Life insurance could no longer discriminate against people with criminal records under IL bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A state Democratic plan to stop life insurance companies from discriminating customers based on their criminal history passed the Illinois Senate insurance committee Tuesday.

It would stop all insurance companies from limiting or denying life insurance coverage if the customer has committed a felony in the past.

State Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Waukegan) said insurance companies should not discriminate based on a felony conviction.

"I would argue and suggest that we remove the invisible handcuffs and the invisible prison cells and allow people who are productive citizens to be able to have coverage to provide for their families," Johnson said.

The legislation passed out of the Senate committee on a partisan 8-4 vote. It will now head to the Senate floor, where lawmakers could talk about it before session ends this week.