Alzheimer’s Association Applauds Governor JB Pritzker for Signing Senate Bill 2886 to Protect Illinois Residents from Biomarker Discrimination

New law expands privacy protections for biomarker testing and helps safeguard access to emerging Alzheimer's diagnostic tools

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - July 27, 2026 — The Alzheimer's Association today applauded Governor JB Pritzker for signing Senate Bill 2886 into law, strengthening protections for Illinois residents by expanding the state's existing Genetic Information Privacy Act to include biomarkers and biomarker testing.

The legislation, which takes effect January 1, 2027, establishes important privacy protections for biomarker information and helps ensure Illinois residents can benefit from advances in medical technology without fear of discrimination or misuse of sensitive health information. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Bill Cunningham in the Senate and Rep. Maurice A. West, II in the House.

As advances in science continue to improve the detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other conditions, biomarker testing is becoming increasingly available and accessible. Biomarkers are measurable indicators of a disease or condition that healthcare professionals use to assess risk, monitor changes and help guide treatment decisions.

In Alzheimer's, biomarkers can detect the presence of amyloid plaques and tau proteins which are hallmarks of the disease. Historically, these biomarkers could only be measured through costly and invasive procedures such as PET imaging or lumbar punctures. New blood-based biomarker tests, including FDA-cleared tests already available to clinicians, are making Alzheimer's-related testing more accessible, affordable and less invasive for patients.

"Scientific advances are transforming how we detect and diagnose Alzheimer's disease, but those advances should never come at the cost of an individual's privacy or economic security," said David Olsen, Government Relations Director for the Alzheimer's Association in Illinois. "By signing SB2886, Illinois is taking an important proactive step to ensure biomarker testing can be used appropriately by patients and their healthcare providers, while protecting residents from discrimination."

SB2886 expands Illinois' privacy framework by extending existing protections for genetic information to include biomarkers and biomarker testing. The law establishes that information derived from biomarker testing is confidential and privileged and limits how that information may be collected, used and disclosed.

The legislation also limits employers' ability to request, use, disclose or act upon biomarker testing information in employment-related decisions, helping protect individuals from discrimination in hiring, firing, compensation and other workplace matters.

In addition, the law prohibits insurers from seeking or using information derived from biomarker testing for accident and health insurance underwriting purposes, except in limited circumstances established by law.

"Illinois has long been a leader in protecting personal health information, and this legislation ensures our laws keep pace with rapidly evolving medical technology," said Sen. Bill Cunningham. "As biomarker testing becomes more common, we must ensure residents can access these potentially life-changing tools without fear that sensitive health information could be used against them."

"With rapid advances in science, we must ensure that new biomarker testing helps Illinois residents, rather than hurting them," said Rep. Maurice West. "This new law will ensure employers and health insurers cannot discriminate against Illinois residents based on the results of these important tests."

Alzheimer's is a growing public health challenge in Illinois, where more than 250,000 residents are currently estimated to be living with the disease. At the same time, public interest in Alzheimer's testing continues to rise. According to Alzheimer's Association research, 91% of Americans say they would want to take a simple test to detect biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease before symptoms appear, and 80% say they would ask to be tested rather than wait for their doctor to suggest it. 

Alzheimer's isn't a hypothetical for my family, it's touched every woman on my mother's side for three generations," said Holly Blastic. "I'm currently taking part in an Alzheimer’s research study. While I don't know my biomarker results, I know that whatever they show, I shouldn't have to worry about losing a job or being denied insurance because of them. Laws like this assuage my fears for my children’s future too. I hope this disease never touches my four kids directly, but I am grateful this law means they can seek answers without fear of being punished for it." 

The Alzheimer's Association supported the legislation as part of its ongoing efforts to advance early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease while ensuring individuals are protected from discrimination and misuse of sensitive health information.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.