GLENVIEW – Starting this month, unemployed Illinoisans in need of health insurance through the ACA Marketplace are eligible for financial assistance, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced Tuesday.

“Every Illinoisan deserves access to quality, affordable health care, and I’m pleased to see President Biden’s American Rescue Plan paving the way for many families to be able to afford health insurance,” Senator Fine said. “Individuals struggling to find employment should take advantage of this special enrollment period to prevent a possible lapse in insurance coverage.”

Thanks to new tax credits made possible by the federal American Rescue Plan, Illinoisans who received, or are approved to receive, unemployment compensation in 2021 may be able to find lower-cost plans and reduce out-of-pocket health insurance premiums when purchasing plans through the ACA Marketplace.

To maximize savings, individuals are encouraged to enroll in coverage on HealthCare.gov before the current special enrollment period closes on Aug. 15. Illinoisans can receive enrollment assistance at GetCoveredIllinois.gov.

“Anyone who has received unemployment income in 2021 should submit a new application or update their existing one,” said Illinois Department of Insurance Acting Director Dana Popish Severinghaus. “You may find that with the advanced premium tax credits, your monthly premium could average $10 or less per month, or even $0.”

More information on the 2021 Special Enrollment Period in Response to COVID-19 for the ACA Marketplace and the American Rescue Plan can be found here.

GLENVIEW – Families in Evanston, Glenview and Wilmette will benefit from a combined $3.3 million investment in walking and biking paths and street improvements, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced Monday.

“Investments in local transportation and infrastructure are investments in our community,” Senator Fine said. “Illinoisans should have countless safe options to travel recreationally and professionally.”

Residents of the North Shore will see a number of improvements, including to Main Street in Evanston; the Milwaukee Avenue pedestrian signal in Glenview; and U.S. Route 41, Skokie Boulevard, and pedestrian and bicycle lanes in Wilmette.

These projects are part of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, for which the Illinois Department of Transportation has selected 99 projects totaling $105.7 million. Projects receiving funding in this round of investment include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification, and other projects designed to encourage safe travel across the various modes of transportation at the local level.

"These projects will add to the quality of life in the 9th District," Senator Fine said. "I am looking forward to seeing the enhanced benefits of the improved walking and biking paths and streets.”

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the General Assembly’s passage of a state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) released the following statement:

“Illinoisans are seeking social services at an unprecedented rate due to the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the investments we’re making in disability support services and mental health and substance abuse treatment will save lives across our state. 

“I am also happy to see our state stay true to its commitment to fully fund the evidence-based school funding formula to support the schools preparing to welcome students back in person after last year’s tough transition to hybrid and remote learning.

SPRINGFIELD – Individuals seeking telehealth treatment would be able to rely on their insurance company to cover care under a measure cosponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Sunday.

“During the pandemic, telehealth proved to be lifesaving for many Illinois residents, especially for those seeking behavioral and mental health services,” Senator Fine said. “In addition, expanding telehealth coverage will make access to treatment easier for individuals, especially those who are homebound and those without reliable transportation options.”

Under current law, insurance companies may, but are not required to provide coverage for telehealth services. This measure would ensure coverage for clinically appropriate and medically necessary telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services.

SPRINGFIELD – Birth centers across Illinois would have a path to permanent licensure, increasing access to quality, affordable health care for pregnant women, under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) that passed the Senate Saturday.

“Pregnant women should not be limited in their choice of birthing style due to an inadequate number of freestanding birth center licenses in Illinois,” Senator Fine said. “Improving accessibility to birth centers will help bridge health care disparities across the state.”

SPRINGFIELD – Insurance coverage for infertility treatments would expand beyond women in heterosexual relationships under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Women of all ages, medical histories, partner statuses and sexual orientations should receive coverage for infertility treatment,” Senator Fine said. “This expansion would open the door for more Illinoisans to become mothers.”

SPRINGFIELD – Epilepsy specialists would be reimbursed by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for providing telehealth treatment services under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Telehealth has become beneficial for many individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this measure will help ensure Illinoisans can seek treatment in the way that’s most comfortable for them,” Senator Fine said.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans filing claims for disability benefits would not be required to pay for mandatory copies of medical records under legislation from State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Individuals applying for benefits should not have to jump through hoops and pay unnecessary fees for records required to file benefits claims,” Senator Fine said. “Benefit programs should help people struggling financially, not add to their financial burden.”