NEWS

SPRINGFIELD – In the face of sky-high rental costs in Chicago and across Illinois, Senator Graciela Guzmán is working to crack down on price fixing schemes landlords conduct using AI algorithms.

“Renters deserve a fair, transparent and accountable housing market,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago).  “AI algorithms allow landlords to rig the market in their favor and gouge every dollar from families looking for a place to live. We need to crack down on AI-driven rent fixing schemes that hurt competition and renters.”

AI-driven rental pricing platforms are known to facilitate rent price-fixing, causing artificial, double-digit rent increases in an era when people are already struggling to afford their day-to-day life. Under Senate Bill 343, landlords would not be able to coordinate pricing indirectly through a shared third-party service or software, such as an algorithm that sets prices across multiple competing landlords. This legislation would prohibit the use of rent-setting algorithms by banning:

• Fixing, controlling or maintaining rental pricing, fees, or any other rental term for residential rental units in Illinois
• Engaging in price coordination for residential rental units in the state, including through the sale, licensure, or provision of any service or product that involves price coordination of residential rental units.

• Makes it a violation to engage in price coordination or use, subscribe to, or contract with a service that involves price coordination for residential rental units in the state.

According to the Sanford Journal of Public Policy, rent across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods jumped 10% over the past year, and RealPage’s recommendations can translate into rent hikes 5 to 10% above market value. In Chicago alone, roughly one-third of multifamily rental units, about 100,000 apartments, are now influenced by RealPage’s algorithm.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill to decouple Illinois adult education funding from federal rules passed the Senate Thursday.

“Adult education programs need to be seen as necessary, not optional,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Education institutions continue to be pressured by the Trump administration and Illinois needs to stand up for its adult learners.”

The measure comes as the Trump administration continues to threaten education funding and demand an unprecedented role in university admission, curriculum and operations. Without action from the state, federal threats to education programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act could limit Illinois residents’ access to higher education and key adult education programs.

Guzmán’s legislation would clarify and strengthen the administration of state-funded adult education programs in Illinois. The bill would ensure that Illinois law, not the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, governs state-only adult education programs. The state’s matching portion of WIOA funds – currently 25% – would continue to be subject to federal requirements.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s push to allow mammograms under all health insurance policies regardless of the person’s age has passed the Senate.

“If a health care provider or a patient has a concern, there should not be an arbitrary age limit for proper care,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Issues addressed sooner can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer and that will bring more effective treatment and better survival rates for those diagnosed.”

Guzman’s legislation would expand mammogram coverage to align with evidence-based clinical guidelines and the recommendations of a health care provider, including when medically appropriate for individuals under 35. Under the measure, mammograms would be covered for patients of any age when deemed necessary by a healthcare provider.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. However, if it is detected while still in its earlier stages, breast cancer can be successfully treated. Routine mammograms and breast exams can detect cancer early and provide women with better treatment options and results.

In 2012, while planning what should have been one of the most joyful seasons of their life, Maureen Anderson was diagnosed with breast cancer. In an instant, the future she had envisioned was completely rewritten. While many of her peers were celebrating weddings, enjoying honeymoons, and beginning families, her life became consumed by surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and ultimately a hysterectomy. Milestones that many women naturally expect, including the opportunity to have children, were taken from her far too soon.

SPRINGFIELD –Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill to monitor private equity in our health care system passed the Senate.

“Health care is not a luxury to be profited off of, but a human right,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “We have seen private equity take over portions of our economy and sell off whole industries for parts. We need to understand how much of Illinois’ health care system is controlled by private equity and how it affects both care and access to it. .”

Guzman’s measure would require health care facilities and health care provider organizations, which are parties to a transaction involving a merger or acquisition (i.e., a "covered transaction") to provide notice of the transaction to the Office of the Attorney General. This includes parties to the transaction that are not a health care facility or provider organization but own or control, directly or indirectly, one or more of the two or more health care facilities or provider organizations that will be under common ownership.

Chicago has faced the growing trend of health deserts because of private equity’s involvement in health care. According to the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, closures of West Suburban Medical Center, Weiss Memorial Hospital and Westlake Hospital were all attributable to ownership by private equity company Pipeline Health. Pipeline employed strategies to boost profit by monetizing hospital assets that led to a weakening of the hospitals.