Aquino law expands support for safety net hospitals

SPRINGFIELD – To protect the stability of safety net hospitals, State Senator Omar Aquino championed a new law that will generate additional revenue for hospitals across the state.

"As a patient of Humboldt Park Health, a designated safety net hospital, and the representative of two additional safety nets, I have experienced firsthand the contributions of these hospitals to the integrity of our communities by ensuring the health of our neighbors,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “With the updates to the Hospital Assessment Program, we are ensuring that hospitals continue to provide critical services to our most vulnerable."

The Illinois Hospital Assessment Program was established in 2003 to help ensure low-income patients have access to health care services. The program was extended and expanded in 2022 to improve cash-flow predictability for hospitals, tying greater funding to higher Medicaid utilization. The program is funded through a special tax on Illinois hospitals, which is then matched by federal funds and redistributed to hospitals based on the volume of the Medicaid patients they serve and their level of care.

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Morrison law strengthens due process for FOID card holders

SPRINGFIELD — A new law championed by State Senator Julie Morrison will create an expedited review process for individuals challenging the revocation of their FOID card due to being deemed a “clear and present danger.”

“This law grants everyone the opportunity for a timely review if they believe their determination is inaccurate,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “With this change, we are improving transparency in the process and helping to ensure decisions are made fairly.”

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Murphy law allows access to breakthrough Alzheimer’s treatments

SPRINGFIELD – Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease will soon be more accessible thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Laura Murphy.

“If individuals receive treatment in time, it can slow the progression of this terrible disease,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “When a family member has Alzheimer’s, every moment counts, so people shouldn’t be denied treatments that are effective.”

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Senate Democrats praise new ‘Surplus to Success’ program in Fiscal Year 2026 budget

SPRINGFIELD – Following the passage of the state’s seventh balanced budget, Senate Democrats highlighted a historic $500 million investment in site readiness to revitalize vacant sites in the state to attract new business and job opportunities.

The site readiness initiative includes two major components:

• $300 million for the “Surplus to Success” program led by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, which will prepare idle state-owned properties for private development.
• $200 million for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to expand its existing Site Readiness programs and fund large-scale business attraction efforts.

Read more: Senate Democrats praise new ‘Surplus to Success’ program in Fiscal Year 2026 budget