information provided by the Office of the Governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (August 3, 2019) – Governor JB Pritzker signed a new law on August 1 that protects living organ donors from various types of retaliation based on their donor status.
“There’s no more generous or selfless act than donating an organ to a person in need, and we must ensure that living donors have basic protections to maintain stability in their own lives,” said Governor Pritzker. “I’m proud that this legislation will allow people to make this deeply personal decision without risking discrimination from their employers and health insurance companies.”
The new law prohibits employers from retaliating against an employee for requesting or obtaining a leave of absence to undergo an organ donation, and it prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums or rates for living donors for disability, life, and long-term care insurance. It also tasks the Secretary of State with creating and maintaining an opt-in organ and tissue donor registry.
House Bill 2847 takes effect January 1, 2020.
