Key wins for Illinois’ Jewish community, and beyond

JUF Springfield Mission participants at a reception in May, joined by Illinois General Assembly members.    

During Illinois’ spring legislative session, JUF advanced a robust agenda.  

Leading the Safeguard Illinois Communities Coalition, JUF successfully advocated for Illinois Not-for-Profit Security Grant Program funding. The program has distributed over $49 million to 286 organizations statewide, helping protect houses of worship and community institutions. This achievement was made possible with strong support from Rep. Bob Morgan and Sen. Ram Villivalam.  

Working with JUF’s Legacies and Endowments Department, Forefront (Illinois’ statewide association representing nonprofits and grantmakers), and the Illinois Treasurer’s Office, JUF spearheaded advocacy for the Legacy Impact through Fair Transfers (LIFT) initiative (HB 4206), led by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz and Sen. Robert Martwick, which passed unanimously.  

“HB 4206 creates a uniform, streamlined process for distributing nonprobate gifts to charities after a donor’s passing, allowing nonprofits across Illinois to put those gifts to work faster and with far less red tape,” explained David Rosen, JUF’s Senior Vice President of Endowments. “Its passage was a key priority for JUF and for the broader charitable giving community.” 

JUF also secured two Medicaid-related policy changes championed by Rep. Anna Moeller: 

*HB 4324 addresses Community Integrated Living Arrangements, which serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Although providers are compensated for up to 20 resident medical absences, the state had been reclaiming absence payments if residents did not return—despite circumstances beyond providers’ control. Under this legislation, those clawbacks will end by July 1, 2027, bringing financial relief to providers such as JCFS Chicago, Keshet, and Libenu. 

*A second measure, HB 4238, developed with CJE SeniorLife and dementia care clinicians, expands eligibility for the Illinois Supportive Living Program to individuals ages 44–64 with early-onset dementia. Previously excluded due to age, these individuals will now be eligible to reside in supportive living when they can no longer remain safely at home. 

JUF also worked with Representative Will Guzzardi and Senator Laura Fine to pass Jewish American Heritage Month resolutions. 

Throughout the session, JUF led impactful Springfield advocacy missions with partner agencies and volunteers focused on early childhood, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and broader community priorities. 

Together, these accomplishments reflect JUF’s continued leadership in advancing policies that promote safety, dignity, recognition, and care for Illinois’ diverse communities. 

Amy Zimmerman is JUF’s Associate Vice President of State Government Affairs. 

Jared Hoffman is JUF’s Senior Legislative Associate of State Government Affairs.