SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler today advanced House Bill 767, legislation designed to put clear, expert vaccine guidance at the center of Illinois’ public health response.

“Families deserve straightforward, evidence-based information when making health decisions for their children,” Koehler (D-Peoria) said. “This bill makes sure medical experts are directing immunization policy while strengthening protections around who can administer vaccines to young children.”

House Bill 767 comes at a time when the federal administration has gone dark on vaccine transparency. The goal is to shine a spotlight on this issue so Illinois continues to follow the science, no matter what happens at the federal level.

The legislation would strengthen advisory duties for the Department of Public Health’s medical director and require the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee to advise the director on diseases for which a vaccine is licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This aims to give the state advisory committee more authority to advise the director on vaccine guidelines that protect Illinois public health in the absence of federal action.

As consumer protections and insurance coverage at the federal level are rolled back, this legislation would require health insurance plans to cover, without cost-sharing, immunizations that are recommended within the State Guidelines for Communicable Disease Prevention. Under this bill, coverage would take effect within 15 days after becoming law, removing a financial barrier to timely access for families.

“By centering medical expertise, transparency and clear rules, House Bill 767 will help families make informed choices and give providers the guidance they need to protect public health,” Koehler said.

House Bill 767 passed the Senate Thursday.