SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) is proud to see legislation expanding telehealth services in Illinois signed into law on Thursday. Cullerton was a co-sponsor of the legislation in the Senate.

“From initial consultations with a specialty doctor to mental health check-ins with a therapist, the use of telehealth throughout this pandemic has provided so many more opportunities for people to access health care,” Cullerton said. “I am so glad to see this legislation signed today, because without it, so many people would lose their ease of access to health care.”

Telehealth services were largely used during the COVID-19 pandemic due to emergency federal and state orders. This legislation will maintain and expand telehealth services by requiring insurance companies to utilize similar billing processes for both in-person and telehealth services.

During the pandemic, telehealth services reduced the number of missed appointments while increasing care plan adherence and improving chronic disease management. For those who are homebound or find it difficult to leave the house, telehealth services allow them to check in with their doctors without the stress of leaving their home. Additionally, telehealth services give people easier access to counseling for mental health.

“Telehealth will not only help patients but doctors as well,”  said State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey), the primary sponsor of the legislation. “Now appointments can be more efficient when in-person visits are not needed, and disproportionately impacted community members will have access to these services, which were not equitably provided throughout the pandemic.”

House Bill 3308 was signed by Governor JB Pritzker on Thursday. The law is effective immediately.

SKOKIE – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) commends Gov. JB Pritzker for signing the Teaching Equitable Asian American History Act, which will require public schools to highlight the contributions of Asian Americans and their culture throughout history.

“By passing the TEAACH Act, Illinois is acknowledging the importance of inclusion in our schools,” said Cullerton, who attended the bill-signing ceremony at Niles West High School in Skokie. “Students should see themselves reflected in their school curriculums, and that is exactly what this legislation will do for our Asian American students.”

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, hate crimes and attacks on Asian Americans rose across the country, prompting advocacy groups and organizers to develop and champion this legislation over the past year.

There are more than 100,000 Asian American K-12 students in Illinois, and the new law will allow these students and their peers to gain a better understanding of the contributions and cultures of the Asian American community in the United States.

“I am proud to have supported this landmark law,” said Cullerton, who was a co-sponsor of the measure. “By teaching the children in our state a more inclusive history, we will inspire a more equitable and open-minded future.”

The law, Public Act 102-0044, will go into effect during the 2022-2023 school year.

VILLA PARK – July is Park and Recreation Month, and State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) is highlighting the benefits of spending time outside and utilizing public spaces in the community.

“Parks play such an important role in creating a healthy community,” Cullerton said. “DuPage County offers a ton of parks and outdoor opportunities, so I encourage everyone to take some time while the weather is nice to explore what our community has to offer.”

According to the National Recreation and Park Association, parks play an important role in maintaining quality of life in a community. Parks provide gathering places for members of a community to interact with each other, host public events and offer recreational programs.

From hiking at state parks to enjoying a playground at a local park district, there is something for everyone to take advantage of during Park and Recreation Month.

“Parks and other recreational areas can promote physical fitness, increase the aesthetics of an area, and even bring in money to a community through tourism,” Cullerton said. “Keep an eye out for events through your local park districts for the best ways to get out and enjoy the month.”

Check out what DuPage County has to offer, or visit local park district websites like Bloomingdale, Bartlett, and Carol Stream to see the latest on what their facilities have going on.

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) is pleased to announce that Fitch Ratings Agency, which is one of the primary credit rating agencies, revised Illinois’ outlook on General Obligation Bonds from negative to positive. Moody’s Investor Service also recently bumped Illinois’ financial outlook.

“This change in rating is good news for Illinois taxpayers,” Cullerton said. “As Illinois heads to a more fiscally-responsible future, that means more resources will be freed up for residents of our state to get the resources they need.”

According to Fitch, Illinois’ recently passed Fiscal Year 2022 budget and the state’s action to pay back federal deficit borrowing have played a role in getting Illinois’ economy back on track. Additionally, the state has made these gains without sacrificing funding on pension payments and has even allowed the state to increase funding for K-12 education.

Moody’s Investor Service also upgraded their Illinois’ credit rating, further reflecting the state’s commitment to economic security.

“These adjusted ratings are proof that our state has been taking the necessary steps to get on the road to fiscal recovery,” Cullerton said. “Even with the financial hardships from the pandemic over the last year, Illinois has proven itself capable of taking actions needed to reach a brighter future.”

Fitch’s full analysis is available here.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) is happy to see the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, which passed the Senate Tuesday. The budget fully funds education and local governments, as well as making investments in important programs that will help Illinois’ communities return to normalcy.

“I am pleased to see our local governments will be fully funded, and roads, infrastructure and local parks will receive their full allotment,” Cullerton said. “Our towns, villages, and counties will have to be flexible to continue to meet the unique needs created by the pandemic.”

The budget includes the annual increase for education from the evidence-based formula, which will help school districts move back to on-campus learning and address the challenges the past year has presented.

To help the state get back to normalcy, Illinois will also receive a substantial amount from the federal American Rescue Plan to go toward small business recovery, community support programs, and the health care sector.

Additionally, the budget fully funds the annual pension payment, pays off loans to the federal government, and reduces the state’s bill backlog.

“It’s been a difficult year, but this budget addresses a lot of the problems that arose over the course of this pandemic,” Cullerton said. “From schools to small businesses, this budget will help communities get back on their feet and allow Illinois to move forward into a fiscally responsible future.”

The budget passed the Senate Tuesday.

SPRINGFIELD – To promote health care equity and reduce health care disparities in Illinois, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) is supporting a measure to expand telehealth services that will make it easier for patients to meet with their doctors.

“One thing the COVID-19 pandemic showed us is that there are so many things we can do remotely, including meeting with our doctors,” said Cullerton, who is a co-sponsor of the measure. “Expanding telehealth services will remove many barriers to health care access that many people face, like taking time off work or not being able to find transportation.”

Telehealth services were largely used during the COVID-19 pandemic due to emergency federal and state orders. House Bill 3308 will maintain and expand telehealth services by requiring insurance companies to utilize similar billing processes for both in-person and telehealth services.

SPRINGFIELD – To help combat mental health crises among students, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) is spearheading a measure that would require school districts and universities to provide contact information for mental health resources on the back of student ID cards.

“Young adults were particularly susceptible to mental health issues and high suicide rates even before the pandemic,” Cullerton said. “As students get back on campus, whether they’re in middle school or college, they should have easy access to resources like crisis lines.”

Between 2007 and 2018, suicide rates for people aged 10-24 increased by 57.4%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14. 

SPRINGFIELD – To combat social isolation for residents of long-term care facilities, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) passed a measure to require these facilities to help connect residents to loved ones when a disaster is declared.

“The COVID-19 pandemic put an unprecedented amount of stress on people, especially those in long-term care facilities,” Cullerton said. “A simple phone or video call could do a lot for these residents who are isolated from their loved ones.”

According to a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older report feeling lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated. COVID-19 has only exacerbated these statistics.