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Illinois 58th District State Representative Newsletter |  |
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Think Green We just passed the House deadline to move bills out of committee and I am happy to report that I was able to move forward 10 bills to the full House chamber for consideration. It was a frantic deadline week with 12- hour days, but worth it to achieve such strong results. You can check the bills on the following link to the state website: Karen May's bills. Many are consumer and health care ideas that were suggested by constituents. Thank you for your input.
Preventive health care and screening are critical to reducing health care costs. I am proud that my House Bill 4390 passed unanimously and now moves to the Senate. The bill provides for office visits for colorectal and prostate cancer screenings, mammograms, and pap smears for participants in the state Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIP). (CHIP is a state insurance program for persons who are unable to obtain private health insurance.) Two years ago Illinois mandated contraception coverage for private insurance plans. This bill also extends contraception coverage to CHIP participants.
On Saturday March 1, Senator Garrett and I were pleased to see many of you during our town hall meetings in Northbrook, Highland Park and Lake Bluff. The most frequently raised issues were the quality of our environment, the tax swap proposal and health insurance. Air pollution and the use of alternative fuels were raised as key environmental issues. I presented information on my legislation, House Bill 3424, the Illinois Clean Car Act which will require the EPA to establish higher standards for motor vehicle emissions within our state. In addition, the passage of this bill will help consumers save money on fuel and ultimately reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Many meeting attendees took postcards in support of this bill which they mailed to car dealers who are opposed. The proposed Education Fund-Tax Swap in Senate Bill 2288 is meant to fund education with reduced reliance on property taxes. Attendees were concerned that the tax swap would be harmful to local schools. While both Senator Garrett and I feel that measures should be taken to improve educational funding for under-funded areas, we do not believe the large tax increase is warranted. Finally, throughout these meetings, Senator Garrett and I heard many questions regarding what can be done to ensure fairer health insurance practices. Recognizing that this issue weighs heavily on the minds of my constituents, I recently introduced legislation that will reform how health insurance claims are reviewed in the State of Illinois. This house bill will create an independent body to review claim denials and appeals. Also, I have previously included in my newsletter information on my proposed House Bill 4830 to continue insurance coverage of small business employees whose employment ends.
I heard from many constituents regarding $40 million in funding for a new hall at Northern Illinois University. While many of us agree that there is great need for improved infrastructure at our state universities, capital funding for infrastructure across Illinois must be considered if we are to have an effective state capital budget. Illinois is facing fiscal hardships and I do not support additional spending for a knee-jerk earmark. Additionally, I do not support sweeping money designated for other purposes into capital projects that are not approved by the General Assembly. There are many ways that the tragic deaths can be memorialized. If there were to be an appropriate action in response to the NIU tragedy, it would be to appropriate $40 million for mental health services.
A number of you have stated opposition to the new program providing free rides for seniors on Illinois mass transit. I agree with you and was frustrated with the way Governor Blagojevich used the amendatory veto to create such new, inconsistent legislation. This new program will likely cost as much as $30 million a year in lost revenue and provides a break for seniors. In response, a trailer bill that I supported and which passed the House, links free fare eligibility to income levels and is now up for consideration in the Senate as SB 1409. I will keep you posted on its progress. If you disagree with the free rides proposal and are a senior, you do not have to sign up for the free pass and funding will be reserved for those who need help.
Please join me and other community leaders to learn more about the state budget and share your views about funding priorities, ways to reduce costs and means to improve government efficiency. The hearing is at 3 pm at Northbrook Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Ln., Northbrook. Please call my office if you would like to present testimony at the hearing.
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