Castro, Hunter proud to be part of the first state to extend full Medicaid benefits to mothers 12 months postpartum

CHICAGO – After months of work to extend health care access to more Illinoisans, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus are celebrating the extension of Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days to 12 months postpartum. Illinois is the first state in the nation to extend coverage to ensure low-income mothers receive the support they need in the critical months following birth.

“We know that a significant share of pregnancy-associated deaths are preventable, and in 2021, mothers should absolutely not be dying from preventable causes after they give birth,” said State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), who sits on the Senate Committee on Healthcare Access and Availability. “Extending Medicaid benefits to mothers for 12 months postpartum is a critical step toward reducing the maternal morbidity and mortality rate.”

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Stadelman joined by governor to celebrate government investments in Rockford

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was joined by Governor J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday to celebrate hundreds of millions of dollars in state and federal investments in the Rockford area.

As part of a $23 million multi-year Rebuild Illinois project, The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is granting $13 million for infrastructure improvements to the BMO Harris Center in Downtown Rockford, home of the Ice Hogs, an American Hockey League affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. The Stanley Cup-winning franchise recently announced its acquisition of the Rockford hockey team.

“This is great news for Rockford area hockey fans and downtown businesses,” Stadelman said. “The improvements to BMO Harris Bank Center will ensure the entertainment venue remains a tourist attraction. The state continues to show its commitment to Rockford by supporting the revitalization of downtown.”

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Simmons calls for $600-per-child tax credit for struggling families

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago), joined by advocates from Voices for Illinois Children, SEIU Healthcare and Start Early, as well as members of the community, spoke out about his legislation creating a new $600-per-child state income tax credit to help working families make ends meet at a Wednesday press conference.

“As we reinvest in our communities following the pandemic, we must make sure working families are included,” Simmons said. “This pandemic has wrought devastation on families of color and children living in poverty in particular, and too often, they’re left out of the conversation.”

Simmons’ plan would provide a $600-per-child income tax credit for single parents making less than $40,000 per year and two-parent households that make less than $60,000. It would gradually phase out for parents at higher income levels.

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Van Pelt commends effort to expand vaccination program

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) said additional funding the state will receive to expand Illinois’ vaccination program will save lives, especially in communities of color that have been hit hardest by the virus.

“This funding is necessary for our state to increase vaccine accessibility, especially for those communities disproportionately affected by the ongoing pandemic,” Van Pelt said. “I commend the CDC for their effort to expand the COVID-19 vaccination program.”

Illinois will receive an additional $124 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand the COVID-19 vaccination program, including more than $90 million for the state and $33 million for the City of Chicago. Approximately 75% of the funding will focus on underserved and disproportionate communities affected by the pandemic to ensure vaccines are distributed to people fairly.

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