Senator Heather Steans News

Springfield, IL— State Senator Heather Steans (D-7^th), following up on comprehensive Medicaid reform legislation passed last week, secured unanimous passage of a measure that will force the state to start paying its Medicaid bills on time. Senate Bill 3397 will rein in the practice, which has left many health care providers waiting more than six months for reimbursement, of paying one year’s bills using the next year’s funds.

“Underappropriating Medicaid – that is providing less spending authority for Medicaid than what the program costs – was a major factor contributing to the Medicaid fiscal crisis that has necessitated deep cuts to protect patients’ access to services,” said Steans, who also sponsored Senate Bill 2840, a comprehensive package of program reductions, provider rate cuts, and eligibility verification measures. “In order to avoid another shortfall of this magnitude, we must cut up the state’s Medicaid ‘credit card’ now, and we must keep our promises to providers and clients in the future.”

Read more: Steans’ Legislation Limits Medicaid Payment Delays

Steans: “This budget sets us well on our way to restoring Illinois to fiscal health”

Springfield, IL— State Senator Heather Steans (D-7^th) lauded the Senate’s passage of a balanced budget that preserves core priorities like education and human services while taking a huge step forward in fiscal responsibility by fully funding this year’s pension obligation and making a significant dent in the state’s stack of unpaid bills.

“This is an extremely challenging year for budget-making. The budget we just passed achieves the best possible balance of cuts, efficiencies, core priorities, and targeted spending on programs that work,” said Sen. Steans, who chairs one of the Senate’s appropriations committees. “We have to make good on our commitments to vulnerable populations, families hurt by the economic downturn, and our children who need a quality education now more than ever. At the same time, no state function is sustainable without a disciplined approach to debt and unfunded liabilities. This budget sets us well on our way to restoring Illinois to fiscal health.”

Read more: Senate Passes Responsible, Balanced Budget

Two bills target radon in homes, daycares

 SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator Heather Steans (D-16^th) has successfully sponsored two pieces of legislation aimed at protecting the public from exposure to radon in homes and daycare facilities. House Bill 4606 and House Bill 4665 received overwhelming majorities in both the House and Senate and await the governor’s signature.

“Radon is a silent killer – a colorless, odorless gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers,” Sen. Steans said. “I’m pleased that Illinois is moving toward building safer homes and toward informing parents about radon levels in the buildings where their young children spend hours every day.”

Read more: Steans Works to Protect Children, Public from Radon

Springfield, IL— State Senator Heather Steans (D-7^th) secured passage today of a supplemental budget bill that will allow childcare providers to keep receiving payments through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Previously, the Department of Human Services had announced it would discontinue those subsidies, due to lack of funds, until the start of a new budget year on July 1.

“The fact that the General Assembly has considered and passed this measure in a bipartisan fashion shows what we can do when we recognize genuine needs and take responsible steps to meet them,” said Steans, who sponsored Senate Bill 2450. “I have high hopes that this bodes well for negotiations on Medicaid, pensions, and the budget.”

Read more: Steans Pushes Through Solution to Child Care Shortfall

Fellows from Egypt and Morocco had the opportunity to visit the Illinois Capitol last week as part of a program through the nonprofit Heartland International Organization.  Based in Chicago, Heartland International designs programs that promote social justice, economic development, and citizen engagement in emerging democracies all across the globe.

Hassan Abdelhameed, a lawyer from Egypt and participant in Heartland’s program, visited with State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago), shadowing her in various committees and meetings around the Capitol.  In addition to working with Senator Steans, Hassan visited the governor’s office and several state agencies in Springfield.  Hassan also had the opportunity to spend three weeks in Chicago, visiting Senator Steans’ district office in Uptown, the Illinois Department of Education’s General Counsel’s office, and even attending a meeting at Chicago City Hall.  

Senator Steans sat down with Hassan on his last day in Springfield and talked about the importance of multinational exchanges to political leaders and participants alike.