# Illinois HB5238: DHS-NEST PROGRAM

Illinois HB5238, DHS-NEST PROGRAM, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) House bill sponsored by Kelly M. Cassidy (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2026-05-08 (Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5238-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois HB5238
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: DHS-NEST PROGRAM
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-02-05
- Last action: 2026-05-08, Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly
- Sponsor: Kelly M. Cassidy (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 4
- Subjects: appropriations-health and human services
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Illinois Newborn Equity Support Transfer (NEST) Program Act. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer, subject to appropriations, the Illinois Newborn Equity Support Transfer (NEST) Program to provide direct cash assistance to eligible participants by July 1, 2026. Defines "participant" to mean any individual who gives birth in Illinois while enrolled in or eligible for Medicaid through Moms and Babies. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the NEST Program. Provides that program participants shall receive a $1,500 lump sum payment in or around the third trimester of pregnancy, prior to delivery; and a $500 monthly cash payment for the first 6 months following delivery. Requires the Department to submit reports to the General Assembly on a biennial basis that summarizes (1) the number of program participants and distribution across the State, (2) outcomes related to maternal and child health, housing stability, and economic security, or other outcomes identified by the Department in collaboration with stakeholders, and (3) recommendations for program improvements or additional populations beyond Medicaid enrollment to include as participants. Provides that cash disbursements made to participants under the NEST Program shall be considered "guaranteed income" as described in the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act for purposes of determining eligibility for assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective immediately.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Kelly M. Cassidy (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Camille Y. Lilly (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Laura Faver Dias (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Maura Hirschauer (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Nabeela Syed (Democratic), House

## Actions (9)

- 2026-05-08: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly (House)
- 2026-05-08: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer (House)
- 2026-05-08: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias (House)
- 2026-04-02: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Nabeela Syed (House)
- 2026-03-27: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2026-03-18: Assigned to Appropriations-Health and Human Services Committee (House)
- 2026-02-10: Referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2026-02-10: First Reading (House)
- 2026-02-05: Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB5238.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house)
- SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate)
- HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee)
- HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee)
- SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate)
- SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB5238.pdf)

## Related
- [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026)
- [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026)
- [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026)
- [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026)
- [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026)
- [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026)
- [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills)
- [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5238-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).