Villivalam hosts Ela Gandhi for fireside chat on justice

SKOKIE – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) hosted a fireside chat with a panel of activists that included Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mandali Buddha Prasad, former Deputy Speaker of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, and David Grengan, President of the Pietermaritzburg Gandhi Committee RSA, also sat on the panel. Villivalam and the panelists discussed Gandhi’s civil rights work, his commitment to nonviolent resistance and his dedication to bridging racial and religious divides.

Read more: Villivalam hosts Ela Gandhi for fireside chat on justice

Morrison reminds Illinoisans of ‘Red Flag’ law

SPRINGFIELD – Oftentimes following a mass shooting, friends, family members or neighbors mention they were worried about the person’s threatening behavior but didn’t know where to turn.

“Time and time again, we hear family members say they were worried that someone close to them would harm others, but they didn’t know who to tell until it was too late,” said State Senator Julie Morrison. “Previously, if a person did report disturbing behavior, there was not a law in place to allow law enforcement to step in.”

The far too common occurrence led the Deerfield Democrat to pass the Firearms Restraining Order Act – also known as the “Red Flag” law.

Read more: Morrison reminds Illinoisans of ‘Red Flag’ law

Governor expresses support for Manar’s measure to cap insulin costs

CHICAGO – Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) introduced a new measure to cap the skyrocketing costs of prescription insulin for Illinoisans with diabetes, which has garnered support from Governor JB Pritzker.

“Health care is a right, not a privilege,” said Pritzker. “As we work to address the high cost of prescription drugs that are burdening millions all across our state, this legislation is an essential step in the right direction toward fulfilling our promise to put state government back on the side of working families.”

Senate Bill 667 would cap patients’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply.

Over 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 climbed sharply in recent years, driving many patients to sacrifice other daily needs to pay for insulin or ration their supply.

Read more: Governor expresses support for Manar’s measure to cap insulin costs

Lightford hosts RALI CARES education trailer to combat opioid abuse

HILLSIDE – To continue efforts in combating the opioid crisis, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) partnered with the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative and the Code 3 Association to bring the RALI CARES educational trailer to Hillside last week.

In 2016, there were 1,947 overdose deaths due to opioids in Illinois, according to the Department of Public Health. From 1999 to 2016, opioid related overdose deaths in the state nearly quadrupled.

“The statistics on overdose deaths are glaring and they call for action against the opioid crisis that is currently affecting every part of our state,” Lightford said. “The RALI CARES trailer is a tool to help parents and guardians identify signs of drug usage, which will help save lives.”

Read more: Lightford hosts RALI CARES education trailer to combat opioid abuse