Bush reacts to Mississippi’s request to top court to overturn Roe v. Wade

SPRINGFIELD – A steadfast advocate of a woman’s right to choose, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) issued the following statement after Mississippi’s attorney general asked the Supreme Court to overrule Roe v. Wade to restrict abortion access:

“There’s a war against women and their right to choose going on across the country, and it’s appalling how many public officials are contributing to it.

“Abortion is just like every other medical procedure and must be treated as such. Women’s right to make personal and fundamental choices about their bodies must be protected. It is an essential right of health equality, equity and justice.

“I am in complete dismay of the actions and words of the Mississippi attorney general. While I know I can go to sleep each night knowing women in Illinois will always be protected from having their rights stripped away, it pains me to know all women across our country don’t have the same freedoms.”

Bush championed a law in 2017 that ensures Illinois women would still have access to safe and legal abortions should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. She also led the monumental 2019 Reproductive Health Act, which repealed outdated abortion laws that have been blocked by the courts and ensured that reproductive health care is treated like all other health care and not as a crime.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) is proud to see legislation expanding telehealth services in Illinois signed into law on Thursday. Cullerton was a co-sponsor of the legislation in the Senate.

“From initial consultations with a specialty doctor to mental health check-ins with a therapist, the use of telehealth throughout this pandemic has provided so many more opportunities for people to access health care,” Cullerton said. “I am so glad to see this legislation signed today, because without it, so many people would lose their ease of access to health care.”

Telehealth services were largely used during the COVID-19 pandemic due to emergency federal and state orders. This legislation will maintain and expand telehealth services by requiring insurance companies to utilize similar billing processes for both in-person and telehealth services.

During the pandemic, telehealth services reduced the number of missed appointments while increasing care plan adherence and improving chronic disease management. For those who are homebound or find it difficult to leave the house, telehealth services allow them to check in with their doctors without the stress of leaving their home. Additionally, telehealth services give people easier access to counseling for mental health.

“Telehealth will not only help patients but doctors as well,”  said State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey), the primary sponsor of the legislation. “Now appointments can be more efficient when in-person visits are not needed, and disproportionately impacted community members will have access to these services, which were not equitably provided throughout the pandemic.”

House Bill 3308 was signed by Governor JB Pritzker on Thursday. The law is effective immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – Telehealth services will be expanded and adopted across Illinois – with a focus on disadvantaged communities – because of a law sponsored by State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey).

“Telehealth will not only help patients but doctors as well,” Harris said. “Now appointments can be more efficient when in-person visits are not needed, and disproportionately impacted community members will have access to these services, which were not equitably provided throughout the pandemic.”

This law will prohibit insurers that cover telehealth services from creating restrictions or requirements for these services. Instead, they will be treated the same as an in-person health visits for physical symptoms.

CHICAGO – To build a dialogue with the people he represents in order to better serve them while in Springfield, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is hosting a series of people’s councils over the next several months.

“I want residents of the 7th District to be at the center of my legislative work. These councils will provide a safe space for them to speak about their day to day struggles and work with me to build out a set of people-led policy priorities I can act on in the legislature,” Simmons said. “My goal is to demystify the work of the General Assembly for residents who historically have not had access to government and empower them to see themselves in this work.”

At the councils, Simmons will meet with everyday people from different groupings to discuss the issues important to them. The first council, which took place Wednesday, featured single moms.

“The moms spoke about the systemic barriers they navigate in accessing housing, being actively involved with their children’s educations, and accessing responsive wraparound social services, among other topics,” Simmons said. “We talked about what government looks like in the context of their daily lives and how our office can make it better serve them.”

In total, nine groups will have featured councils: single moms, long-time 7^th District residents, older adults, reentering citizens, LGBTQIA individuals, young adults, undocumented immigrants, mom and pop small business owners, and individuals living with disabilities.

“This is a great opportunity to learn directly from the people I represent what matters most to them and hear where their needs are greatest. Then, I can fight for them in Springfield,” Simmons said. “I want our district office to be a welcoming environment for all residents of the communities I represent, which is why I’m happily inviting residents to come participate in these legislative councils.”

The legislative councils will convene at Simmons’ district office, located at 5533 N. Broadway. For more information about the councils, including how to participate, contact Simmons’ district office at 773-769-1717.

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) spent Monday afternoon harvesting vegetables to distribute to local college students who struggle with food insecurity with Elgin Community College students at the Advocate Sherman Natural Prairie and Community Garden.

