A new measure aiming to ensure fair access to life insurance has advanced in Illinois. State Senator Adriane Johnson is behind House Bill 2425, which prohibits insurance companies from denying final expense life insurance coverage solely because an applicant has a felony conviction in their past. The legislation also bars insurers from limiting or charging higher rates on these policies, designed to help families cover funeral and medical expenses, based on felony history. Individuals currently incarcerated are excluded from this protection. Supporters say the bill upholds dignity and offers families critical financial security. The Senate passed the bill on Thursday.
“No one should be denied the ability to plan for the future because of a past mistake,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “People who have served their time deserve the opportunity to protect their loved ones from the financial burdens that come with end-of-life costs.”
“This measure is rooted in fairness and practicality,” Johnson said. “It helps people plan with dignity, reduces stigma, and recognizes that rehabilitation means more than just finishing a sentence—it means being treated with basic human respect.”
