CHICAGO – Senate Public Health Chair Patricia Van Pelt and Health and Human Services Chair Julie Morrison will lead a joint Senate committee hearing Monday morning to discuss policy recommendations to combat disparities in Illinois health care systems, including access to health care, behavioral health and diversity in health care/culturally competent health care.

“Over the past few weeks, we’ve heard about the many ways our state needs health care reform,” Van Pelt said. “I’m looking forward to this last panel, and to begin implementing some of the policies that top industry professionals have suggested. I am hopeful these suggested policies will help  bring equity and justice to our state’s health care system.”

“Stakeholders from around our state have weighed in with their concerns and challenges,” Morrison said. “This final subject matter hearing will highlight some of our best and brightest academics to provide policy recommendations to make our state’s health care resources accessible across demographic, racial, and geographic lines.”

Additional witnesses can submit written testimony online at www.ilga.gov.

To watch the virtual committee, visit https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp and click "Watch Live Virtual Committee Video." The link will be available at 9:30 a.m.

WHO: Senate Public Health Committee Chair Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) and Health and Human Services Committee Chair Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), and members of the committees

WHAT: A joint committee hearing on policy recommendations for disparities in health care

WHERE: The virtual hearing can be viewed here: https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp#. Blue Room Stream, a subscription-based service, will also stream the hearing.

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 9 at 9:30 a.m.

Saying goodbye

SPRINGFIELD — Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement after former Senator Maggie Crotty passed away:

"I was saddened to learn of the passing of Maggie Crotty, someone with whom I dearly loved working.

"Maggie and I came into the Senate at the same time. She had a rare combination of tenacity and toughness mixed with a kind and gentle demeanor. She would greet everyone with a smile and a hug, but she could size up a huckster a mile away. She never failed to stand up for the causes that were important to her."

Read more.

Stadelman announces completion of I-39 and other major road projects

ROCKFORD — State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is pleased to report that the Illinois Department of Transportation announced Friday that I-39 resurfacing and two other major projects that will enhance safety while helping to grow the regional economy are wrapping up.

The projects represent a total investment of more than $55 million in the region.

“These projects helped create jobs and set the Rockford region up for economic opportunity for years to come,” Stadelman said. “Maintaining our roads and bridges is vitally important.”

Read more.

Black Caucus Roundup for week of Nov. 2

SPRINGFIELD — As the scheduled fall veto session quickly approaches, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus continues to host a number of hearings in preparation of passing its legislative agenda to combat systemic racism.

The Senate Education and Higher Education Committees held a joint hearing Wednesday to focus on efforts to prepare Illinois youth to enter the workforce. The committee touched on career and technical education (CTE) programs, the Illinois Pathways program, and the Illinois Postsecondary Workforce Readiness Act.

Read more.

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EAST ST. LOUIS – In order to remove the growing concerns of procedural fairness in all industries for people of color, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) says equity in food access, agriculture, cannabis and technology needs to further addressed. 

“Accessing healthy food is still a challenge for many families, particularly those living in low-income neighborhoods, communities of color and rural areas,” Belt said. “Food insecurity has heavily increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and the issue needs to be further addressed.” 

On Friday, the Senate Executive, Commerce and Economic Development, and Agriculture Committees held a joint hearing on equity in food access, agriculture, cannabis and technology. The discussion focused on increasing access to healthier foods in food deserts, threats to agricultural lands, equity in rural, suburban and urban farming, and equity in the cannabis industry.

As the scheduled fall veto session quickly approaches, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus continues to host a number of hearings in preparation of passing its legislative agenda to combat systemic racism.

The Senate Education and Higher Education Committees held a joint hearing Wednesday to focus on efforts to prepare Illinois youth to enter the workforce. The committee touched on career and technical education (CTE) programs, the Illinois Pathways program, and the Illinois Postsecondary Workforce Readiness Act.

“With few or no work experience programs available in their communities, students can’t build the job readiness skills they’ll need to excel in the workforce after graduation,” said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Chicago). “CTE programs are an essential part of preparing students for high-demand, skilled careers.”

DANVILLE – As testing continues to be a priority in stopping the spread of COVID-19, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced the Illinois Department of Public Health will operate a temporary COVID-19 testing site in Danville this weekend.

“Vermilion County’s COVID-19 numbers are going in the wrong direction – we need to do our part,” Bennett said. “It’s essential that we continue to test for this virus to understand its presence in our community and the rest of the state.”

The testing site will be available Friday through Sunday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the north parking lot of Danville Area Community College, located at 200 S. College St.

CHICAGO – The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus held a joint hearing Friday to discuss the need for cultural competency among professionals in the health care industry, where State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) advocated for increased implicit bias training and anti-racist practices to ensure equity for patients of color.

“Structural racism must be examined in every facet of the health care system,” Hunter said. “It’s crucial that Black and Brown patients have access to health professionals that look like them, or at the very least, understand their circumstances. We need more diversity in the industry, with professionals who understand the inequities Black and Brown patients face, especially in terms of maternal mortality.”

DES PLAINES – The open enrollment period is now underway for health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace, and to help Illinoisans navigate their coverage options, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is hosting a live Q&A with Get Covered Illinois on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

“Especially during a pandemic, it’s critical to have a dependable health insurance plan that fits your needs,” Murphy said. “Get Covered Illinois offers helpful tools and one-on-one assistance to help make the enrollment process as smooth as possible.”

CHICAGO – In a continuing push to form a legislative agenda ahead of the upcoming fall veto session, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus convened lawmakers from both chambers of the General Assembly to discuss criminal justice reform during a joint Senate hearing on Thursday.

“You cannot quantify the loss of trust between communities and law enforcement,” State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago). “The inability to have a relationship between communities that is transparent, strong and built on trust is not a current reality, but it should be. These discussions are crucial to discover and implement meaningful solutions to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the people that they serve.”