Turner applauds funding to improve behavioral health center in district

DECATUR – State Senator Doris Turner joined the Illinois Capital Development Board and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services in announcing $200 million in funding to transform health care delivery and improve health outcomes in the state.

“Having the ability to provide adequate behavioral health services in the Decatur community and beyond is a huge step in the right direction,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Heritage Behavioral Health Center improves the mental and physical well-being of those they serve and now they will be able to help more people.”

The Healthcare Transformation Capital Improvement grants will build on HFS’ equity-driven Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives program, which was established in 2021. The goals of the HTC program are to expand access to care and improve health equity, especially in underserved communities, by leveraging shared resources among collaborative partners to create locally-driven solutions.

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Senate Democrats praise new Medicaid coverage for certified doula and lactation consultant services

CHICAGO - State Senators Mattie Hunter and Cristina Castro celebrated the announcement of the availability of new perinatal doula and lactation consultant services pregnant and postpartum individuals who are enrolled in the Illinois Medicaid program.

“Doulas and lactation consultants provide vital support that helps improve the overall health of mothers and their babies,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “By expanding coverage of these services, we are making essential care more attainable for families.”

This coverage will further expand maternal and child health coverage, by ensuring all individuals are supported throughout their pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience.

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Simmons: Housing is a human right

CHICAGO – To address the housing crisis that the 7^th District and entire state of Illinois faces, State Senator Mike Simmons led a Senate Human Rights Committee subject matter hearing on Tuesday entitled ”Housing as a Human Right.”

“The hearing is in direct response to what my office witnesses on a daily basis, which is people in a housing crisis,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Common threats to stable, accessible, affordable housing include double-digit rent increases, the threat of eviction, building neglect and disrepair, homelessness, and domestic violence. No matter what part of Illinois you live in, there is a lack of sufficient accessible, quality housing, and the purpose of this hearing is to amplify this issue and affect real change.”

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Lightford pushes for stronger hemp regulations to protect public health

CHICAGO — Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford joined Governor JB Pritzker and a number of stakeholders to push for the House passage of her measure that would regulate Delta-8, a synthetic hemp-derived THC intoxicant.

“The current unregulated market undermines social equity license holders who have long worked to establish a legal, well-regulated business,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Effective regulation is about safeguarding public health and fostering a sustainable, trustworthy market."

Read more: Lightford pushes for stronger hemp regulations to protect public health