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.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the signing of legislation to combat skyrocketing costs of prescription insulin, State Senator Dave Koehler offered the following statement:

“For far too long, people who need this medication to survive have been forced to make the impossible choice between food and housing or prescription medication,” Koehler (D-Peoria) said. “This life saving medication should be available at a cost that will not break the bank, and with this new law we’re making this a reality for Illinoisans.”

The price of insulin has drastically increased in the United States in the past several years. According to a 2016 analysis, the price of the drug tripled between 2002 and 2013.

1.3 million Illinoisans are living with diabetes and rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Price increases have left many of them struggling to pay for the drug, and at-risk of deadly consequences.

“This truly is common sense legislation, and I’m incredibly proud to have advocated on its behalf,” Koehler said.

SPRINGFIELD - The ability of pharmaceutical companies to line their pockets on the backs of Illinoisans with diabetes is coming to an end.

Surrounded by advocates and diabetes patients young and old, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Senate Bill 667, sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), making Illinois the second state in the nation to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $100 per month for all patients regardless of the supply they require. The cap applies to commercial insurance plans regulated by the state starting on Jan. 1, 2021.

“I’m deeply grateful for the brave individuals and families, some of whom are here today, who stepped up and challenged the status quo on behalf of millions of people who share their experience,” Manar said. “Their stories propelled Senate Bill 667 through the legislature with bipartisan support by evoking a shared belief that unites us all — the health and humanity of our neighbors isn’t a tool to be leveraged for exorbitant profit.”

Roughly 1.3 million Illinoisans are living with diabetes and rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Price increases have left many of them struggling to pay for the drug and at risk of deadly consequences.

CENTREVILLE – To increase the success of our youth, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is urging schools to submit an application to receive the Early Childhood Block Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education.

“Schools need to close their student’s achievement gap sooner than later and that starts with increasing the investment in our kids at a young age,” Belt said. “We are trying to improve access to quality early childhood programs and early childhood investors need to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Last year’s $543.7 million appropriation for early childhood was the largest in Illinois history.

Eligible applicants for the Early Childhood Block Grant include public school districts, university laboratory schools approved by Illinois State Board of Education, charter schools, area vocational centers, and public or private not-for-profit or for-profit entities with experience in providing educational, health, social, or child development services to young children and their families.

For more information visit www.isbe.net/ecbg. Applications are due to the Illinois State Board of Education no later than 4 p.m. on March 23.

CHICAGO — A plan to give students time off to vote was signed into law on Wednesday.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) led efforts to pass legislation, which allows students to vote during school hours. This comes after push back from school administrators during a “March to the Polls.” Students from those schools rallied to pass the new law out of committee last year, and some were there to see it signed into law.

“I was proud to stand with the same students who fought for this bill’s passage as it is signed into law today,” Sims said. “It is crucial that voting is accessible to everyone, including our students. Their voices are just as important as state workers’, who already have time off to vote. And of course, I encourage private employers to extend this allowance to their employees wherever possible.”

Senate Bill 1970 amends the Election Code to allow students who are 18 or older to leave school for up to two hours to vote in a primary, general or any other election in the state that requires a popular vote.

CENTREVILLE — A measure that gives students time off to vote during school hours was signed into law Wednesday with the support of State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville).

“Every vote counts, which is why it is critical to make voting more accessible for students,” Belt said. “I hope this encourages our young people to vote and show them that their vote is just as important as the workers who receive time off to go to the ballot box.”

Senate Bill 1970 amends the Election Code to allow students who are 18 or older to leave school for up to two hours to vote in a primary, general or any other election in the state that requires a popular vote.

The measure allows schools to decide which hour students can be absent to vote. Schools must follow the same rules set for employers and employees. .

The new law will take effect Jan. 1, 2021.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman has recently announced that the Rockford Park District will receive a total of $275,000 to renovate Keye-Mallquist Park.

The funds were secured from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Land Acquisitions and Development program (OSLAD). So far this year, the program has provided more than $28 million to support 87 park projects across the state.

“Our local parks are a great way for all of us to stay active and play different types of recreational sports,” Stadelman said. “It’s great to see that the Rockford Park District is continuing its hard work and commitment to the community by securing these funds.”

The OSLAD program began in 1987 and has invested $419.4 million in 1,765 local park projects. The program receives dedicated funding from a percentage of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax.

For more information about Rockford Park District and Keye-Mallquist Park, please visit rockfordparkdistrict.org.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to news that the University of Illinois is increasing tuition while giving its president a 40% pay raise, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) reaffirmed her commitment to fighting administrative greed and providing an affordable education to all Illinois students.

“I’m outraged that the university is raising the president’s pay and burdening students with the cost,” said Murphy. “Very few of these students will ever see a 40% raise for doing the same job in their lifetimes. It’s shameful that the administration is making it even more difficult for kids to afford an education.”