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Archive for October, 2009

Heather Steans Wins Awards

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Heather was honored on October 19, 2009, by the Illinois Council against Handgun Violence (ICHV) for her work in the Illinois General Assembly.

The ICHV presented Heather with its Legislative Advocacy Award for sponsoring and passing a bill which requires law enforcement officials to revoke a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card or deny an application for the card, when a person is subject to an order of protection. This measure (HB 3991) closed a significant loophole in Illinois law and was signed into law in August 2009.

For 35 years, the ICHV has been an innovative leader in creating programs to raise public awareness and mobilize people to take action to reduce death and injury from gun violence. Once a year, ICHV takes the opportunity to recognize outstanding individuals who have been dedicated to reducing gun violence.

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In September, Heather was honored by the American Heart Association’s Midwest Affiliate for her leadership on legislation to help stroke patients receive more immediate, specialized care.

Heather received the Legislative Lifesaver Award prior to the organization’s Metro Chicago Start! Heart Walk in Grant Park.

“I’m truly humbled by this honor,” Senator Steans said. “But as a senator, it is my job to make sure that people across Illinois have access to the best possible healthcare during the most critical times.”

This law created a stroke care working group to identify Primary Care Stroke Centers as well as Emergent Stroke Ready Hospitals throughout Illinois. A Primary Stroke Center means a hospital is certified by an approved, nationally-recognized certified body. An Emergent Stroke Ready Hospital is a hospital that meets the criteria for providing emergent stroke care.

This will allow stroke patients to be taken to specialized facilities immediately, rather than the nearest emergency centers that might not be properly equipped to handle their medical needs.

“It is fitting to honor Senator Heather Steans without Legislative LifeSaver award for championing this important law,” said Dr. Kathleen Grady, chairperson of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Illinois Advocacy Committee. “Because of her work, some people who would have lost their ability to walk or talk due to a stroke will now fully recover.”

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Posted in Press Release

Heather Steans Veto Analysis on Chicago Tonight

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Click here to watch my October 19 appearance on Chicago Tonight.

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Posted in Budget, Legislation

MAP Grant funding, campaign finance reform and recent awards

Monday, October 19th, 2009

October 19, 2009

Dear neighbor,

This update provides an overview of what happened in Springfield this last week, or first week of veto session. I will also be on Chicago Tonight at 7PM on WTTW Channel 11 tonight to further discuss the happenings in Springfield with other legislators if you’d like to tune in to the show.

Monetary Assistant Program (MAP) Grant Funding

The General Assembly appropriated $200 million in additional funding to fully fund MAP
grants last week and the Governor signed this bill yesterday. The bill authorized the Governor to borrow from other state funds to provide revenue for this program. I voted YES on funding for MAP Grants. I am still very concerned about the long term funding for MAP grants and will continue to work to make sure there is a secure revenue source for this program.

Campaign Finance Reform

Thanks for the many responses regarding campaign finance reform legislation. A great number of you wrote to me about your support for meaningful limits on leadership transfers. These limits are part of ongoing negotiations between the legislative leaders and reform groups. I am hopeful that there will be some meaningful limits in the final legislation that we consider, and I will keep you posted.

Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence Awards

Today, I won a Legislative Advocacy Award from the Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence for my work on HB3991. This law revokes or denies a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card when a person is subject to an order of protection and was signed by the Governor in August. I am honored to have been able to work on this legislation and to receive this award from the ICHV. You can read more about the bill by clicking here. There is much work to be done to provide sensible handgun control legislation and provide safe communities for our youth.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Best regards,

Heather Steans

Posted in Budget, Campaign Finance, Human Rights, Legislation