BUNKER HILL – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) is urging Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to rethink their decision to keep the Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area closed.

Manar raised concerns in a letter to the governor after learning Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area wasn’t included in the latest list of state parks set to reopen. After releasing an initial list of 25 state parks and wildlife areas on April 23, IDNR announced on May 1 that they would open an additional 35 parks, including Beaver Dam State Park in Macoupin County.

“With appropriate social distancing and other commonsense measures in place, I am of the opinion that Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area should open,” Manar said. “I urge the governor and IDNR to rethink this decision and allow Montgomery County and area families to enjoy local recreation that Coffeen Lake provides.”

Manar says outdoor recreation is a necessity for all Illinoisans, but is particularly at risk for those who live downstate.  He notes that many smaller communities don’t have local parks, so state parks, historic sites, and recreation areas become more important. 

“Access to fresh air and exercise is crucial for all Illinoisans, and in many rural communities, municipal and neighborhood parks are simply not an option, because they often do not exist,” Manar added. “I appreciate the governor adding Beaver Dam State Park to the original list of parks that would open. Now, I am asking him to do the same for Coffeen Lake.”

BUNKER HILL - State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) is emphasizing the importance of mental health wellness and encouraging Illinois residents to use resources and services available for those experiencing heightened levels of stress related to COVID-19.

“This pandemic has cast a great deal of stress into our lives over a very short period of time,” Manar said. “If you are dealing with heightened levels of anxiety or depression as a result, please know that you are not alone. We are all in this together, and there are people and resources available to help you work through this.”

The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division is operating Call4Calm, a free emotional support text line for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19.

Illinoisans who would like to speak with a mental health professional can text “TALK” to 5-5-2-0-2-0. Once a resident sends a text to the hotline, within 24 hours they will receive a call from a counselor employed by a local community mental health center to provide support. Individuals can also text key words such as “unemployment” or “food” or “shelter” and will receive information on pertinent resources and services.

Additionally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has published a COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide to answer frequently asked questions regarding the intersection between the novel coronavirus and people affected by mental illness, their caregivers and loved ones. The guide features FAQs on a variety of topics, from managing anxiety and social isolation to accessing health care and medications.

“Stigma, misinformation, and lack of access to support are just a few factors that can intensify fear and anxiety caused by economic distress,” Manar said. “It’s more important than ever that we look out for friends and neighbors and ensure that we and our loved ones have healthy coping mechanisms for managing stress.”

SPRINGFIELD – Following the launch of a statewide drug affordability campaign, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker) today unveiled a sweeping package of legislation aimed at putting checks on the pricing power of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and lowering the cost of prescription drugs for Illinoisans.

According to an analysis by CBS News, in the first half of 2019 alone, prices increased for over 3,400 prescription drugs. The average price hike is 10.5%, or 5 times the rate of inflation.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) has introduced legislation that would make it a Class 4 felony for a person to knowingly and falsely represent himself or herself to be a census worker in person or by any means of communication.

The move is intended to avert any efforts to use the 2020 Census for political gain in Illinois, after media outlets across the country reported that the Republican National Committee has repeatedly sent out fundraising mailers disguised to look like official census documents.

“Some things should simply be kept out of politics – the census count is one of them,” Manar said. “It is far too consequential to be diminished in any way by political gimmicks. We should be doing everything possible to ensure a full and accurate count, not sowing confusion and distrust by using the census to solicit political donations.”

Manar announced new legislation to create the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to set prescription price limits

SPRINGFIELD – Over half of Illinois residents are burdened by the high cost of health care and prescription drugs, according to a new Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey (CHESS), commissioned in January 2020 by Protect Our Care Illinois and Altarum’s Healthcare Value Hub, with the support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The survey found that 54% of respondents are either “worried” or “very worried” about affording the cost of prescription drugs, and 28% of Illinois adults have rationed or gone without medication due to the skyrocketing cost of prescription medication.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) welcomed Springfield High School senior Micah Jackson to the Capitol on Tuesday as part of Manar’s Future Leaders program and to recognize him for being named Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois Youth of the Year for 2019-2020.

Accompanying Jackson was Tiffany Mathis, who was appointed Executive Director and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois in January.

“The Boys & Girls Club is such a positive force in this community. Cultivating young leaders and preparing them to succeed is some of the most important work we can do,” Manar said. “The impact of Tiffany Mathis and professionals like her is evident to anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting students like Micah Jackson.”

Jackson, 17, shadowed Manar for the day, joining him in committee meetings and on the Senate floor where he met other state lawmakers and observed them as they debated and voted on legislation.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Medicaid recipients considering clinical trials for cancer treatment would no longer face possible rejection of coverage for care under legislation advanced out of the Senate Human Services Committee by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) on Wednesday.

“Access to the latest, most advanced cancer treatments can mean the difference between life and death for patients,” Manar said. “I take issue with the fact that some people are granted that access and others aren’t, simply depending on which insurance plan they have. This legislation solves that.”

An initiative of the American Cancer Society, Senate Bill 2499 requires Medicaid to cover routine care costs incurred for an approved clinical trial involving the prevention, detection, or treatment of cancer or any other life-threatening disease, as long as Medicaid would normally cover those same routine care costs for a non-clinical procedure.

SPRINGFIELD - The ability of pharmaceutical companies to line their pockets on the backs of Illinoisans with diabetes is coming to an end.

Surrounded by advocates and diabetes patients young and old, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Senate Bill 667, sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), making Illinois the second state in the nation to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $100 per month for all patients regardless of the supply they require. The cap applies to commercial insurance plans regulated by the state starting on Jan. 1, 2021.

“I’m deeply grateful for the brave individuals and families, some of whom are here today, who stepped up and challenged the status quo on behalf of millions of people who share their experience,” Manar said. “Their stories propelled Senate Bill 667 through the legislature with bipartisan support by evoking a shared belief that unites us all — the health and humanity of our neighbors isn’t a tool to be leveraged for exorbitant profit.”

Roughly 1.3 million Illinoisans are living with diabetes and rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Price increases have left many of them struggling to pay for the drug and at risk of deadly consequences.