Dear Friends,Yesterday the legislature sent to the governor two bills I introduced in response to revelations that the Community Care Program (CCP) has run out of money. House Bill 207, a supplemental budget measure, injects $173 million into the program, while HB 2275 makes changes designed to keep costs down in the future.Like last year’s landmark Medicaid reforms, these two pieces of legislation accomplish the dual goals of saving money and sustaining a program on which low-income individuals depend for their quality of life.

CCP, administered by the Department …

To celebrate Earth Day, this morning Senator Steans and over 20 volunteers from the 7th district and Loyola University banded together to celebrate Earth Day by rehabilitating the park fence at Cochran Park (5560 North Magnolia). We were very happy to see such high turnout from our friends at Loyola University to celebrate our community by bettering its parks.

If you are interested in volunteering in the community or with Senator Steans, please sign up for our e-newsletter in the sidebar.

Dear Neighbor,With spring here at last, Earth Day is right around the corner. Join me in celebrating our commitment to bettering our district, our city, and our planet at one of the many Earth Day events in our community.

Earth Day Events

Dune Restoration at Loyola Park

Saturday, April 13th, 9am-1pm | 1230 W Greenleaf

Lend a hand at the Dune Restoration site at Loyola Park and help restore a native wilderness area right here in the city! This project will entail weeding of invasive plant species removing macro and micro-trash from the restoration site. Learn how crucial …

A few weeks ago the Senate took the first step toward expanded access to health care in Illinois. The Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) offers 100% reimbursement for care provided to certain low-income adults who aren’t currently eligible for Medicaid when states expand their medical assistance programs to include them.
I’ve sponsored and secured passage of legislation (Senate Bill 26) that will allow all adults between the ages of 19 and 64 who have incomes at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Limit to enroll in Illinois …

Dear Friends,

Today the Illinois Senate took a historic step toward equality for all: we passed the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. If the House approves the measure and Governor Quinn signs it, Illinois will become the tenth state to allow same-sex couples to marry.

I sponsored marriage equality legislation for people like Danielle Cook and Suzie Hutton, who got a civil union but discovered wherever they turned, from medical forms to greeting cards, their relationship wasn’t recognized. I sponsored this bill for people like Bonnie …