Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – College students may soon see more affordable course materials under a law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to create a task force dedicated to making textbooks and other course materials more affordable.

“I’m committed to making higher education more affordable for Illinois students—finding ways to lower textbook costs is an important part of that fight,” Murphy said. “I am excited for the task force to begin work and find ways to lift the financial burden on college students and their families.”

The legislation creates the Course Materials Equitable Access and Affordability Study Task Force, which will research ways to save students money on course materials, examine digital learning materials in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and publish its findings online.

BOURBONNAIS – In an effort to be more accessible to community members, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) will be holding a Coffee, Conversation & Constituent Services event next week.

“I encourage folks to join me to talk about the issues facing the state over a cup of coffee,” Joyce said. “I look forward to meeting everyone that attends.”

Community members are welcome to stop by Starbucks in Bourbonnais to work with the senator’s staff and receive assistance with different services. Attendees can receive help with FOID cards applications, unemployment and much more.

With questions or for additional information, contact Joyce’s office at 708-756-0882 or visit SenatorPatrickJoyce.com.

WHO: State Senator Patrick Joyce
WHAT: Coffee, Conversation & Constituent Services
WHEN: Saturday, July 31 from 9 to 11 a.m.
WHERE: Starbucks, 532 Main St. NW, Bourbonnais

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Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes and Senator Laura Ellman co-hosted a free Mental Wellness Fair at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville this week. More than two dozen people attended to talk with a range of organizations providing resources for people with all issues and different needs.

“This past year was tough on many of us,” Holmes said. “It is essential that we help provide our community with information about how to address their mental health needs and find tools to make adjustments in their lives for the better.”

FRANKFORT – In an effort to promote local businesses and assist recovery efforts, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) launched an application process for small business tours within the 19^th District.

“While we continue to make steady progress in our state’s recovery efforts, we must continue to provide support to our local business community,” Hastings said. “It is my hope that through these tours we can highlight the businesses that make our communities so extraordinary and give business owners a welcome boost in traffic.”

Hastings will take this opportunity to tour restaurants, retail, and businesses that provide personal services, such as barber shops and salons. Applications are now open, and interested business owners can find the application here. Once the application is received, a member of Hastings’ team will respond with additional details.

Representatives of businesses with questions can call Hastings’ office at (815) 464-5431 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CHAMPAIGN – During National Park and Recreation Month, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is drawing attention to the many benefits of public parks and other natural spaces across Champaign and Vermilion Counties.

“National Parks and Recreation Month is a great time to highlight the beauty of our open spaces,” Bennett said. “We’re fortunate to have a variety of parks in our communities, and the summer months are a great time to visit them and explore.”

According to the National Recreation and Park Association, parks play an important role in maintaining quality of life in a community. Parks provide gathering places for members of a community to interact with each other, host public events and offer recreational programs.

Additionally, parks provide a public place where people can go to keep healthy and fit. A Penn State University study showed that the length of visits to parks has a connection with reductions in stress, lowered blood pressure, and perceived physical health.

Parks also provide an economic benefit to their communities. A review by Texas A&M University found that parks and open space raise nearby property values and increase revenue from tourism. Trees and other growth are also estimated to save cities money in environmental impacts and the effects of storms.

“July is a month to celebrate the wonderful role that parks play in our communities,” Bennett said. “I encourage folks to get active, get outside and visit our parks and facilities.”

Learn more about local parks and public events by visiting the park district websites for Champaign Park District, Kickapoo State Park, Urbana Park District and Vermilion County Conservation District.

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.