CHICAGO (December 22, 2025) – As we head into a new year, the Chicago medical malpractice law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is alerting Illinois residents of new Illinois laws related to health and medical care that are set to take effect in 2026:
- Expansion of implicit bias training for healthcare workers (HB 2517): Requires the Department of Public Health to create a professional development course that addresses racial disparities in maternal health treatment and educates healthcare providers on the increased risk of pregnancy-related death for women of marginalized racial or ethnic groups. The course will also advise on medical care plans that have demonstrated a successful decrease in maternal mortality rates and complications.
- Toxic metals in baby food (SB 0073): In an effort to reduce the risk of exposure to toxic metals, manufacturers of baby food will be required to test samples of their products on a monthly basis for the presence of toxic elements such as arsenic, cadmium, lead or mercury.
- Work eligibility (HB3200): In 2026, the pool of medical workers that can determine someone’s physical eligibility to work will expand from just physicians to include nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
- Patient prescription pick-up (HB3849): Beginning January 1, any “authorized employee” of a hospice organization – not just nurses and physicians – will be permitted to pick up and deliver a hospice patient’s prescription, including controlled substances.
“It’s no coincidence that many of my birth injury clients throughout my career have been women of color or from minority backgrounds. This pattern is sadly tied to racial bias in clinical decision-making, access, and institutional priorities. Too often, I see the tragic consequences when warning signs are minimized or flat out ignored. I am encouraged by Illinois lawmakers’ efforts to address disparities in maternal healthcare and hopeful that these steps will lead to meaningful, lasting change,” Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard Partner Matthew L. Williams said.
Attorney Matthew L. Williams is available to discuss the above new laws in more detail. Mr. Williams specializes in representing patients who have been harmed by medical negligence, which includes serving as lead counsel in two birth injury cases that resulted in jury verdicts of over $50 million.
Please contact Marcie Mangan, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard’s Director of Public Relations, at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com to schedule an interview.
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