Ventura law to address shortage of behavioral health practitioners

SPRINGFIELD – To address workforce gaps in the behavioral health care workforce across the state, State Senator Rachel Ventura worked alongside State Representative Nabeela Syed on House Bill 3487, which was signed into law Friday.

“Our state’s rural areas continue to suffer due to a lack of mental health professionals,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Accurate and recent data can greatly assist in addressing the behavioral health care workforce needs we have in this state. When we know the totality of the situation, we can come up with better solutions, such as grants or improved training programs to help this essential field.”

House Bill 3487 requires the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to request voluntary demographic and employment data — including primary language, anticipated retirement year and ZIP code — when individuals apply for or renew behavioral health licenses. The goal is to generate more accurate data to better understand and address service gaps across Illinois.

"The shortage of social workers, counselors, therapists and other caregivers that Illinois' mental health community has had to make up for – and Illinois mental health patients have had to live with – demands a strong response," said Syed (D-Inverness). "Without data, we can't make forward progress, and currently there is simply not enough information on behavioral health practitioners to accurately craft new approaches. I'm proud to join my colleagues in the Senate to work to correct that and ensure Illinoisans get the care they need."

House Bill 3487 was signed into law Aug. 15, and goes into effect immediately.

Clinical psychologist licensure requirements to improve under new Ventura law

SPRINGFIELD – To streamline the licensing process for clinical psychologists in Illinois, State Senator Rachel Ventura partnered with State Representative Nabeela Syed on House Bill 3373, which was signed into law on Friday.

“Life is unpredictable, and the job market can be challenging,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This law will allow students to complete the educational portion of required exams even if they face delays in securing a training residency.”

Current Illinois law requires applicants for a clinical psychologist license to complete a doctorate program and two years of supervised experience before sitting for the licensing exam. Now with the signage of House Bill 3373, the process will be revised, allowing graduates to take the initial exam before completing their postdoctoral training.

"By allowing clinical psychology students to begin their examinations earlier, we are streamlining the licensing process and getting qualified mental health professionals into the workforce sooner," said Syed (D-Inverness). "Our communities deserve reliable and affordable mental health care. Removing needless obstacles and inefficiencies during licensing is going to help make that happen."

House Bill 3373 was signed into law on Aug. 15, 2025 and takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Simulation training added as viable medical education requirement under Ventura-backed law

SPRINGFIELD – Under a new law led by State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Hoan Huynh, simulation training will be considered an approved form of continuing education for licensed health care professionals.

“As new and improved technologies continue to shape the medical field, simulation training offers an untapped opportunity to provide continuing education to medical students,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Allowing this type of training expands cutting-edge educational resources.”

House Bill 3850 allows simulation training provided by an approved sponsor to count toward a licensed health care professional's continuing education requirement, aiming to modernize professional education and help retain health care workers across Illinois.

Currently, simulation-based training for medical licenses is not required by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. In an attempt to modernize current educational practices, the bill aims to add simulation training as an approved training tool for professional licensing, expanding opportunities for hands-on learning.

"Throughout the state and nation, we have a profound shortage of health care workers — from CNAs to doctors," said Huynh (D-Chicago). "Cutting red tape and offering new pathways to fulfill continuing education requirements will help more professionals stay in the field and continue to deliver the care our communities need."

House Bill 3850 was signed into law on Aug. 15, and goes into effect immediately.

Ventura law to address student health insurance dependent coverage

• Healthcare
• Insurance

SPRINGFIELD – In a continued effort to expand access to health care while protecting affordability, State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Hoan Huynh partnered together on House Bill 1577, which was signed into law on Friday .

The new law clarifies university participation in Illinois’ dependent coverage law, and ensures student health insurance plans remain affordable and sustainable for those who rely on them most.

“Expanding health care access must go hand in hand with protecting affordability,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This legislation supports the intent of the original law while making sure we don't unintentionally burden students with higher premiums. We’re committed to building a more inclusive health care system — one that meets people where they are, including our students.”

House Bill 1577 is a follow-up to a law that took effect in January 2025, which requires health insurance plans to offer dependent coverage to an insured person’s parent or stepparent. That landmark law was designed to help multigenerational households and caregivers access essential care, and only applied to parents or stepparents living with or receiving at least six months of care from the insured individual. Highly specialized insurance products, like Medicare supplement plans and hospital-only coverage, were excluded from these provisions.

House Bill 1577 explicitly exempts student health insurance plans from this requirement — a clarification that was always intended but needed to be codified.

House Bill 1577 was signed into law on Aug. 15, 2025 and goes into effect immediately.