SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is highlighting a funding opportunity that will help local airports expand and increase economic development through the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction program.

“I’m thrilled the state is investing in our local airports,” Stadelman said. “This funding would help airports like Chicago Rockford expand while also boosting our local economy.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the Rebuild Illinois program will provide $94 million in funding to improve public airports throughout the state. Through a competitive grant process, airports can submit project proposals for updates, improvements, and extensions of their facilities.

Airports must be for public use and included in the Illinois Aviation System Plan to be eligible for the funding. Applications are due June 14 to be eligible for grants of up to $25 million.

Application information is available by visiting IDOT’s Airport Improvement Program page. Awards are anticipated to be announced later this year.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the release of the second Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report by the Illinois Department of Public Health, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) has spearheaded a measure to reduce maternal mortality and support new mothers – especially Black mothers – throughout the state.

“The vast majority of postpartum deaths are preventable, so we need to be doing all we can to minimize those deaths,” said Castro, who has been an ongoing advocate for reducing postpartum morbidity. “This legislation will help all pregnant and postpartum mothers, but it will also work to reduce the racial disparities in maternal mortality.”

According to Illinois Department of Public Health, more than four out of five pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related conditions than white women. Mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, are the leading cause of pregnancy-related death.

Senate Bill 967 would provide support for pregnant and new mothers for pregnancy-related conditions, including mental health and substance use disorders by requiring private insurance plans to cover postpartum complications up to one year after delivery among other requirements. It would also require hospitals to have a written policy on the management of the leading causes of maternal mortality, which would include guidance from IDPH on best practices in dealing with pregnancy and postpartum complications. Additionally, it would require Medicaid to cover multiple postpartum visits to encourage new mothers to attend.

“This year, Illinois became the first state to expand Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers,” Castro said. “This legislation would do even more to protect and support new mothers, especially those who are disproportionately impacted by inequities in the health care system.”    

SB 967 passed the Senate Health Committee and now moves to the floor for a full vote.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is highlighting an opportunity for area airports to apply for funding for improvement projects through the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction program.

“Even though our state serves as a hub for transit, our airports have been in a tough spot as a result of the pandemic,” Bennett said. “With this funding, airports in Central Illinois and across the state will have the opportunity to make critical updates that will improve safety for all passengers. I invite all of our local airports to apply for funding as soon as possible.”

Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the Rebuild Illinois program will provide $94 million in funding to improve public airports throughout the state. Through a competitive grant process, airports may submit project proposals for updates, improvements, and extensions of their facilities.

Airports must be for public use and included in the Illinois Aviation System Plan to be eligible for the funding. Applications are due June 14 to be eligible for grants of up to $25 million.

Airports in the Champaign area that are eligible to apply for the funding include University of Illinois Willard Airport and Rantoul National Aviation Center (Frank Elliott Field).

Application information is available by visiting IDOT’s Airport Improvement Program page. Awards are anticipated to be announced later this year.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to permanently establish the Call4Calm text line to support Illinois residents' mental health needs passed committee Tuesday, falling in line with Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Call4Calm was a great initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, and can still benefit those who struggle with their mental health even after this pandemic is over,” Van Pelt said. “Mental health outcomes are more concerning than ever before due to the public health crisis, and this text line is an essential outlet.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that would require the Illinois Department of Transportation to provide funding to create additional infrastructure in urban areas passed committee on Tuesday.

The measure would require IDOT to fully fund all aspects of construction projects on state roadways, including infrastructure for pedestrians walking and bicycling within one mile of an urban area. Additionally, the measure requires IDOT to complete any of these unfinished infrastructure projects in municipalities with a population of 1,000 or more.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt that would require homeless shelters to prioritize the purchase of feminine hygiene products for all who need them passed committee on Tuesday.

“There is no excuse for depriving any individual the right to basic hygiene,” Belt said. “Not providing for such an essential need to some of our most vulnerable citizens is shameful and should no longer happen in Illinois.”

The measure would prioritize providing feminine hygiene products at no cost at all homeless shelters to people who need them.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is leading an initiative to expand the Alternative Health Care Delivery Demonstration Program to include birthing centers in more areas of the state with disparate health outcomes for Black mothers.

“On average, 75 women die every year while pregnant or within a year of pregnancy, -- a tragic statistic,” Van Pelt said. “It is even more tragic to know that four out of five pregnancy-related deaths could have been preventable. We must do everything we can to combat the issues of maternal mortality, which include increasing birthing centers.”

House Bill 738 expands the available licenses for birthing centers under the Alternative Health Care Delivery Demonstration Program from 10 to 17.

SPRINGFIELD – After seeing the stress social isolation put on residents of long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) has sponsored a measure to require long-term care facilities to help residents have daily communication with their family when a disaster is declared. 

“I’m sure we all felt the effects of isolation during this pandemic, but for people in long-term care facilities, those feelings were even more intense,” Cullerton said. “If anything like this happens again, ensuring residents of these homes have a connection to their loved ones must be a priority.”

According to a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older report feeling lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated. COVID-19 has only exacerbated these statistics.

House Bill 3147 would require long-term care facilities to make every reasonable effort to facilitate at least one phone or video call between a resident and a family member each day during a disaster declared by the governor, unless doing so could pose a danger to residents or staff, or redirects resources away from direct resident care and protection.

The measure also requires hospitals to develop a contact policy to encourage patients to engage with family members during a pandemic or public health emergency.

The measure passed the Senate Health Committee and now moves to the floor for further consideration.