…Adding… Advisory…

MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Democrats outline plan to address increase in carjackings statewide

SPRINGFIELD – Last year alone, more carjackings were reported in Chicago than in any other city. To address the increase of the crime and provide relief to victims, Illinois Senate Democrats are spearheading legislation which they will outline at a Tuesday press conference.

WHO: State Senators Robert Marwick, Omar Aquino, Kimberly A. Lightford, Bill Cunningham, Michael E. Hastings and Robert Peters

WHAT: Press conference on plan to address carjackings

WHEN: Tuesday, April 5 at 1 p.m.

WHERE: Blue Room, Illinois State Capitol and live on BlueRoomStream.com

* Capitol News Illinois…

Officials at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services believe they made “significant progress” last week toward reaching agreement on a plan to overhaul the way nursing homes are reimbursed through the state’s Medicaid program, according to a letter obtained by Capitol News Illinois.

It’s something Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration has been working on for two years to ease the severe staffing shortages that exist in many of the state’s long-term care facilities. An estimated 45,000 Illinois Medicaid recipients live in about 700 nursing homes throughout the state.

In his budget proposal in February, Pritzker proposed a $500 million plan to increase reimbursement rates for facilities that raise their staffing levels up to certain targets. Some of the money would also be used to fund pay raises for certified nursing assistants as they gain more experience in their jobs.

The money for that would come from a bed tax the state levies on nursing homes, which would draw down additional federal reimbursements.

* Press release…

On Monday, Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-39) passed House Bill 1466 in the Illinois House. The legislation aims to make insulin more affordable and accessible for all Illinoisans.

HB 1466 tackles insulin affordability in two ways. First, it creates an Urgent Need Program, which allows people with diabetes to access an emergency 30-day supply of insulin at a minimal cost of $35 from their local pharmacy. This program ensures that people with diabetes have access to life-saving and sustaining medication regardless of their insurance status, and prevents the need for insulin rationing and other high-risk cost-cutting measures.

The bill also caps the total copay amount an insurer is allowed to charge an insured person at $35 a month. The $35 copay cap will apply to all Illinoisans who purchase health plans on the state-regulated exchange, roughly 20% of insured people in the state.

“Taken together, these two provisions will provide a vital safety net for people struggling to afford their insulin,” said Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-39). “People in crisis will be able to get insulin when they need it, rather than rationing and putting their health at risk.”

This act strives to make diabetes medicine more affordable to people who need it, many of whom now have to choose between their medication and other life-saving essentials such as food, housing, or other healthcare.

According to the American Diabetes Association, the price of the most popular types of insulin has tripled over the past decade. For instance, a 10ml vial of Eli Lilly’s Humalog cost $93 in 2009; today it costs around $335. One in four insulin users across the US have said cost has impacted their insulin use. Using less insulin than medically necessary can lead to drastic health impacts including brain swelling, organ failure, and death.

“The past two years have been a vivid reminder that pharmaceutical research can produce incredible results. But no matter how great they are, drugs don’t work if people can’t afford them,” said Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-39).

* Press release…

[Yesterday], the Illinois House of Representatives passed legislation sponsored by State Representative Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) to ensure no one has to die alone, even in a pandemic. Senate Bill 1405, sponsored in the Senate by Republican Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods), ensures a family member may be by the side of their loved one in their final moments while in a healthcare facility.

“No one should have to die without a family member by their side. No one should have to learn their mother or their husband is suffering rapid decline but be denied the opportunity to give them love and compassion in their final moments,” said Bos. “Unfortunately, many were denied this opportunity.”

Due to executive orders in response to COVID-19, no exceptions existed to allow for end-of-life visitation with a family member in a healthcare facility. Even as mitigation rules were changed in response to the pandemic, residents in skilled nursing homes, extended care, or intermediate care facilities were denied even one visitor. Under SB 1405, at least one visitor, not including a member of the clergy, must be permitted to visit a loved one. Healthcare facilities are empowered to set safety guidelines and ensure that neither the patient nor visitor are endangered by the visit, but no longer could they be outright denied due to an executive order.

“This legislation recognizes the dignity of every life and ensures no one else will be forced to face death alone,” said Bos.

As SB 1405 was amended in the House, it now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote before being sent to the Governor for his signature. Bos is hopeful it receives the same strong level of support and will be signed into law without delay.

* Press release…

The following statement is attributable to Jacqueline Gomez, executive director of the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA), on House Bill 5412, which may soon be called for a vote in the Illinois State Senate:

“We are disappointed that Illinois lawmakers have allowed House Bill 5412 to reach this phase of the legislative process despite several warnings from minority and women-owned construction firms of the detrimental impacts it will have on small business. Wage theft is a crime that ruins working families. It deserves more attention and more thought-out solutions than this hastily crafted legislation. HACIA is committed to working with the Legislature and the Illinois Dept. of Labor to prevent these crimes from taking place.

Unfortunately, Illinois lawmakers seem to believe they know better than those of us who work in this industry day in and day out. Instead of incorporating ANY of our suggestions into their proposal, they are moving forward with their own. If HB 5412 becomes law, prime contractors will unfairly be held responsible for bad acting subcontractors who do not fulfill their payroll obligations and will create competitive barriers for small businesses as a result of higher liability costs.

On behalf of HACIA members and women and minority-owned construction firms across Illinois, I call on the Illinois State Senate to reject HB 5412 and instead engage in honest discussions with our dedicated small business owners and entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our community and who believe that a diverse construction industry is a direct bridge to the middle class for our young and talented workforce.”

