Sen. Glowiak Hilton: Check and replace smoke detector batteries while updating clocks for daylight saving

OAKBROOK TERRACE – With daylight saving time coming to an end this weekend, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is reminding households to also check and change their smoke detector batteries as needed.

“It’s time to fall back, and daylight saving also serves as an important reminder to make sure your smoke detectors are working,” said Senator Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This is a helpful habit to ensure your household is safe.”

If you find an alarm that is not working or is expired, replace the alarm immediately with a new 10-year sealed battery alarm. It’s also a great time to review your family’s fire escape plan.

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Sen. Johnson recognized by YouthBuild Lake County for her efforts to fund youth programs

BUFFALO GROVE – In her efforts to support continued education and youth programs, State Senator Adriane Johnson was recently honored alongside State Rep. Rita Mayfield in advocating more than $2 million in grant funding for two YouthBuild Lake County programs.

YouthBuild Lake County in North Chicago and Youth Conservation Corps in Waukegan provide programs to assist youth ages 17-24 in further developing education and trade skills. The programs offer High School diploma attainment, career readiness and life skills support, and construction training.

“While the construction workforce expands in Illinois, it is imperative that diversity and representation is included in the process,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “I want women and people of color to be encouraged to step into this career path knowing that YouthBuild is dedicated to ensuring that they have the tools they need to succeed.”

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Turner calls on governor to defend right to accessible, affordable healthcare

SPRINGFIELD – To alleviate obstacles to affordable and accessible healthcare in Central Illinois, State Senator Doris Turner is calling on the governor’s office to use its statutory authority to defend people’s right to accessible and affordable care.

About a year ago, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois cut Springfield Clinic from its network, devastating more than 55,000 Blue Cross customers, many who are still struggling to find new doctors or file continuity of care requests with Blue Cross.

“Residents in the Springfield area have the right to affordable and accessible healthcare,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “A year later, I am still hearing from families, local businesses and individuals that matters are getting worse. It appears like the Blue Cross providers directory is out of date and that they are a significantly inadequate provider network to meet the health needs of Central Illinois residents.”

Turner sent a letter to the governor’s office asking for them to find a remedy to take quick action regarding BCBSIL’s provider directory and failure to meet network adequacy regulations or prohibit the company from selling inadequate plans for the 2023 plan year.

Read more: Turner calls on governor to defend right to accessible, affordable healthcare

Van Pelt condemns shooting in Garfield Park, sympathizes with victims

GARFIELD PARK – On Halloween night, a tragic drive-by shooting in Garfield Park injured 14 people, including three children, in addition to a woman who was hit by the driver while trying to escape the shooting. In response, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:

“I mourn with my community after yet another senseless shooting. It pains me that on Halloween night, a group of peaceful individuals could not even hold a vigil for their late loved one without fearing for their own safety.

“We cannot continue to live in a state of perpetual fear. It is extremely disheartening and exhausting to see shooting after shooting. We are fighting for the soul of our city. How heartless must you be to shoot a child? To shoot up a vigil?

“I remain committed to ending the gun violence epidemic. I am meeting with local officials to see what support we can provide to the community so that we can reduce the chances of this tragic situation from happening again.”