Palm Sunday MARCH 29, 2026 Wednesday • March 25, 2026
Auto Insurance Reform Bill Clears Illinois House Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ Driving Change campaign – launched to combat unfair and discriminatory auto insurance practices – is now delivering results, as legislation advancing insurance reforms has passed the Illinois House and will return to the Senate for a concurrence vote. Senate Bill 1486 builds on the momentum generated by the Secretary of State’s statewide advocacy effort, which elevated concerns from Illinois drivers and helped shape a comprehensive proposal to bring greater fairness, transparency and accountability to insurance ratemaking. “Thanks to the thousands of voices of Illinoisans who shared their stories through our Driving Change campaign, we’re now on the verge of passing meaningful reforms that will hold insurance companies accountable and help make coverage more affordable.” Senate Bill 1486 introduces several consumer protections, including: • Requiring insurers to provide at least 60 daysnotice before increasing renewal premiums by more than 10 percent for auto or homeowners policies. • Expanding Illinois law to explicitly prohibit auto insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory – defined as rates that do not reflect actual differences in expected losses and expenses. • Granting the Illinois Department of Insurance greater authority to review rate filings and challenge those deemed unfair, with a clear process and timeline for hearings and resolution. • Preventing insurers from shifting costs from out-of-state risks, such as natural disasters, to Illinois policyholders.
• Modernizing the National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving Course by aligning the in-person course requirements with the online course requirements. The legislation, which passed the Illinois House, reflects concerns raised during the Driving Change campaign, which Giannoulias launched to spotlight how insurers use socio-economic data including credit scores, ZIP codes and age to set rates in ways that disproportionately impact seniors, working families and communities of color. The Driving Change campaign kicked off in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood and included partnerships with organizations such as AARP Illinois. “In the bill’s final stages, we are taking a meaningful step toward a more transparent and accountable insurance marketplace,” said Leader Robyn Gabel, a sponsor of the bill. “Illinois drivers and homeowners deserve a system that is rooted in fairness, prioritizes actual risk and protects consumers from excessive or unjustified rate increases.” As part of the campaign, the Secretary of State’s office launched an online portal – www.ilsos.gov/ drivingchange – allowing Illinoisans to share personal experiences with insurance pricing and advocate for legislative reform. Feedback collected through the site and a series of statewide town halls directly informed the policy framework now advancing in Springfield. The push for reform comes amid rising insurance costs statewide. Illinois auto insurance rates increased 18 percent in 2024. At the same time, Illinois remains one of only two states that does not require prior review of insurance rates, leaving consumers vulnerable to excessive or unfair pricing.
Y? WHY NOT!
Make Time by Janice R Newman Time moves faster than we think. One moment you are in your twenties, full of plans and dreams. Then you blink, and you are in your thirties, forties, and beyond. Before long, after watching your children grow up, your grandchildren begin their own journeys. Life does not slow down for anyone; despite we all want it to. That is why we must learn to make time. There is never a perfect moment to start. We all have the same 24 hours a day. The difference is how we choose to use them. Many of us spend hours watching television, scrolling or talking on our phones, while procrastinating on the things we say we want to do. If something truly matters to you, you must make time for it. Not later. Not next week. Make Time Now! The most important area to make time for is relationships. Family and friends are a major part of our lives. It is easy to say we are too busy, but you need to spend time with loved ones. A quick phone call, a shared meal, or simply sitting together and talking can help you grow closer and develop a stronger bond. Don’t put a busy schedule before the people who matter most. Jobs don’t last forever, but relationships can. Make time now, so no regrets later. We must also make time to get our lives in order. This includes our careers, finances, and personal goals. Many people dream of going back to school, learning a new skill, or starting a business, but they never take the first step. Time is a factor, however, there are numerous options, including online classes, workshops, and self-study through books. Learning takes time, but small steps can lead to big changes. You can read a few pages a day, take a short course, or learn something new each week. Health is another area that we must make time
for. We’re often too tired or too busy to exercise, and our bodies pay the price. Making time to stay active improves our health, energy level, and mood. Joining a gym, going for a walk, or even doing simple exercises at home can make a big difference. When we take care of our bodies, we’re more active and enjoy life better. Spiritual growth needs time also. ur lives are busy and it’s easy to forget to slow down and reflect. Making time for prayer, reading the Bible, or quiet meditation can bring peace and direction. The Bible teaches in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Time is a gift and we must use it wisely. Wise advice is found throughout the Bible. When we make time for God, we gain wisdom to guide in all aspects of our lives. Lastly, it’s important to make time for rest and joy. Life is more than work and responsibilities. We need moments to relax, laugh, and enjoy life. Whether it’s traveling, writing, dancing, or simply spending quiet time at home, these moments restore us: physically, mentally, and spiritually. Making time for you is vital and not a waste of time, it’s necessary time. Unfortunately, there will never be enough time to do everything. That is why we must choose what matters most and prioritize it. Some things, like work, are already set in our schedules. But what we do with the time before and after is up to us. We can plan our time and cut back on distractions so we can focus on what truly matters. Time is a great gift, but it’s also limited. Once it is gone, we can’t get it back. So don’t wait for the perfect moment. Make time now to love, to grow, to learn, and to live. Y? Why Not! Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ ywhynotshow/
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Public Warned About New Wave of Fraudulent DMV Penalty Text Scams Secretary Alexi Giannoulias is warning residents about a new surge in text message scams that falsely claim to be from the Illinois Secretary of State or the DMV. These messages threaten vehicle registration suspension, license penalties or other enforcement actions if an individual does not click a link or pay an alleged fine. The Secretary of State’s office is urging the public to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited messages. Scammers have recently escalated their tactics, crafting messages that look increasingly official by referencing fabricated regulations, deadlines or penalty commencement dates. Many of the texts cite an upcoming enforcement date and list severe consequences to pressure recipients into acting quickly. These schemes are designed to create panic and trick individuals into surrendering money or personal information. What to Do if You Receive a Suspicious Text: • Do not click the link. • Do not reply. • Do not provide personal or financial information. • Report the message by forwarding it to scamalert@ilsos.gov. “These text messages look legitimate and are designed to frighten people into acting quickly before they have time to think,” Giannoulias said. “Our office will never send a text message demanding payment or threatening to suspend someone’s license. If you receive a message like this, remember it’s a scam – plain and simple. Do not click the link and please report the message to scamalert@ilsos.gov.” The Secretary of State’s office only sends text messages to remind customers about scheduled DMV appointments. It does not send texts related to driver’s license status, vehicle registration issues or enforcement actions.