* Some very informal proponent dot points on the revamped Organized Retail Crime bill…

• It creates a dedicated [Organized Retail Crime] statute. Illinois is one of the few states in the nation that do not have a dedicated ORC statute. No more piecing together various crimes trying to come up with something. Doesn’t exist today.
• Funding for AG and assistant state’s attorneys dedicated to ORC and illicit trade; a major focus is on investigators which is a priority of the AG’s office. Doesn’t exist today.
• Funding for a statewide intelligence gathering platform. Does not exist today and is essential to effectively addressing ORC.
• We changed it so an individual cannot get caught up in ORC. Has to be 2 or more people working together with the intent to monetize. Again, the ORC measure is aimed at what we all saw what occurred in Chicago and the suburbs (and continue to see) – smash and grabs, U-Hauls, social media folks organizing, etc.
• We inserted a $300 threshold so someone stealing lip gloss, as an example, can’t get caught in ORC. The current felony threshold in retail theft is $300 so it is consistent.
• Addresses on-line marketplaces which are the flea markets and pawn shops of the 21st century. Mirrors the legislation being pushed in DC by Senator Durbin and Congresswoman Schakowsky. Doesn’t exist today.
• Allows a state’s attorney in any jurisdiction in which any element of the crime occurred to bring suit. This is imperative to prosecute criminals. Doesn’t exist today.
• AG given specific authority to utilize statewide grand jury for ORC. Doesn’t exist today.

* Open letter

04/04/2022
Re: Opposition to HB 1091
To the members of the Illinois House and Senate:

The undersigned organizations represent thousands of Illinoisans who are writing to express strong opposition to HB 1091, the “organized retail theft” bill. While the impact of this legislation on mass incarceration is ample reason to oppose it, we would like to share our specific opposition to this measure because of its impact on survivors of gender-based violence and women in general.

Retail theft laws already disproportionately impact women and survivors of gender- based violence.

There is a strong connection between domestic violence and incarceration of women. When a survivor leaves an abusive relationship, they are usually at an economic disadvantage. This can exacerbate mental health challenges including problems with substance use, and result in resorting to survival crimes. Results of a 2017-2018 survey of women incarcerated at Logan Correctional Center showed that 99 percent of the women incarcerated there have experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse at some point in their lives. Women who are subjected to domestic violence are nine times more likely to use drugs and 15 times more likely to use alcohol. While men are more likely to be targeted by law enforcement, many of the victims of the war on drugs are women and are disproportionately women of color. These factors all mean that further criminalizing retail theft will harm survivors of domestic violence.

Statewide data shows that a significant number of women are arrested for retail theft. According to data from Loyola University, from 1989-2019, there were 29,307 court admissions to women’s prisons for property crimes, representing 38% of ALL court admissions during this period. Retail theft cases have rightfully been linked to supporting an addiction or basic survival needs, but the link to domestic violence and human trafficking is often overlooked. In our collective experience, it is common for domestic abusers and traffickers to force and coerce their victims into committing crimes, including retail theft. Also, survivors experience extreme financial control leaving them to commit theft to meet basic needs for themselves and their children, including diapers, clothing and food.

More here.

….Adding… Press release…

State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) advanced a measure out of the Senate that would collect additional information for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in an effort to strengthen support and care for children in the foster system.

“One of the best ways we can improve our foster care system in this state is to listen to the kids about their experiences,” Ellman said. “It’s our responsibility to make sure they’re cared for and their concerns are heard as they move from one home to another.”

House Bill 4304 requires exit interviews to be conducted within five days of removal for every child age five and older who leaves a foster home. This process is modeled after a similar procedure followed by caseworkers in Florida.

Under current regulations, DCFS caseworkers are involved in the child removal process when requested by the foster home. This legislation lays the groundwork for a formal process to work to ensure caseworkers are gathering important information about each child’s experience in a home upon removal.

Information gathered during these interviews will depend on the age and maturity of the child and the circumstances of the removal request. House Bill 4304 requires the child to be asked if their basic needs were met in the home, if they had access to a caseworker or therapist, if they felt safe and comfortable in the home, and whether or not they felt included by their foster family.

“When fostering situations change, we need to understand why,” Ellman said. “Children should feel safe and included in their foster homes, and the data collected from these interviews will improve foster family conditions over time.”

The legislation now awaits further action by the governor.

…Adding… Press release…

In response to an event that stopped traffic on Eisenhower Expressway, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) lead a measure through the Senate Tuesday that would prohibit a street sideshow on any street or highway that causes traffic to slow or stop.

“People should not be allowed to stop traffic for their own entertainment, especially on a busy, fast expressway,” Munoz said. “Situations like these put residents in unneeded danger. It’s important that we work with law enforcement officials to ensure they are able to protect people in any situation.”

According to a CBS report, Eisenhower Expressway was shut down in December 2021 with drivers blocking the on- and off-ramps and every lane while a group of people engaged in dangerous stunts, such as doing donuts with their cars and dancing on the expressway.

House Bill 5439 defines a street sideshow as any event in which one or more cars block or impede traffic to perform unauthorized motor vehicle stunts, motor vehicle speed contests, or motor vehicle exhibitions of speed. Munoz’ measure would prohibit a street sideshow on any street or highway in Illinois and a person may not knowingly cause the movement of traffic to slow or stop for the purpose of facilitating street racing or a street sideshow. Under current law, people cannot be arrested for blocking a street or highway.

The measure would penalize the impediment of traffic for a street sideshow or street racing in the same manner as the act of street racing. The first violation is considered a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a determinate sentence of less than one year and a minimum fine of $250. A second or subsequent violation is considered a Class 4 felony punishable by a sentence of one to three years and a minimum fine of $500.

“As a former Chicago police officer, I know law enforcement’s number one job is to protect people,” Munoz said. “Without this measure, drivers could be put in an unsafe situation and police officers can’t do anything to protect them.”

House Bill 5439 passed the Senate with bipartisan support and now heads to the House for concurrence.