Governor expresses support for Manar’s measure to cap insulin costs

CHICAGO – Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) introduced a new measure to cap the skyrocketing costs of prescription insulin for Illinoisans with diabetes, which has garnered support from Governor JB Pritzker.

“Health care is a right, not a privilege,” said Pritzker. “As we work to address the high cost of prescription drugs that are burdening millions all across our state, this legislation is an essential step in the right direction toward fulfilling our promise to put state government back on the side of working families.”

Senate Bill 667 would cap patients’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply.

Over 30 million Americans have diabetes, and 7.4 million Americans require prescription insulin every day to survive, according to the American Diabetes Association. However, the price of insulin has climbed sharply in recent years, driving many patients to sacrifice other daily needs to pay for insulin or ration their supply.

Read more: Governor expresses support for Manar’s measure to cap insulin costs

Lightford hosts RALI CARES education trailer to combat opioid abuse

HILLSIDE – To continue efforts in combating the opioid crisis, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) partnered with the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative and the Code 3 Association to bring the RALI CARES educational trailer to Hillside last week.

In 2016, there were 1,947 overdose deaths due to opioids in Illinois, according to the Department of Public Health. From 1999 to 2016, opioid related overdose deaths in the state nearly quadrupled.

“The statistics on overdose deaths are glaring and they call for action against the opioid crisis that is currently affecting every part of our state,” Lightford said. “The RALI CARES trailer is a tool to help parents and guardians identify signs of drug usage, which will help save lives.”

Read more: Lightford hosts RALI CARES education trailer to combat opioid abuse

35.8 Million for New Health Facility at South Suburban Community College

SPRINGFIELD – South Suburban Community College is receiving $35.8 million from the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan to build a new allied health facility.

The new four-story facility will be approximately 130,000 square feet. It will provide the college with a cutting-edge teaching facility to train students for health care careers. The estimated cost for the project is roughly $70 million, with nearly $17 million in state funding already released and the remaining funding being provided locally.

“I’m thrilled to see Illinois investing into a state-of-the-art teaching facility in the south suburbs,” said State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey). “This new facility will provide better job opportunities and bring more resources to students who want a career in the medical industry.”

Read more: 35.8 Million for New Health Facility at South Suburban Community College

Bennett receives Taiwanese soybean delegation ahead of multi-billion-dollar soybean and corn agreements

CHAMPAIGN – Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett hosted a Taiwanese delegation at his family farm on Sept. 24 in Ford County to celebrate the $2.2 billion commitment to purchase Illinois soybeans and corn over the next two years.

“Illinois is a leading producer of soybeans and corn,” Bennett said. “Earlier this summer, I met with Taiwan government officials and agricultural business leaders to talk about why they should purchase soybeans and corn from Illinois.”

Bennett said he wanted to personally introduce the delegation to Illinois agriculture. Illinois and Taiwanese associations signed two $1.1 billion agreements to purchase Illinois crops between 2020 and 2021.

Read more: Bennett receives Taiwanese soybean delegation ahead of multi-billion-dollar soybean and corn...