Caucus News

GLENVIEW – To make COVID-19 testing more convenient and accessible for residents of the North Shore, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) partnered with other local lawmakers and the Glenview Park District to open a new testing site at Flick Park Field House, located at 3600 Glenview Rd. in Glenview, starting Monday, Jan. 4.

“Testing is a critical tool in the fight against the pandemic, but many residents don’t have the time or ability to drive long distances to a testing site,” said Senator Fine. “I’m thrilled to be able to help provide this service to the people of the North Shore community, and I encourage anyone who has been exposed or who’s feeling under the weather to get tested.”

Senator Fine partnered with State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview), State Representative Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton, Congressman Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) to bring the testing site to the area.

Testing services are provided by Northshore Clinical Labs and are available to all at no out-of-pocket cost. Those who are insured must bring their insurance card, but testing is also available to uninsured Illinoisans with an ID. The site is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Testing is available by appointment only.

Learn more and schedule an appointment at http://bit.ly/flickparkcovid. With questions, contact Northshore Clinical Labs at (773) 570-6510 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Northshore Clinical Labs is not associated with NorthShore University HealthSystem.

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CAPTION: State Senator Laura Fine (right) and State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz cut the ribbon on a new COVID-19 testing site at Flick Park Field House in Glenview.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law takes effect Jan 1, 2021 to prevent pharmaceutical and insurance companies from continuing to excessively profit off Illinoisans who manage their diabetes with insulin.

Co-sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), Senate Bill 667 makes 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. 

“This law challenges corporate greed and ensures people with diabetes don’t pay unfair prices for a medication they cannot live without,” Holmes said. “I am ready to work with my colleagues in the upcoming legislative session to continue to reform prescription drug pricing and reduce patients’ out-of-pocket costs.” 

The cap applies to commercial insurance plans regulated by the state and increases annually based on data from the Department of Insurance, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The data will include findings on insulin pricing practices and recommendations to control and prevent overpricing of prescription insulin drugs.

Holmes worked alongside bill sponsor State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), and other advocacy groups to build a grassroots advocacy campaign to drive this historic legislation through the General Assembly.

DES PLAINES – To put a stop to price gouging and help more Illinoisans afford life-saving prescription medications, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) co-sponsored a new law that will cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply starting Jan. 1, 2021 for patients on state regulated insurance plans.

“No Illinois family should have to go into debt or skip meals to afford life-saving medications,” said Murphy. “I’m glad to see costs lowered for millions of Illinoisans with diabetes, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the General Assembly to ensure that affordable prescription drugs are available to all.”

On Jan. 1, Illinois will become 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.

Over 34 million Americans have diabetes, including 1.3 million Illinoisans, who rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Between 2009 and 2017, the price of insulin nearly tripled, leaving many patients 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.

“This law is only the first step in a larger effort to rein in Big Pharma and curb corporate greed,” said Murphy. “It’s past time to put people’s health ahead of financial gain.”

Senate Bill 667, chief sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), passed the General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support in November 2019 and was signed into law in January 2020.

MARYVILLE – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has announced the recipients of Strong Communities Program (SCP) grants, and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is celebrating the City of Alton’s $161,000 award.

“By providing local governments with assistance to restore abandoned lots and damaged properties, the Strong Communities Program supports leaders in strategically revitalizing their communities,” Crowe said. “The program makes smart investments in communities while our state responds to the fiscal challenges of the pandemic.”

Created in August 2020, SCP provides grants of up to $250,000 to local government agencies to return vacant residential properties to productive and taxable use. To support neighboring residencies from harmful effects of blighted properties, grants can also be used to reimburse municipalities for acquisition, rehabilitation, landscaping maintenance and demolition if necessary.

The City of Alton is one of 68 local governments and land bank authorities to receive funding through SCP.

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the bipartisan, bicameral Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission met Tuesday to discuss the commission’s accomplishments and future goals during its final meeting of 2020.

“The RICC was created to help shape the state’s economic recovery plans after the COVID-19 crisis,” said State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), the Senate co-chair of the commission. “We’ve made progress in adapting our recovery strategy to the needs of people, businesses and communities across the state, but there’s much more work to be done."

SPRINGFIELD – A new law that will prevent pharmaceutical and insurance companies from continuing to excessively profit from Illinoisans suffering from diabetes takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.

Senate Bill 667, pushed by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign), 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. 

“This new law stands up to corporate greed and ensures diabetics are no longer paying exploitative prices for a medication they cannot live without,” Bennett said. “I am eager to work with my colleagues in the upcoming legislative session to continue the fight to reform prescription drug pricing and reduce patients’ out-of-pocket costs.” 

The cap applies to commercial insurance plans regulated by the state and increases annually based on data from the Department of Insurance, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The data will include findings on insulin pricing practices and recommendations to control and prevent overpricing of prescription insulin drugs.

Bennett worked alongside the lead sponsor of the legislation, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), as well as advocacy groups to build a grassroots advocacy campaign to drive this historic legislation through the General Assembly.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) and Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced a new law will require pharmaceutical and insurance companies to cap insulin prices for Illinois residents with diabetes starting Jan. 1, 2021.

“For years, pharmaceutical companies took advantage of the millions of Illinois residents who depend on insulin to live,” Belt (D-Centreville) said. “Because of the passage of Senate Bill 667, Illinois residents who need insulin will no longer be subjected to price gouging and other predatory practices.”

Senate Bill 667 will cap patients’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply and 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.

According to the American Diabetes Association, over 30 million Americans have diabetes, and approximately 7.4 million Americans depend on insulin. Around 1.3 million Illinois residents live with diabetes and rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Data has shown that insulin prices tripled between 2002 and 2013, which has led many patients to ration their insulin and sacrifice other daily needs to pay for insulin.

“Over the years, greedy drug companies have lined their pockets at the expense of people with diabetes, who rely on insulin for survival," Crowe said. “By capping the cost of insulin, Illinois is standing firmly with working families to put lives over profits.”

Illinois is 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.

GLENVIEW – To help Illinoisans with diabetes afford life-saving medications, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) chief co-sponsored a new law that will cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply starting Jan. 1, 2021 for patients on a state regulated insurance plan.

“For too long, people with diabetes have had to decide between purchasing food or life-saving medication,” said Senator Fine. “Especially when so many families are facing economic hardship, good health shouldn’t be a luxury—it’s a right.”

On Jan. 1, Illinois will become 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.SB667

Over 34 million Americans have diabetes, including 1.3 million Illinoisans, who rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Between 2009 and 2017, the price of insulin nearly tripled, leaving many patients 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.

Senate Bill 667 passed the General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support in November 2019 and was signed into law in January 2020.