Senator Fine and Representative LaPointe respond to DHS plan to improve Choate Mental Health Center

SPRINGFIELD – This morning, the Illinois Department of Human Services and Governor Pritzker announced their comprehensive plan to improve care at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center. Following this announcement, State Senator Laura Fine and State Representative Lindsay LaPointe, chairs of the Mental Health Committees in the Senate and House respectively, responded to this plan.

“I am encouraged by the proposed changes from DHS. The safety of mental and behavioral health patients needs to be the top priority,” said Senator Fine. “I applaud DHS and the Governor for announcing a plan that prioritizes patients. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with them and other partners to best support patients at Choate and their caregivers.” 

Equip for Equality, the independent, federally mandated Protection and Advocacy organization; the IDHS Inspector General; and the Illinois State Police have all been reviewing abuse and neglect allegations at Choate and making constructive recommendations to the state about the center’s future. To address the issues found, DHS has proposed a comprehensive plan including:

• Repurposing the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center (“Choate”) over three years in partnership with the SIU School of Medicine, and   
• Implementing new safety enhancements at Choate and across all state-operated developmental centers including appointing a chief resident safety officer, and
• Expanding support for families and individuals to pursue opportunities for community-based living while continuing to invest in provider capacity.

Read more: Senator Fine and Representative LaPointe respond to DHS plan to improve Choate Mental Health Center

Murphy bill seeks to make insulin more affordable

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure that Illinoisans in need of insulin have affordable access to the life-saving medicine, State Senator Laura Murphy has introduced a measure to cap its price at $35. 

“No Illinois family should have to go into debt or skip meals to afford life-saving medications,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “We have made great strides in Illinois to make insulin more affordable, but we will not stop our work until every person who needs this medication has continuous access to it.”

In addition to capping out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 per month, Murphy’s measure would also outline a plan to ensure that residents in urgent need of insulin are able to receive it in a timely manner.

Read more: Murphy bill seeks to make insulin more affordable

Feigenholtz champions Electric Vehicle Charging Act

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to combat climate change, reduce vehicle emissions and significantly expand the market for electric vehicles, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is championing a measure to make EV-capable charging available at residential buildings in Illinois.

“Illinois is on the cutting edge of electric vehicle manufacturing, incentives and infrastructure,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “The biggest challenge for this industry and for people who are in the market to purchase electric vehicles is the availability of charging stations. This legislation will expand EV access to charging stations in new buildings and accelerate our path forward in this emerging industry.”

The bill would require new construction of single-family homes and multi-unit residential buildings to include basic infrastructure for electric vehicle charging. It does not require the installation of any actual EV chargers or the wiring for a charger. It also lays out rights and obligations under the requirements to allow flexibility for tenants and condo unit owners seeking to install an EV charger on their own, while granting property owners the ability to recoup costs when an EV charger is installed at the request of a tenant or unit owner.

Read more: Feigenholtz champions Electric Vehicle Charging Act

Villa progresses a protective measure against elder abuse

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would amend the Adult Protective Services Act to include that any person may report information about a suspicious death of an older adult. This legislation passed out of the Senate Public Health Committee Tuesday. 

“According to the World Health Organization, around one in six people 60 years and older experience some form of abuse in community settings,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “However, a lot of these cases of abuse go unreported. This legislation will help people feel like they can speak more freely when they witness something wrong.”

Current law allows any person who suspects abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of an eligible adult to make a report to the Department of Aging. This legislation would add a suspicious death to the list of reportable items. If the person making the report is a mandated reporter, they are required to testify in any subsequent administrative hearings. It also provides that a probate court can access records for a confidential inspection of the records.

Read more: Villa progresses a protective measure against elder abuse