Senate Democrats lace up for cancer awareness
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SPRINGFIELD – In the final weeks of spring legislation session, the Illinois Senate Democrats sported sneakers in place of dress shoes to raise awareness of cancer prevention, screening and early detection.
“Today we are wearing suits and sneakers for cancer awareness. This day is to help raise visibility and funds to support the American Cancer Society’s work of supporting those with cancer,” said State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). “As chair of the Public Health Committee, I will continue to stand up and fight to improve our state’s health care for those who need it.”
According to the American Cancer Society, 42% of newly diagnosed cancers in the United States, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, are potentially avoidable. Screening can help prevent and detect some cancers early, when treatment is less invasive and more successful.
Peters champions change to earned sentence credit methods
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SPRINGFIELD – Time served in county jail could soon be included as part of the minimum 60-day sentence required to earn discretionary sentence credit, thanks to State Senator Robert Peters.
“The mission of the Department of Corrections includes promoting progressive change for incarcerated individuals,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Granting sentence credit to those who have participated in rehabilitation programs is not only in line with the mission of the Department of Corrections, but it reimagines the way we envision jails. Instead of correctional facilities, they should be treated as true rehabilitation centers.”
House Bill 3026 would change the Unified Code of Corrections to include time served in county jail as part of the minimum 60-day sentence required before the Director of Corrections may award discretionary earned sentence credit.
Read more: Peters champions change to earned sentence credit methods
Senate Democrats push measures to make health care more accessible
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SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus outlined their plans to make health care more accessible through proposals to cap the cost of EpiPens, make hearing aids free-of-charge, and help patients find the most cost effective avenues to care.
Epinephrine Auto-Injectors are the only medication that works on the entire body to combat anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction. However, since 2017, a global shortage of these devices has made this medication increasingly difficult to obtain. That’s why State Senator Mike Halpin is leading House Bill 3639 to limit the EpiPens to a maximum of $60 per twin-pack.
“This is a major victory for families struggling to afford this life-saving medication,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “With corporate profits at an all-time high, it’s time to say enough is enough. People’s lives shouldn’t depend on whether or not they can come up with $500.”
Read more: Senate Democrats push measures to make health care more accessible
Morrison measure to ban e-cigarettes indoors heads to the governor
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SPRINGFIELD – Taking another step toward making Illinois smoke free, State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to ban vaping inside public buildings.
“There’s absolutely no reason a person – from a pregnant woman to a young child – should be exposed to harmful e-cigarette products while in public,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It’s about time we set a clear standard that protects non-smokers and further de-normalizes tobacco use.”
In recent years, the use of e-cigarettes – like vapes – has increased tremendously, leading Morrison to pass House Bill 1540 to ban the use of e-cigarettes indoors. Her measure – which now heads to the governor – expands upon the Smoke Free Illinois Act, putting Illinois in line with 17 other states that have banned the use of e-cigarettes indoors.
Read more: Morrison measure to ban e-cigarettes indoors heads to the governor
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