Specialty Air Force license plates for combat vets passes thanks to Halpin
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin advanced a measure through the Illinois Senate to create specialty Air Force Combat Action Medal license plates.
“This is a way for us to thank Air Force veterans for their service to our country,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “I was proud to see this measure pass with bipartisan support.”
Currently, the Air Force is the only branch of the military that does not have a license plate for combat veterans. The Illinois Secretary of State is authorized to issue Combat Action Ribbon license plates to members of the Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps, and Combat Action Badge license plates to special groups within the Army.
Halpin’s measure would allow the Secretary of State to issue Air Force Combat Action Medal license plates to Air Force veterans who were awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal.
House Bill 4108 passed the Illinois Senate on Wednesday and heads to the governor’s desk.
Villivalam measure expands eligibility for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
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SPRINGFIELD - A measure sponsored by State Senator Ram Villivalam would expand eligibility for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
“No person should have to worry about how they are going to afford their utility bills,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Expanding LIHEAP provides us a unique opportunity to give some of our most vulnerable residents a sense of security.”
House Bill 4141 would allow people to apply for LIHEAP if they live in subsidized housing, if their rental expenses are no more than 30% of the household income, or if their energy bill is a portion of their rent.
Read more: Villivalam measure expands eligibility for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Senate passes Glowiak Hilton measure to prohibit pharmacy prescription refusals
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SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to make medication more accessible to Illinoisans, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton advanced an initiative to prohibit pharmacists from refusing to fill a written prescription.
“Denying medication because of how it is sent to the pharmacy creates unnecessary complications that could cost a patient their life,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Individuals should be able to easily access their prescriptions, not be penalized because of a technicality.”
In response to the opioid epidemic, the Illinois General Assembly passed a law in 2021 requiring prescriptions of controlled substances to be sent electronically. However, some pharmacists are now refusing to fill non-electronic prescriptions despite exceptions to the current law. House Bill 4874 would prohibit a pharmacist from refusing to fill a paper or non-electronic prescription.
Read more: Senate passes Glowiak Hilton measure to prohibit pharmacy prescription refusals
Aquino calls for wage increase for in-home care workers
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SPRINGFIELD — To shore up recruitment and retention in Illinois’ home care workforce, State Senator Omar Aquino stood with Service Employees International Union members to call for a dignified, living wage for in-home care providers at a rally at the Capitol Wednesday.
“In-home care is critical to keeping our parents and grandparents healthy and in their homes,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “We want to make sure that no matter where you live in Illinois, there is high-quality care available in every community.”
Illinois’ Community Care Program allows seniors to receive care and community-based services in their own homes. Thanks to the program, over 50,000 Illinois seniors are able to receive in-home care every month, allowing them to live independently without the need to move to a more restrictive setting like a nursing facility.
Read more: Aquino calls for wage increase for in-home care workers
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