Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – To help families shop more safely during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, SNAP recipients in Illinois will be able to use their benefits to purchase groceries online beginning June 2, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced Thursday.

“Being able to order groceries online is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this new function will allow SNAP recipients to shop safely and conveniently for years to come,” said Fine. “I’m glad to see our benefits programs responding not only to current events, but to the changing times.”

GLENVIEW – To protect employees and consumers from the spread of COVID-19 as businesses begin reopening, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is calling attention to new guidelines to help employers ensure their workplaces and businesses are safe.

“As businesses across the state begin to reopen, it’s important that people are able to work and shop without putting their health and safety at risk,” said Fine. “By following these guidelines, employers can be certain they’re operating responsibly.”

At the end of April, Gov. Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-32 to provide specific regulations for businesses and workplaces. All employers with workers physically reporting to a worksite must post this guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Office of the Illinois Attorney General regarding workplace safety during the COVID-19 emergency. 

As businesses begin to reopen, employers will be required to provide face masks for employees who are unable to adhere to social distancing requirements. Businesses must also observe other measures, like limiting occupancy and staggering shifts to ensure workers can maintain six feet of social distancing.

Other requirements and guidelines for employers to help limit the spread of COVID-19 can be found in this FAQ, issued by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

If your place of work is not adhering to these new guidelines, please report violations to a certified local health department or IDPH. The Office of the Illinois Attorney General is also accepting complaints through their Workplace Rights Bureau at 844-740-5076 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Up-to-date information and resources related to the status of COVID-19 in Illinois can be found at coronavirus.illinois.gov. Fine’s office is currently closed, but her staff is working remotely and responding to calls and emails. With questions or concerns, call 847-998-1717 or visit senatorfine.com/contact.

GLENVIEW – To secure adequate federal funding for local roads, schools, hospitals and more, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) urged North Shore residents to fill out the 2020 Census.

“Now more than ever, many of us are relying on local resources—from health departments to food banks—to keep us safe, healthy and informed,” said Fine. “Responding to the census is the best way to make sure our community continues to receive the support it needs from the federal government.”

Response rates for the 2020 Census are below target levels. In 2010, 80.3% of Glenview residents responded to the census, but only 73.6% of residents have responded so far in 2020.

Fine also pointed out that when more individuals respond to the census on their own, fewer census workers must visit households in-person. During the COVID-19 pandemic, that means less risk to the health of census workers and their families.

The fastest way to respond to the census is by filling it out online at my2020census.gov. However, individuals can also respond over the phone or by filling out the form they receive in the mail.

“If you’ve already completed the census, call a family member or neighbor to make sure they’ve been counted, too,” said Fine. “Now is the time to come together to ensure our community is accurately represented.”

Individuals can find additional information about the census at 2020census.gov. To see local responses rates across Illinois and the entire nation, visit www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us.

GLENVIEW – A new, free-of-charge emotional support text line, Call4Calm, is now available for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced today.

“The COVID-19 outbreak has been an overwhelming time for many Illinoisans, and some feel like they are struggling alone,” said Fine. “I hope Call4Calm shows these people they are not alone— there is help.”

Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division launched the hotline, which connects Illinoisans with the mental health services and other support systems they need.

SPRINGFIELD – To make it easier for families of individuals with disabilities to provide for their children’s futures, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) has sponsored legislation that would empower ABLE account holders to protect their assets and designate a beneficiary.

The ABLE Program allows people with disabilities to save for certain expenses without losing their eligibility for programs like SSI and Medicaid. Assets from the account can be used for expenses like education, housing, transportation and health care. Fine wants to make it easier for account holders to name an account beneficiary without legal aid.

“Families who are caring for someone with a disability shouldn’t have to pay a private attorney to protect their hard-earned savings,” said Fine. “We need to make sure that protections are in place for individuals with disabilities who come from low- or middle-income backgrounds.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans would have faster and easier access to mental health services under a bill sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

The measure requires that insurers provide timely access to mental health treatment at a facility within a reasonable distance from the patient. The requirements would apply to services for mental, emotional, nervous and substance use disorders and conditions.

“If you had a broken arm, your insurer wouldn’t make you wait weeks or drive for hours to see a doctor,” said Fine. “Why should mental health be treated any differently?”

The bill would place limits on how long a person must wait to see a mental health provider, as well as the distance a person must travel for treatment.

In Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties, those seeking outpatient mental health treatment would not have to travel longer than 30 minutes or 30 miles to their provider. In other counties, the limit increases to 60 minutes or 60 miles.

In all parts of the state, no one would have to wait more than 10 business days between requesting an appointment and being seen.

“I introduced this legislation to improve access to treatment for mental health,” said Fine. “The exact time and distance limits in the bill are still under negotiation, but I’m excited to work with my fellow lawmakers to make services more easily available.”

Senate Bill 2740 passed the Senate Insurance Committee and now heads to the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – Family members of people serving time would be ensured fair treatment by the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

“I’ve had the opportunity to hear from so many parents, siblings, children and friends of incarcerated individuals on this issue. When they expect a visit and get turned away, it can be heartbreaking,” said Fine. “We should be encouraging people to maintain connections with family and friends, which will improve their lives during and after incarceration.”

The measure requires IDOC to appoint a point-of-contact person to receive suggestions, complaints and other comments from visitors to prison facilities, and from other members of the public.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans with diabetes will pay less for their prescription insulin, thanks to a new law co-sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) that seeks to address soaring prescription drug costs.

“The cost of insulin has tripled in the past decade, and wages haven’t followed suit. Prescription drug companies shouldn’t be able to burden families with these sky-high costs,” said Fine, who was the measure’s chief co-sponsor in the Senate. “I’m thrilled to help provide some relief to Illinoisans with diabetes.”

For patients on state-regulated insurance plans, Public Act 101-625 caps the out-of-pocket cost of prescription insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply.

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