SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is taking action to remove an unconstitutional loyalty oath that candidates filing for public office may sign, stating that the candidate is not affiliated with communist activities.

“This dated Cold War scare tactic wastes taxpayer dollars and has an immeasurable cost to our natural resources,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Printing a separate page for the oath for every candidate who files in Illinois not only wastes paper, but the time and energy of the public servants who administer our elections.”

Senate Bill 2331 would remove the optional oath, which was found to be unconstitutional in 1972. The loyalty oath was enacted by State Rep. Clyde Choate (D-Anna) in 1951. In 1996, Choate admitted to the Chicago Tribune that his legislation was both “unnecessary and ineffective.”

The legislation awaits consideration in the Illinois Senate. Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Springfield Jan. 28.

SPRINGFIELD – Insurers would no longer be able to change eligibility or coverage during a policy contract period in managed care plans under a new measure introduced by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“If you sign a contract for an insurance plan, you should be able to count on the terms of that plan to stay the same,” said Murphy. “Continuous care means peace of mind.”

The legislation would require insurers to maintain in-network providers, covered benefits and drug formularies for the duration of the contract period for anyone on a state-regulated insurance plan, including managed care plans.

Murphy says that her office regularly receives complaints from constituents about the disjointed way managed care organizations (MCOs) administer coverage. When a MCO changes a patient’s coverage mid-contract, the patient may have to search for a different doctor or find a prescription that their new plan covers, disrupting care and causing patients hardship and uncertainty.

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) announced today that five local area school districts are set to receive over $40,000 in grants given out by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s School Library Grant program.

The grants, which are issued by the Illinois State Library, are meant to help public schools offer more library books and materials to students.

“I’m grateful to hear that these five districts will receive these grants,” Ellman said. “Libraries play an important role and are a wonderful resource for children of all ages. This additional funding will be helpful for these libraries to continue updating their materials for every student.”

School libraries can use these funds to acquire fiction and/or nonfiction books, educational CDs and DVDs, and library subscriptions to electronic resources, as well as to improve technology by purchasing new computers or improving Wi-Fi connectivity.

Schools receiving school library grants include:

• Naperville CUSD #203 - $12,001.50
• Benjamin School District #25 – $750.00
• Wheaton-Warrenville CUSD #200 - $9,174.75
• Winfield School District 34 - $750.00
• Indian Prairie CUSD # 204 – $19,908.75

Grant applications for Fiscal Year 2021 are set to be available in August of this year.

SPRINGFIELD – The Des Plaines, Elk Grove and Roselle Park Districts will receive over $950,000 to renovate and expand local parks, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced today.

The money comes from a grant that is part of the state’s Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The program is providing more than $29 million to support 85 park projects across the state.

“Improving and maintaining our parks is one of my top priorities,” said Murphy. “I fought for these projects by writing letters of support to IDNR, and I’m so excited to see ideas turn into reality.”

The OSLAD program began in 1987 and has invested $403.2 million in 1,729 local park projects. The program receives dedicated funding from a percentage of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax.

“The parks in in the 28th District are beautiful and accessible, and I hope these grants can help keep them that way,” said Murphy.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans with diabetes will pay less for their prescription insulin, thanks to a new law co-sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) that seeks to address soaring prescription drug costs.

“The cost of insulin has tripled in the past decade, and wages haven’t followed suit. Prescription drug companies shouldn’t be able to burden families with these sky-high costs,” said Fine, who was the measure’s chief co-sponsor in the Senate. “I’m thrilled to help provide some relief to Illinoisans with diabetes.”

For patients on state-regulated insurance plans, Public Act 101-625 caps the out-of-pocket cost of prescription insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply.

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, and 7.4 million Americans require prescription insulin every day to survive, according to the American Diabetes Association. However, the price of insulin has risen sharply in recent years, driving many patients to sacrifice other daily needs to pay for insulin or to ration their supply.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the signing of legislation to combat skyrocketing costs of prescription insulin, State Senator Dave Koehler offered the following statement:

“For far too long, people who need this medication to survive have been forced to make the impossible choice between food and housing or prescription medication,” Koehler (D-Peoria) said. “This life saving medication should be available at a cost that will not break the bank, and with this new law we’re making this a reality for Illinoisans.”

The price of insulin has drastically increased in the United States in the past several years. According to a 2016 analysis, the price of the drug tripled between 2002 and 2013.

1.3 million Illinoisans are living with diabetes and rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Price increases have left many of them struggling to pay for the drug, and at-risk of deadly consequences.

“This truly is common sense legislation, and I’m incredibly proud to have advocated on its behalf,” Koehler said.

SPRINGFIELD - The ability of pharmaceutical companies to line their pockets on the backs of Illinoisans with diabetes is coming to an end.

Surrounded by advocates and diabetes patients young and old, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Senate Bill 667, sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), making Illinois the second state in the nation to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $100 per month for all patients regardless of the supply they require. The cap applies to commercial insurance plans regulated by the state starting on Jan. 1, 2021.

“I’m deeply grateful for the brave individuals and families, some of whom are here today, who stepped up and challenged the status quo on behalf of millions of people who share their experience,” Manar said. “Their stories propelled Senate Bill 667 through the legislature with bipartisan support by evoking a shared belief that unites us all — the health and humanity of our neighbors isn’t a tool to be leveraged for exorbitant profit.”

Roughly 1.3 million Illinoisans are living with diabetes and rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Price increases have left many of them struggling to pay for the drug and at risk of deadly consequences.

CENTREVILLE – To increase the success of our youth, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is urging schools to submit an application to receive the Early Childhood Block Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education.

“Schools need to close their student’s achievement gap sooner than later and that starts with increasing the investment in our kids at a young age,” Belt said. “We are trying to improve access to quality early childhood programs and early childhood investors need to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Last year’s $543.7 million appropriation for early childhood was the largest in Illinois history.

Eligible applicants for the Early Childhood Block Grant include public school districts, university laboratory schools approved by Illinois State Board of Education, charter schools, area vocational centers, and public or private not-for-profit or for-profit entities with experience in providing educational, health, social, or child development services to young children and their families.

For more information visit www.isbe.net/ecbg. Applications are due to the Illinois State Board of Education no later than 4 p.m. on March 23.