"In the midst of this pandemic we have found people who have never struggled accessing food before needing to go to food pantries," Castro said. “It's amazing to see these students giving back and helping their classmates."

The community garden contains 54 garden beds and was created by the hospital in 2010 through a partnership with the University of Illinois Extension. It is available for hospital employees and community members to sustainably grow their own fruit, flowers and vegetables.

ECC students who work in the garden also run the ECC Spartan Pantry, which serves an average of 30 students per day. They post pictures of items they have harvested from the garden on social media and post signs around campus to let students know what they have available.

“I’m inspired by these young people who have such a passion for helping their fellow students while also learning the importance of gardening sustainable, healthy food,” Castro said. “Food insecurity is unfortunately a big problem, especially among young college students. Projects like this show how meaningful action can have a big impact on a community.”

About 13% of the population of the district Castro represents experience food insecurity at some point. ECC students can learn more about the Spartan Food Pantry on the ECC website. To learn more about accessing food in the Elgin area or to volunteer at or donate to a local pantry, visit the Food for Greater Elgin website.

SPRINGFIELD – Following a weekly phone conference with Montgomery County and its Community Risk Committee, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) released the following statement urging Montgomery County residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine as cases rise in the area:

“I’d strongly encourage those of you who haven’t already done so to go out and get vaccinated. Even though the state has entered Phase 5 of Illinois Restored, COVID-19 is still here. Many people are now being exposed to the more infectious variant, so we must work together to protect ourselves and our families.

“Getting vaccinated is the first step toward us getting back to our normal lives. It breaks my heart that so many lives were lost over this past year and we’re starting to see cases on the rise again in the Montgomery County area. This is still very real and very serious, so we must fight this disease together. I implore you to please go out and get vaccinated.”

HIGHLAND PARK – Wrapped in photos of Malala Yousafzai, Gandhi, Harriet Tubman, Simon Wiesenthal, Cesar Chavez and Rosa Parks, the Mobile Museum of Tolerance drives across the country with one mission: to teach communities how they can make a difference, much like the changes made by those historical figures.

State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is bringing the traveling museum to Highland Park next week to address the tide of hate people across the country face.

“We’ve seen an increase of hate toward minority communities in Illinois and across the country – and it must stop,” Morrison said. “We need to strive for open dialogue, mutual understanding and positive education within our communities to end this discrimination.”

As an advocate for peace building and conflict resolution, Morrison is partnering with the Mobile Museum of Tolerance to show people how they can combat ill feelings for certain groups. The Mobile Museum of Tolerance seeks to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds, empowering them to raise their voices and combat anti-Semitism, bullying, racism, hate and intolerance and to promote human dignity.

The traveling museum includes a theater with seating and workshops to teach people about a variety of topics, including the evils behind the Holocaust and the fight for civil rights that continues today.

Located in the parking lot of the Highland Park Recreation Center on Park Avenue West, people can visit the Mobile Museum of Tolerance free of charge to learn about topics ranging from the legacy of the Holocaust to the power of ordinary people to create positive change in the community. The bus is open from noon-6 p.m. each day of the week of July 26-30.

“The Mobile Museum of Tolerance is a reminder that each of us can make a difference if we simply work together and learn how to care for one another,” Morrison said. “No matter if you’re 5 or 85, there’s work you can do to become the best ally to your neighbors.”

People with questions about the event can contact Morrison’s office at 847-945-5200.

JOLIET – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) and State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) hosted a town hall in Joliet Tuesday evening to give local residents a legislative update and receive feedback on important issues in the community.

“I’m grateful to the community members who took the time to come speak with us and ask us the hard questions,” Connor said. “These discussions are not only my favorite part of being a legislator, they’re vital to the legislative process and ensuring that local needs and interests are brought to the table in Springfield.”

At the event, Senators Connor and Loughran Cappel updated residents on legislation that they worked on in the spring, and attendees had the opportunity to ask questions about issues that were important to them.

“It’s always a pleasure to get together with the people we represent and get to the heart of what matters most to them,” Loughran Cappel said. “I’m proud to be able to represent such a vibrant community, and I can’t stress how important their feedback is. The work I do every day, both here at home and down in Springfield, is shaped by the members of our community and the issues that are impacting them.”

Residents gathered at the Black Road Branch of the Joliet Public Library to bring their concerns to the senators. Those who were unable to attend can stay up to date with the senators and their legislative work by visiting their websites: SenatorConnor.com and SenatorLoughranCappel.com.