CHICAGO – Thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Celina Villanueva, undocumented residents 42 and older will now have access to Medicaid coverage. The new law that went into effect on July 1 expands the age group of individuals who qualify for Medicaid in the state.

“Everyone, regardless of citizenship status or income, deserves access to health care,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “The expansion of Medicaid benefits to this group of people is a substantial step in achieving true equity in our health care system in Illinois.”

Starting July 1, undocumented immigrant adults and certain legal permanent residents aged 42 and over may be eligible for the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program. A measure signed into law in May expanded the program by lowering the age for eligibility from 55 to 42. 

Senator Cunningham and Representative Hurley lead legislation to end what some call “inhumane” scheduling practices at CPD

CHICAGO – In the last month alone, three Chicago police officers devastatingly lost their lives to suicide – leading wellness professionals to call the department’s practice of canceling days off as “inhumane.”

State Senator Bill Cunningham and State Representative Fran Hurley are sponsoring measures to require the City of Chicago to give police officers a minimum of one day off each week – a move they hope will lead to a better work-life balance and, in turn, help officers prioritize their mental health.

“The overwhelming stress officers face combined with a lack of time off has become detrimental to their mental health,” said Cunningham, who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest suburbs. “This practice of canceling days off isn’t just unfair, it’s harmful.”

Limited rehabilitation preservation program provides capital funds to renovate aging affordable housing stock across Illinois

CHICAGO – State Senators Mattie Hunter, Robert Peters and Patricia Van Pelt, who all represent communities across Chicago, recently announced conditional awards totaling nearly $12 million in Rebuild Illinois funding that will provide critical improvements to 27 affordable housing developments throughout Illinois.

Awarded under the new Limited Rehabilitation Preservation Program the funds will preserve the safety and long-term stability of affordable rental housing for low-income households across the state. In all, more than 1,400 units of affordable rental housing will see vital repairs that will address code violations, resolve security issues and improve the health and safety of both the buildings and their residents.

"I am happy to announce these awards from the Rebuild Illinois Program, as some of our city's housing infrastructures are in deep need of rejuvenation," said Hunter. "At a time when the nation is seeing unprecedented housing insecurity, I am proud that elected officials and stakeholders could come together to give Illinois communities the revitalization and the accessibility needed to combat the housing crisis."

Fine: New 9-8-8 suicide helpline now live

GLENVIEW – The new 9-8-8 crisis line for mental health and substance use emergencies launched Saturday. This new helpline will provide people in a mental health crisis with necessary support.

“The past two years have been an overwhelming time for many Illinoisans, and some feel like they are struggling alone,” said Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview). “9-8-8 is an expanded resource to assist people experiencing mental health issues. I encourage anyone feeling anxious or depressed to dial 9-8-8 for local support, because a caring voice or a listening ear can make all the difference during times of stress.”

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Cunningham, Hurley propose legislation to curb CPD's canceled day-off policy

CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham and State Representative Fran Hurley introduced legislation to legally require the city of Chicago to give police officers a minimum of one day off each week. The proposal is designed to end the city’s practice of routinely canceling officer’s regularly-scheduled days off to make up for chronic staffing shortages.

“Canceling days off might make sense on a temporary basis during an emergency situation, but it has become a routine staffing policy for CPD and part of misguided crime-fighting strategy,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “It is not only grossly unfair to officers and their families, it produces a fatigued and burned out police force that is less effective at fighting crime.”

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Morrison visits Washington in an effort to combat gun violence at the national level

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the Fourth of July, State Senator Julie Morrison and hundreds of Highland Park residents ran for their lives as a gunman opened fire on a 4th of July parade, killing seven and wounding dozens of others.

“As days have passed, each of us in the community have felt pain. In a town of about 30,000 people, almost everyone knows someone who has been affected,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “No matter where you go in the city, you’re reminded of the tragic loss of life. Our town is now on the map with Buffalo, Uvalde and so many other towns across this nation that have been stricken by heinous gun violence in recent months.”

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Sound of the State: Relief for Illinois families

State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) discusses relief coming to Illinois families, including the upcoming back-to-school sales tax holiday, in this episode of the Sound of the State.

