SPRINGFIELD – To bolster affordable housing opportunities Downstate, $200,000 in revitalization grant funding has been made available to the City of Springfield through the Illinois Housing Development Authority Board.

State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) championed the program during negotiations for the Rebuild Illinois construction plan.

“Quality, affordable housing is a fundamental human need. We negotiated the landmark, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan because we recognized it’s a need that government has the ability to play a critical role in providing,” said Manar, who chairs the Senate Appropriations II Committee. “Repurposing vacant buildings not only makes it easier for struggling families to put a roof over their head, but it also gives Downstate municipalities that have seen their budgets devastated by COVID-19 the opportunity to add value to their communities.”

The grants where made available after the Illinois Housing Development Authority Board approved $10 million in funding for the initiative. Awarded under the new Strong Communities Program (SCP), the initiative will provide municipalities across the state with funding for the attainment, maintenance, restoration and demolition of abandoned residential properties.

The program, which began in August, awards grants of up to $250,000 to local governments to return vacant residential properties to productive use. A total of $30 million in grant funding will eventually be awarded through multiple funding rounds.

SCP Funding will reimburse municipalities for acquisition, rehabilitation, maintenance and other costs related to returning abandoned properties to a useable state. Program funds may also be used for demolition in cases where properties are beyond repair and negatively impacting neighboring residences.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – On Jan. 1, 2021, Illinois will become the second state to cap out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin, and State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is reaffirming her support for working families over pharmaceutical profits.

“Pharmaceutical corporations have profited off the lives of residents with diabetes for too long,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By capping the cost of life-saving insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply, Illinois is standing firmly on the side of hardworking families. Families should not be forced to choose between food or prescriptions.”

Nearly 30 million children and adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Individuals with the lifelong condition of Type 1 diabetes will on average spend $5,705 per year on prescription insulin alone.

The new law also requires the Departments of Insurance, Human Services, and Healthcare and Family Services to issue a joint "insulin pricing report" to the public that details findings on insulin pricing practices and recommendations to control and prevent overpricing of prescription insulin drugs.

The measure, Senate Bill 667, was signed into law in January 2020 and chief sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill).

SPRINGFIELD – Amid life-threatening increases in the cost of prescription insulin, Steve Stadelman, a State Senator (D-Rockford) and father to a son who has diabetes, is highlighting a new law taking effect Jan. 1. It will prevent pharmaceutical and insurance companies from continuing to excessively profit from Illinoisans suffering from diabetes.

Senate Bill 667, co-sponsored by Stadelman, made Illinois the second state in the nation to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $100 per month for all patients using a state regulated insurance plan, regardless of the supply they require. 

“I have seen the struggles people with diabetes face every day. It shouldn’t also be the cause of financial stress for their families,” Stadelman said. “Without adequate insurance, many people with diabetes can’t afford the insulin they need to survive, and rationing insulin will lead to further health problems and more expensive health care costs in the long term.”

The price of insulin has tripled between 2002 and 2013, which has led to many patients rationing their insulin and sacrificing other daily needs to pay for the medication.

These increases have left many of them struggling to pay for the drug and at risk of death without it.

The new law also requires the Departments of Insurance, Human Services, and Healthcare and Family Services to jointly issue an "insulin pricing report" to the public that details findings on insulin pricing practices and recommendations to control and prevent overpricing of prescription insulin drugs.

Stadelman, along with a number of other sponsors, worked with advocacy groups, including Insulin for All and AARP, to pass the measure with bipartisan support.

“Diabetes is a lifelong affliction for those who have it. It shouldn’t also be the cause of financial stress for their families,” Stadelman said. “This law will provide medical and financial relief to thousands in the Rockford area and across Illinois. I’m proud of our state’s commitment to lowering insulin costs.”

MARYVILLE – As the spring legislative session approaches, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is encouraging Metro East residents to share their ideas for potential new laws.

“The pandemic has posed countless new challenges to our families and communities over the past year,” Crowe said. “As an elected official, it’s my job to listen to residents to learn more about these challenges and develop smart, comprehensive solutions.”

Ahead of the beginning of the 102nd General Assembly, Crowe is encouraging residents to send in ideas for new bills that could help improve the state of Illinois. Bill ideas can be submitted via email to Crowe’s office using the contact form at SenatorCrowe.com.

“When we work together, we can make our community better,” Crowe said. “If there’s something about Illinois or the Metro East that you think could be improved, I encourage you to contact my office to tell us your ideas.”

Crowe represents the 56^th Senate District along the Illinois-Missouri border, known commonly as the Metro East, including parts of Jersey, Madison and St. Clair counties.

SPRINGFIELD – To bolster affordable housing opportunities across the state, $10 million in revitalization grant funding is available for municipalities through the Illinois Housing Development Authority Board.

Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus championed the program during negotiations for the Rebuild Illinois construction plan.

CHAMPAIGN – With the 2020 holiday season occurring during a global health pandemic, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is reminding residents to celebrate safely over the coming weeks.

“This has been a year of sacrifice to protect those we care about from COVID-19,” Bennett said. “We can’t let our guard down now with the holidays approaching. There is still time to downsize your plans so we can keep folks safe and healthy.”  

The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control still recommend avoiding large groups and staying at home as often as you can, and wearing masks and practicing social distancing if you must go out.

“We all have to do our part during this critical time, and the safest way to spend the holiday is with those in our immediate households,” Bennett said. “Please take this seriously so we can create new memories with all of our loved ones in the New Year.”

WOOD RIVER – To brighten the holiday season for families in need, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) and Wood River City Councilman Mike Anderson are partnering to host a food drive in an effort to replenish the stock at food banks in Wood River.

“Although the holidays are some of the most joyful times of the year, many families are struggling,” Crowe said. “While there are many ways to help our friends and neighbors through the pandemic, I strongly encourage anyone able to donate to this food drive.”

Nonperishable food items will be accepted starting Jan. 1, 2021 in donation boxes at two locations in Wood River:

• Crowe’s Office, 111 N. Wood River Ave. Ste. A
• Russell’s Corner Café, 84 E. Ferguson Ave.

“Thank you in advance to our community for helping each other in this time of uncertainty,” Anderson said. “This is a great opportunity to start the new year helping local people in need.”

For more information, call Mira at (618) 401-4165 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Munoz missing person law to take effect Jan. 1

SPRINGFIELD — Law enforcement agencies can face roadblocks with collecting DNA samples when trying to locate missing people, but now that process will be a bit easier thanks to a measure passed by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).

“DNA testing can help reunite missing people with their families,” Munoz said. “If a family member of yours is missing, you can now provide DNA samples to law enforcement to help find them.”

Read more.

New law by Glowiak Hilton to protect sexual assault survivors effective Jan. 1

OAKBROOK TERRACE — Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, Illinois survivors of sexual assault will be able to keep their home addresses confidential, thanks to legislation championed by State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs).

Glowiak Hilton sponsored House Bill 2818, which passed with bipartisan support, to empower the attorney general's office to help keep survivors’ home addresses private from their attackers and stalkers.

Read more.

Senate committee discusses expansion of U of I's rapid COVID-19 testing

SPRINGFIELD — The Senate Higher Education Committee held a hearing last week on the progress of SHIELD Illinois, the system which administers University of Illinois’ state-of-the-art rapid COVID-19 test, which uses saliva rather than the common nasal swab and is intended to be made available to all of the state’s public universities.

"Everyone at the U of I involved in developing and utilizing the saliva test deserves our thanks," said Senator Pat McGuire, chair of the Higher Education Committee. "Our next task is to implement the test at our eight other public universities so they can resume in-person learning next semester."

Read more.

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