Castro works to bring tax relief to emergency services volunteers
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a measure that would enable volunteers who serve at local disaster and emergency services agencies in Illinois to qualify for the volunteer emergency worker tax credit.
“When disaster strikes, emergency services volunteers are there to provide assistance, perform damage assessments, remove debris and, ultimately, help our communities recover,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Giving them the ability to claim the same tax credit as volunteer firefighters is one small way we can extend our gratitude for their service while providing an incentive for others to volunteer in their communities.”
Senate Bill 2704 would allow certain municipal and county volunteer emergency workers to qualify for the Illinois volunteer emergency worker tax credit beginning in taxable year 2024. The volunteer would be eligible if they serve for at least 100 hours at a local emergency services and disaster agency during the taxable year, do not earn more than $5,000 for their service, and are registered with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. These requirements would only apply to volunteers working with a local emergency services and disaster agency. Volunteer firefighters and emergency service volunteers with a fire department are already eligible for the tax credit.
Read more: Castro works to bring tax relief to emergency services volunteers
Harris advances new initiative to bring hope to individuals fighting hair loss conditions
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III advanced a new initiative inspired by constituent concerns for individuals fighting cancer who were unable to afford a hair prosthesis.
“Individuals who are experiencing hair loss due to alopecia, chemotherapy or radiation have enough health hurdles to overcome,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “Making wigs and other scalp prostheses available to them can provide hope and help them feel more like themselves, giving them a sense of normalcy.”
Senate Bill 2573 would require insurance plans to provide coverage for wigs or other scalp prostheses for individuals experiencing hair loss due to alopecia, chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer or other conditions.
Read more: Harris advances new initiative to bring hope to individuals fighting hair loss conditions
Villa advances measure to protect individuals from overdose
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SPRINGFIELD – Social workers practice in a variety of settings with individuals, families and communities affected by substance use disorders, which results in encounters with individuals at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose. For this reason, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would allow social workers to administer opioid antagonists, which is an initiative from social workers at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
“The opioid epidemic is still ongoing and we must do everything we can to prevent future fatalities from occurring,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Licensed clinical social workers and licensed social workers are on the frontlines of these issues severely affecting our communities and should be allowed to administer lifesaving medication.”
Senate Bill 3779 allows a licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker to possess and administer opioid antagonists. Opioid antagonists, such as Naloxone, temporarily block the effects of an overdose and restore breathing. Employers of social workers would be required to provide training and establish a policy to control the acquisition, storage, transportation, and administration of opioid antagonists.
Read more: Villa advances measure to protect individuals from overdose
Murphy’s measure will make medication easier to obtain in shortages
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SPRINGFIELD – Under a new measure proposed by State Senator Laura Murphy, medications could be easier to obtain during shortages.
“When you are a patient dealing with a long-term illness or condition, the last thing you want to hear is that your medication is out of stock, but the name brand — which isn’t covered by your insurance — is in stock and you’ll have to pay hundreds more just to get the medicine you need,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “It is even worse when you have to call every local pharmacy and get the same answer. We need to ensure better outcomes for our patients by ensuring that they have access to the medications that they need.”
Murphy’s measure would require health insurance and managed care plans to cover brand name prescription drugs if the generic drug is unavailable during a nationwide shortage.
Read more: Murphy’s measure will make medication easier to obtain in shortages
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