address the state's nursing shortage, provides  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: Recording artists will soon have more protections from AI replicating their voice or work thanks to new legislation introduced by Senator Mary Edly-Allen. "Musicians often spend years of their lives perfecting their craft. It is unfair that their hard-earned talents can be stolen for other purposes in a matter of seconds without compensation," said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). "We need strong regulations   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Mike Simmons is leading a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering caregivers to provide culturally competent haircare for youth in care to promote healthy hair and self-confidence in our communities. "Hair plays a crucial role in young people's lives," said Simmons (D-Chicago). "This bill not only boosts their self-esteem but also fosters a sense of belonging and confidence that can po  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Steve Stadelman recently held a subject matter hearing in the Senate Revenue Committee on a measure designed to uplift local journalism. "Local journalism is the backbone of our communities, providing essential news and information that keeps residents informed and engaged," said Stadelman (D-Rockford). "We must do what we can to preserve local journalism and, in turn, preserve democracy."   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: To protect residents from losing access to their electric or gas services, State Senator Steve Stadelman led legislation through the Senate to prevent the disconnection of services for customers actively seeking energy payment assistance. "This is a significant step in ensuring that all Illinois residents have access to the energy they need, especially during difficult times," said Stadelman (D-Rockford).  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Natalie Toro's legislation requiring officers to go through autism-informed responses in their training passed the Senate, making it one step closer to becoming law. "Law enforcement need to be aware of the unique communication challenges people with autism may have, especially in a more stressful situation like having an encounter with a police officer, and how that may make them appear non  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Celina Villanueva passed a measure through the Senate to ensure those who plead guilty to a possession charge receive a second chance in exchange for diversion into a probation program. "Supportive measures like this allow first-time offenders of possession to reintegrate into society with the tools they need to succeed," said Villanueva (D-Chicago). "Harsh penalties only serve to solidify a  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Ram Villivalam passed a measure through the Senate to extend dependent accident and health insurance benefits to parents. "When children are caring for parents or stepparents, it is not always seamless to provide quality and comprehensive coverage for their medical needs," said Villivalam (D-Chicago). "By expanding options for health care coverage, we are making sure that people have access   more

WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The U.S. International Trade Commission issued the following news release on May 17, 2024: The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of epoxy resins from China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of   more