Harris announces $1 million in funding for local parks

HARVEY – Homewood-Flossmoor Park District and Midlothian Park District will receive a combined total of $1 million in grant funding thanks to the assistance of State Senator Napoleon B. Harris, III.

“It’s important we fund our local park districts so they can give young people and families opportunities for safe and fun activities,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “More supervised programs running in our community will help put youth on a path to success.”

Read more …

Harris’ new law will increase transparency for homeowners

• SB 5357
• Homeowner policy

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon B. Harris, III fought for a new law to increase transparency of homeowner insurance policy coverage.

“Homeowners should have a clear understanding of what their homeowner insurance policy covers,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “This new law will help empower residents to make informed financial decisions about their homeowner insurance policies.”

House Bill 5357 will require an insurer to disclose whether a homeowner's insurance policy covers damage from a sewer backup or overflow from a sump pump when issuing or quoting a homeowner's policy. Further, the law will require insurance companies to offer the policyholder an opportunity to purchase this coverage if the policy does not already include it.

Harris fought for this initiative in response to local flooding in Burnham, Calumet City, Dolton and South Holland in the 15^th District where many residents discovered that their homeowner insurance policies did not cover damages from a sewer backup or overflow from a sump pump.

According to the Illinois Independent Insurance Agents, a busted sewer line can cost up to $30,000 to repair and replace.

“Increasing transparency in homeowner insurance policies is a good first step in ensuring residents are equipped with the facts to make decisions that are in the best interests of their families and loved ones,” said Harris.

House Bill 5357 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

Harris initiative to bring hope to individuals fighting hair loss conditions now law

• SB 2573
• Health care
• hair loss

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has a new law to support individuals fighting cancer who are unable to afford a hair prosthesis, thanks to State Senator Napoleon Harris, III.

“This new law will provide some extra support to those experiencing hair loss due to alopecia, chemotherapy or radiation and have more than enough health hurdles to overcome,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “Making wigs and other scalp prostheses more accessible and available to them can provide hope and help them feel more like themselves by giving them a sense of normalcy.”

Senate Bill 2573 will require insurance plans to provide coverage for wigs or other scalp prostheses for individuals experiencing hair loss due to alopecia, chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer or other conditions.

Harris championed this new law after a constituent reached out expressing concern for his sister-in-law fighting breast cancer who was unable to afford a hair prosthesis.

Illinois will be joining 13 other states provide some sort of coverage for hair prostheses. In cases where an individual's insurance does not cover hair prostheses, a medical tax deduction may be available. However, in order to claim it, the individual's total medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of their adjusted gross income.

“People were often finding out that insurance coverage for a cranial prosthesis can vary depending on their insurance plan and company. Some plans may cover it, while others don't,” said Harris. “This new law will standardize medical plans for hair prosthesis across the state to provide folks with reassurance that it is covered.”

Senate Bill 2573 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect immediately.

Harris champions new law to expand opportunities for student-athlete compensation

• HB 307
• Student-athlete

SPRINGFIELD – Student-athletes in Illinois will have greater opportunities to receive fair compensation, thanks to a new law passed by former student-athlete, State Senator Napoleon B. Harris, III.

“Student athletes are constantly on double duty – attempting to keep up with school work along with balancing team responsibilities,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “Ensuring student-athletes have accessibility to fair compensation for their countless hours of dedication will eliminate financial barriers and set them up for success in their future.”

Harris’ House Bill 307 will expand the methods of compensation by eliminating limitations on how name, image and likeness – also known as known as “NIL” – are paid, along with what consideration is allowed on the part of the student-athlete themselves.

The new law will expand accessibility by allowing colleges to directly pay NIL contracts if it is in response to a court order or if the institution is utilizing NIL compensation as an incentive for an athlete to attend their school. It also will expand the definition of “student-athlete” to include individuals prior to and after their enrollment and deletes provisions that restrict a student from preemptively entering into a NIL contract or receive continued benefit from a NIL contract after their enrollment.

Additionally, it will clarify that a higher education facility may aid a student in their search for NIL compensation, or otherwise empower a student’s access to NIL contracts or compensation and that a student-athlete is not considered an employee because of their athletic performance.

The initiative also includes provisions put in place to protect a student athlete’s privacy by exempting them from disclosure under FOIA from information that is related to or would disclose anything related to a student’s NIL contract or compensation.

Harris, a former NFL player and Northwestern University college football student-athlete, led the charge in the 102nd General Assembly with the passage of Senate Bill 2338, which established the Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act. The law he crafted allows a student-athlete to be compensated for the use of their NIL and publicity rights.

“This new law will build on the work we did in 2021 to help guarantee that college athletes are receiving fair benefits for their hard work and the contributions they continuously make to our state’s universities,’ said Harris. “We need to continue to ensure students receive fair compensation for their talent and dedication.”

House Bill 307 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.