Faraci extends utility assistance program for low-income households

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci advanced legislation to extend the Energy Assistance Act, which provides low-income households with financial assistance on utility bills.

“Every resident in our state should have access to essential services,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “The ability to heat or cool your home should be a fundamental right, not a privilege.”

Faraci’s measure would eliminate the scheduled sunset date on a state fund that finances two needs-based assistance programs – the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). The fund was set to shut down Jan. 1, 2025.

Read more: Faraci extends utility assistance program for low-income households

Toro: Law enforcement needs to have autism sensitivity training

SPRINGFIELD — To reduce the risk of unnecessary violent confrontations between law enforcement and people with autism, State Senator Natalie Toro introduced legislation requiring officers to go through autism-informed responses in their training.

“Having an encounter with law enforcement can be nerve-wracking for anyone, but for people with behavioral disabilities like autism, it can be even more confusing and anxiety-provoking,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “It is important for law enforcement to know how to best approach and engage with autistic individuals to minimize fear and actually have a productive conversation.”

Read more: Toro: Law enforcement needs to have autism sensitivity training

Edly-Allen measure to expand breast cancer care

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen passed an initiative through the Senate Insurance Committee to fill gaps in current breast cancer screening coverage and ensure that all Illinoisans are able to receive screening that accurately detects cancer.

“Standard mammograms aren’t always effective on patients with dense breasts. Unfortunately, insurance companies may deny having additional tests that are needed to detect cancer. This can lead to life-threatening situations for those who cannot afford additional tests,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “We must ensure that we do not put profit over people’s health and require these insurance plans to cover all medically necessary tests, and not just the bare minimum.”

House Bill 4180 would require any insurance plan in the state, including Medicaid, to cover molecular breast imaging (MBI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)  if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue or when determined medically necessary.

Read more: Edly-Allen measure to expand breast cancer care

Senators Villivalam and Johnson rally to support equality in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Democrats joined together with advocates and community leaders at the Capitol Wednesday to support equality throughout Illinois.

“We cannot let down our youth. We need to stand with them and hear them – especially when they are speaking so loudly,” said State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago).

In order to bolster support for continued efforts to achieve inclusivity and accessibility, State Senator Ram Villivalam is leading legislation that would address funding for health, safety and sexual health education in all public elementary and high schools.

In 2021, Villivalam led a law to bring forth new learning standards for age-appropriate, medically- accurate, and inclusive personal health, safety, and sexual education in public schools that opt in, whereas this legislation was championed by Senator Villivalam.

This year he is leading Senate Bill 3384 to appropriate $20 million for grants to local school district and community organizations to implement this education.

Read more: Senators Villivalam and Johnson rally to support equality in Illinois