Press Release - Friday, July 30, 2004
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Gov. Blagojevich signs bill to end insurance bias against Illinois residents traveling overseas
SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation to end discrimination by life insurance companies against Illinois residents who travel abroad.
"Every year, thousands of Illinoisans travel overseas for business or to visit their friends and family," said Gov. Blagojevich. "But, for some reason someone who took a trip to a place like Israel may have to pay more for life insurance than someone who took a trip to Australia. By signing this law, we are going to stop this kind of discrimination."
Senate Bill 2620, sponsored by Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) and Reps. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) and Karen May (D-Highland Park), protects those who purchase life insurance from being discriminated against solely on the basis of their past lawful travel experiences.
This discrimination includes:
- Being refused initial or continuing coverage;
- Limiting the amount, extent, or kind of coverage;
- Being charged a different rate for the same type of coverage.
Current law has provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of people charged different rates for people of the same class and life expectancy, having handicaps or disabilities, being blind, or the individual's military affiliation or status. Similar legislation has already passed in the New York State legislature.
Senate Bill 2620 is effective immediately.
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