The 2026 spring legislative session has officially concluded, and we are proud to share the progress that our community made together.
Earlier this year, Equality Illinois released our 2026 Legislative Agenda, outlining priorities focused on protecting LGBTQ+ rights, expanding access to health care, and strengthening legal protections for our community. Thanks to the dedication of advocates, coalition partners, legislative champions, and supporters across Illinois, we successfully advanced three major pieces of legislation this session.
At a time when LGBTQ+ rights and health care access face increasing challenges nationwide, these victories demonstrate what is possible when communities come together to advocate for equality.
HB5095 - Preserving Gender Markers on Illinois IDs
This legislation codifies the Illinois Secretary of State’s existing policy allowing individuals to self-attest when updating the gender marker on driver’s licenses and state identification cards. The legislation further strengthens privacy protections by requiring gender designation forms to be treated as confidential records.
Equality Illinois is grateful to State Representative Mary Beth Canty, House Assistant Majority Leader Will Guzzardi, and State Senator Laura Ellman for their leadership, as well as our partners at Legal Council for Health Justice and Transformative Justice Law Project for their advocacy and collaboration.
HB5492 - Expanding Access to Hormone Therapy
Access to consistent medication should never be interrupted by unnecessary barriers. This legislation improves access to prescription hormone therapy by requiring insurance plans to cover up to a six-month supply of medication. Reducing unnecessary pharmacy visits and insurance-related disruptions will help patients maintain continuity.
We thank House Assistant Majority Leader Katie Stuart and State Senator Lakesia Collins for championing this legislation, alongside our partners at Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action and Planned Parenthood Illinois Action.
HB4834 - Protecting Patient Privacy
Medical Privacy is a cornerstone of health care access and personal freedom. HB4834 removes testosterone and medication abortion prescriptions from Illinois’ Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP), preventing the collection and tracking of sensitive patient information through the state’s prescription surveillance system.
We are deeply grateful to State Representative Kelly Cassidy and State Senator Adriane Johnson for their leadership and to our partners at Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action and Planned Parenthood Illinois Action for their advocacy.
While we celebrate this year’s victories, important work remains unfinished. Several priorities from our 2026 Legislative Agenda advanced through the legislative process but did not reach final passage before adjournment.
HB4359/SB2805 - LGBTQ+/HIV Long-Term Care Bill of Rights
As more LGBTQ+ and people living with HIV age into long-term care settings, protections against discrimination become more important. This legislation would establish comprehensive protections for residents of long-term care facilities, assisted living communities, senior living facilities, and home-based care programs. The legislation would also require cultural competency training for staff across care settings to create safer and more affirming environments.
Although the legislation did not reach final passage this session, we are encouraged by the support it received and will continue working alongside our coalition leaders at AIDS Foundation Chicago and Pride Action Tank. We’re further grateful for the ongoing leadership from State Representative Nicolle Grasse and State Senator Celina Villanueva.
Illinois has already prohibited licensed mental health professionals from subjecting minors to conversion therapy (PA 09-0411). This initiative builds on those protections by ensuring that no state funds are used to support organizations or entities that practice conversion therapy.
While this proposal did not advance to final passage this session, Equality Illinois remains committed to ending all forms of conversion therapy and ensuring taxpayer dollars are never used to support practices that have been widely condemned by major medical and mental health organizations. We are grateful to State Representative Laura Faver-Dias and State Senator Mary Edly-Allen for championing this effort along with our key partners at The Trevor Project.
These accomplishments belong to every advocate who sent an email, made a phone call, shared their story, or joined us for Advocacy Day.
Together, we secured meaningful protections for transgender and nonbinary Illinoisans, expanded access to essential health care, and strengthened patient privacy protections. At the same time, we laid important groundwork for future victories.
Our work continues. Equality Illinois remains committed to building a state where every LGBTQ+ person can live openly and authentically. Thank you for being part of this movement!
Aces Lira
Director of Public Policy
[email protected]
Published 06/2026