Last week, you received my newsletter reporting on accomplishments of the recent legislative session, including a report on campaign finance reform. I am happy to provide an update on that topic.

In May, I voted "no" on proposed campaign finance reform legislation (HB 7) because I believed that the legislation was weak and did not do enough to fight the problems in our current campaign finance process. Last week, I supported SB 1466 as a first step in a reform process that still needs work. The legislation is stronger now, with particular attention focused on transparency and quicker reporting of big donations as well as quarterly reporting overall. A coalition of more than 50 government reform advocates, including the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and the League of Women Voters, encouraged us to support this legislation as a great first step. The consensus was that if SB 1466 did not pass during this veto session, we would lose critical momentum and miss the opportunity to make any inroads.

While I still believe that the donation caps are set too high, we have done good work this year with finally enacting the first-ever caps on political donations, requiring transparency on political committees, and implementing strict enforcement measures. This continues the reform measures of this session which included limits to the power of insiders and special interests.

The result is legislation that has earned the approval of key government reform advocates like CHANGE Illinois, the coalition of more than 50 organizations who have fought to boost transparency and accountability in the state. (Thanks to George Ranney and Peter Bensinger of Lake Forest for their efforts in encouraging a "yes" vote.) We have made a start. We still have work ahead. Click here to read more.

Earlier this week, I voiced my extreme displeasure that the Lake County Health Department (LCHD) ignored its Health Clinic in Highland Park when doses of the H1N1 vaccine were distributed last week. The Lake County Health Department clearly recognized the existence of medical need in this part of Lake County when it opened the clinic. The need did not diminish last week and should have been addressed when distributing the vaccine.

I suggested that LCHD distribute vaccines by appointment only and based on medical acuity because I believe this process guarantees that the most medically needy will get the vaccine without the increased risks of standing in crowds in inclement weather for hours on end. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Lake County has more than 300,000 residents who fall within the recommended group of vaccine recipients. To date, Lake County has received 12,000 doses of the vaccine. Clearly, everyone who falls within this identified group is not as acute as the next. The three year-old boy who has had four cardiac surgeries in his young life is at much greater risk of complications from H1N1 than a healthy 20-year old and should receive the vaccine first. LCHD needed to acknowledge and address these variables.

I am working hard to ensure that residents in the southeast part of Lake County have an equal opportunity to get the vaccine. Following many conversations with Irene Pierce, Executive Director of LCHD, I am pleased to report that the next batch of vaccines will include distribution at after-school clinics at elementary and high schools in south Lake County. Some will be by appointment only, others by walk-in. I will keep you posted with any further information I receive.

When a government body is asked to protect the vulnerable, it is its responsibility to analyze and address that vulnerability, including patient acuity and geographic parity. The medical needs of all of Lake County's residents should have been paramount. I greatly appreciate the steps LCHD has taken to improve vaccine distribution throughout all of Lake County.

I am working with VFW Post 4737's Adopt-a-Unit program to provide assistance to the Ft. Sheridan-based 719th Medical Detachment presently stationed in Afganistan. Any and all donations of the items listed below would be greatly appreciated by our men and women in service. Please bring your donations to my office (427 Sheridan Road, Highwood, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.) through November 20.

ITEMS NEEDED FOR TROOP CARE PACKAGES

Body Wipes * Socks * Hand Sanitizer * Lens Cleaner * Toothbrushes/toothpaste * Soap * Q-tips * Shampoo/Conditioner * Razors * AA batteries * Candy * Power Bars * Cookies * Fruit Snacks * Granola bars * Gum * Pudding Mix * Slim Jims/Beef Jerky * Dried Fruit * Nuts * Crackers * Powdered Drink Mix * Pop-top Single Serve Food (soup, stew, pasta) * Tuna - Single Serve Packages * Paperback Books/Magazines * Fun Items (crossword puzzle books, DVD's, cd's) * Pens * Paper * Envelopes * Packing Items (packaging tape, ZIPLOC bags (all sizes)).

Thank you for any help you can provide, particularly during this season of honoring our troops.

Veterans' Day Ceremonies will be conducted on Wednesday, November 11. Please join our communities as we honor our men and women in service past and present:

The Deerfield Veterans' Day ceremony will be at 11:00 a.m. at Jewett Park Drive and Park Avenue.

The Highland Park Veterans' Day Ceremony, sponsored by the Highland Park American Legion Post 145, will be at 10:45 a.m. at the Veteran's Memorial at St. John's Ave. and Central Ave.

The Lake Bluff Veterans' Day Ceremony, sponsored by the Lake Bluff American Legion Post 510, will be at 9:00 a.m. on the Village Green. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served in the Public Safety Building Community Room (45 E. Center Avenue).

The Lake Forest Veterans' Day Ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. in the auditorium of Lake Forest High School, 1285 N. McKinley.

The Northbrook Veterans' Day Ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. at Northbrook Junior High, 1475 Maple Avenue.

email: karen@repkarenmay.org

phone: (847) 433-9100

web: http://www.repkarenmay.org