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GLENVIEW – The new 9-8-8 crisis line for mental health and substance use emergencies is launching Saturday, July 16. This new helpline will provide people in a mental health crisis with necessary supports.                                                

“The past two years have been an overwhelming time for many Illinoisans, and some feel like they are struggling alone,” said Senator Fine (D-Glenview). “9-8-8 is an expanded resource to assist people experiencing mental health issues. I encourage anyone feeling anxious or depressed to dial 9-8-8 for local support, because a caring voice or a listening ear can make all the difference during times of stress.”

9-8-8 is a 24-hour hotline for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Individuals in need can dial 9-8-8 and be connected with a trained mental health professional who can help provide assistance. The hotline is a free, confidential service.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – One week ago, State Senator Julie Morrison and hundreds of Highland Park residents ran for their lives as a gunman opened fire on a 4^th of July parade, killing seven and wounding dozens of others.

“As days have passed, each of us in the community have felt pain. In a town of about 30,000 people, almost everyone knows someone who has been affected,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “No matter where you go in the city, you’re reminded of the tragic loss of life. Our town is now on the map with Buffalo, Uvalde and so many other towns across this nation that have been stricken by heinous gun violence in recent months.”

In the days since, Morrison has worked around the clock to bring more awareness to the state’s Red Flag Law – which she championed in 2018 – and discuss potential legislative action – both federally and at the state level – which she believes will put an end to the gun violence epidemic taking place across the nation. On Monday, Morrison was invited to the White House for a ceremony regarding the signing of the bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

“In today’s America, just as the nation begins to heal from one attack, another ensues. How much longer can we sit back silently and only offer thoughts and prayers without real, tangible solutions,” Morrison said. “We must work together – both at the national and state level – on a solution to end these vicious attacks.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham and State Representative Fran Hurley introduced legislation to legally require the city of Chicago to give police officers a minimum of one day off each week. The proposal is designed to end the city’s practice of routinely canceling officer’s regularly-scheduled days off to make up for chronic staffing shortages. 

“The Chicago Police Department has approximately 1,500 fewer officer than it is budgeted for,” said Hurley. “The way to fix this problem is to hire more officers, not cancel scheduled days off for existing officers and force them to work 12 or 13 days in a row without relief.”

How to help Highland Park

On what was to be a day of celebration, a gunman opened fire on the Highland Park 4th of July parade, killing seven and injuring dozens more.

State Senator Julie Morrison — who represents the town — was among those at the tragic event.

“Families – including my own – set out on the 4th of July morning for a day of fun and festivities, yet were soon faced with the unthinkable: a mass shooting in their very own community,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “The fear that goes through your mind when you don't know if your friends and family are safe is one of the most gut wrenching feelings – one that far too many people across this country feel.”

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Castro welcomes over $1.2 million in grants for local parks

ELGIN – To kick off Parks and Recreation Month, State Senator Cristina Castro announced funding for investments in four local parks and forest preserves in Cook and Kane Counties.

“Spending time outdoors has many benefits, from encouraging people to be physically active to improving cognitive function and memory,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “By making critical improvements to our local parks and outdoor spaces, we are prioritizing the overall well-being of our residents.”

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Koehler-backed electric vehicle rebate program opens in Illinois

PEORIA – Thanks to State Senator Dave Koehler and other members of the General Assembly, Illinoisans who purchase electric vehicles will now be eligible to apply for a rebate.

“If it’s our goal to increase the accessibility and use of electric vehicles across the board, we have to make sure we’re including everyone in the conversation,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By offering the same incentives for electric motorcycles that we do for other electric vehicles, we’re encouraging sustainability to an even greater population.”

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Senator Kris Tharp: I'm eager to serve

WOOD RIVER – Kris Tharp, a captain and jail administrator for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office with nearly 25 years of law enforcement experience and a life-long volunteer in the Metro East, was sworn in to represent Illinois’ 56th Senate District Friday.

“I’m truly honored and humbled by this entire experience,” said Tharp (D-Bethalto). “We have a lot of important issues to explore this year, and I’m eager to serve the residents of the 56th District in this new role.”

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Sound of the State: Student mental health with Senator Bennett

On this week's Sound of the State, hear from State Senator Scott Bennett as he discusses a new law that took effect July 1 that prioritizes student mental health.

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