Rep. LaPointe discusses first responder insurance, public safety, possible hemp regulation

by BRIAN NADIG

New state legislation on insurance coverage for some first responders and possible future bills impacting public transit agencies and the sale of hemp were discussed at the June 26 meeting of the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association.

Insurance policies in Illinois will have to include coverage for couples therapy for police and firefighters, said state Representative Lindsey LaPointe (D-19), who was the meeting’s guest speaker.

“(Existing policies) might only cover individual therapy at the most,” LaPointe said. “It’s a really stressful job, and this needs to be covered.”

The state also is funding 100 new state trooper positions, LaPointe said.

Also on the issue of public safety, LaPointe said that supporting police and making sure they have sufficient resources is crucial but that “in my mind equally important” is supporting “community-based violence” intervention groups, whose members provide victim support and street outreach. The goal is to prevent situations from escalating and addressing the needs of victims and the impacted neighborhoods, she said.

Another new law will require larger hotels to stop using small individual personal care products, such as shampoo, LaPointe said. Hotels will be expected to install large refillable bottles inside guest rooms.

“Some hotels already are going it without the law getting them to do it,” LaPointe said, adding that the “tiny plastic bottles” used by some hotels is not good for the environment.

Next year the legislature is expected to consider new laws that would “regulate and tax” certain hemp products, which currently minors can typically buy at gas stations, LaPointe said. Hemp, which is often grown for industrial use, has some of the same characteristics as cannabis.

The legislature also is expected to consider combining the CTA, PACE and Metra into one transit agency.

The intent would be to provide better service and more accountability to taxpayers and riders, LaPointe said.

Around 4,000 bills might be introduced in a legislative session, but “about nine percent are actually passed into law,” LaPointe said.

LaPointe was appointed to the General Assembly in 2019 and was then elected to her seat in 2020 and re-elected in 2022.

“I can’t believe I’m … at my five-year mark,” said LaPointe, a former social worker who chairs the Mental Health and Addiction Committee. She added that addressing mental health and homeless issues will always be one of her priorities.

About 25 people attended the association’s meeting, which was held at the basement of the Congregational Church of Jefferson Park, 5320 W. Giddings St.

The association usually meets the last Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the church.

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