Martwick moves for transparent firefighter pension, firefighter workers’ comp

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) passed a measure Monday that creates transparency regarding the true conditions of the Chicago firefighter pensions system and provides an accurate path for stability.

“This legislation shines a light on the true financial condition of the fund and prevents the city from intentionally kicking the can down the road and forcing bigger tax increases in the future,” Martwick said.  “The only way to truly fix our finances is to first acknowledge the true depth of the problem.”

House Bill 2451 removes outdated language that understates the true value of the pension benefit paid to firefighters while allowing the city to structurally underfund its payments. Two firefighters could have started on the force the same day, but could receive different benefits based on their dates of birth. 

Read more: Martwick moves for transparent firefighter pension, firefighter workers’ comp

Cunningham passes measure extending workers’ comp protections

SPRINGFIELD – During the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring, the Illinois General Assembly passed a law offering additional workers’ compensation protections to first responders and essential workers. Today, State Senator Bill Cunningham led the Illinois Senate in passing a measure to extend those protections by six months.

The law allows essential workers and first responders to file for workers’ compensation benefits if they contract COVID-19 during the course of their employment – providing them with additional economic support while they recover from the illness. Employers have an opportunity to rebut workers’ claims by demonstrating they followed all applicable public health guidelines.

Read more: Cunningham passes measure extending workers’ comp protections

Bush passes measure to further tackle opioid crisis

Bush passes measure to further tackle opioid crisis

SPRINGFIELD – To further reduce opioid abuse, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) passed a measure to ensure every medication prescriber, including e-prescribers, has access to the same database.

“Every prescriber should have access to the prescription database, so they can keep better track of which patients received medications and when they received them,” Bush said. “Checking when someone last received a medication will crack down on overprescribing and doctor shopping.”

The Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program collects information on controlled substance prescriptions dispensed in Illinois. The PMP website allows prescribers and dispensers to view a current or prospective patient's prescription history.

The ultimate goal of the PMP is to assist prescribers and dispensers in the effective treatment of patients seeking medical care. However, currently not every prescriber has access to the database. 

Read more: Bush passes measure to further tackle opioid crisis

Hastings provides an update on streamlined licensing process for military members

FRANKFORT – In order to ease the burden of getting state licenses for military members and their families, the State of Illinois is expediting the licensing review process for military members seeking to obtain professional licensure in Illinois.

State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) voted in favor of the law, Public Act 100-286, to make this process a reality in 2019.

The expedited review process will be in place for military service members who are on active duty or whose active duty service ended within the last two years. This review process also is available to spouses.

Read more: Hastings provides an update on streamlined licensing process for military members