VILLA PARK – As COVID-19 vaccination distribution ramps up, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) is pleased to announce that the AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center in Glendale Oaks is set to receive 300 to 500 more doses of the vaccine per week thanks to a new pilot program to reach underserved communities.

“I’m pleased to see that AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center in the 23rd District is one of the hospitals receiving additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine,” Cullerton said. “The pilot program is a strong step in the right direction to ensuring people across our communities have access to this vital vaccine to help end this awful pandemic.”

The new pilot program comes from a partnership between Gov. Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health and federally qualified health centers and safety net hospitals across the state. The hospitals chosen for the first round of the pilot program were determined using IDPH’s COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index and local vaccination rates.

“Providing support to communities hit hardest by COVID-19 is essential. These additional doses are so important to raising our vaccination rates and getting everybody protected against this virus,” Cullerton said.

Vaccines will be available to residents by appointment only. More information on vaccination through AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center can be found here: https://www.amitahealth.org/covid-19/vaccine

  To find additional information about vaccine availability, including locations and eligibility, visit https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/.

DES PLAINES – A mass COVID-19 vaccination site will open at the former Kmart in Des Plaines, thanks in part to efforts by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to secure a more convenient location for residents in the Northwest Suburbs to receive their dose.

“It’s great to see this much-needed vaccination site open in Des Plaines, a community that suffered some of the highest rates of COVID-19 in the region earlier in the pandemic,” Murphy said. “This repurposed facility will allow residents throughout the O’Hare corridor to take that all-important step to protect themselves and their loved ones: Getting vaccinated.”

The site will be housed in the former Kmart located at 1155 E. Oakton St. in Des Plaines and will be open to residents in Phases 1A and 1B, including health care personnel, first responders, front-line essential workers, and residents 65 and older.

In February, Murphy and other North Suburban senators sent a letter to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle urging the county to open a community vaccination site in the area. Lawmakers cited disproportionately high COVID-19 rates and a large population of older residents, a potentially deadly combination, as reasons to prioritize the area in the county’s vaccine distribution plan.

According to Cook County officials, appointments will be available at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov starting at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 4. Vaccinations will begin Friday or Saturday, pending delivery of vaccine supplies from the federal government.

“When it’s your turn, I encourage everyone to get the vaccine. It’s the best way you can protect yourself and your loved ones,” Murphy said. “The faster we get everyone vaccinated, the sooner we can start going out to eat, traveling, and enjoying the in-person company of our family and friends again.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) is promoting the reopening of the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace during a Special Enrollment Period set up in response to COVID-19, allowing individuals and families to apply for and enroll in 2021 health insurance coverage.

“Health insurance should not be something you have to worry about during a pandemic,” Martwick said. “Take advantage of this enrollment window if you or your family have lost coverage.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) would further streamline the state’s adoption process while removing redundancies and red tape.

“Reaching the final steps of the adoption process is a wonderful experience, but the final steps can be confusing and laden with red tape,” said Feigenholtz, who is herself an adoptee. “In an effort to make a challenging process less so, this bill fine tunes and clarifies some issues that often arise while finalizing an adoption.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans looking to update their wills or establish end-of-life plans have faced barriers during the pandemic due to a rule requiring in-person court hearings, inspiring State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) to introduce an initiative to update current practices for remote and electronic filings. The measure passed through the Senate’s Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

“Over the last year, more aspects of our daily lives have gone digital, but the procedure for estate planning has lagged behind as technology advances,” Crowe said. “Providing residents the option to have remote will hearings and electronic filings makes the process quicker and simpler.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) has introduced two measures that would begin phasing out harmful PFAS chemicals in Illinois.

“PFAS chemicals are also known as ‘forever chemicals’, because they’re too small to filter and their internal bonds are so strong that they don’t break down,” Ellman said. “There’s evidence that exposure to PFAS can cause a variety of health problems. We must act now if we want reduce the exposure of these chemicals in our water.”

SPRINGFIELD – College students in Illinois could see lower textbook purchase and rental costs under legislation filed by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), which requires colleges and universities to find ways to make course materials more affordable.

“A full-time undergraduate student today spends nearly $1,300 per year on textbooks and supplies. Especially on top of tuition and other fees, that can be overwhelming,” Murphy said. “It’s time to explore more affordable options, like inclusive access models, e-books, and subscription and rental programs.”

Cunningham introduces legislation to help older adults and people with disabilities stay in their homes

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Bill Cunningham has introduced a measure to make home services more available and affordable, helping older adults and people with disabilities continue to live in their own homes.

“Older adults should have every opportunity to live in their own homes as long as possible,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “And, people with disabilities deserve to live independently whenever possible.”

Read more.

Senator Fine plan would give social services agents tools to care for dementia patients

SPRINGFIELD — To help social services employees better identify, understand and protect patients with dementia, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is partnering with the Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association on legislation to improve training for employees of the Illinois Department on Aging’s Adult Protective Services division.

“For employees working to prevent abuse and neglect of older adults, it’s critical to be familiar with the symptoms of dementia and the types of abuse that most commonly affect patients living with it,” Senator Fine said. “A well-educated workforce means better protection for aging Illinoisans.”

Read more.

Bennett and cancer advocates attend prescription drug town hall

CHAMPAIGN — State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) joined cancer survivors, caregivers and advocates at a virtual town hall last week to discuss the need to limit co-pays and other cost-sharing requirements for prescription drugs.

Out-of-pocket health care costs are on the rise, with some Illinoisans unable to access the life-saving treatments and medications recommended by their providers. In 2021 alone, the American Cancer Society predicts that 74,980 Illinoisans will be diagnosed with cancer. Every Illinoisan with cancer—even those with good insurance plans—will face high out-of-pocket costs that make it harder for patients to afford their prescribed medication.

Read more.

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