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Dear Neighbors, We are about half way through the first spring session of the 103rd General Assembly! I wanted to talk briefly about just a few bills I have been working on. Fair Patient Medical Debt
My medical debt bill passed the house at the end of March. HB2719 would require hospitals to pre-screen patients for eligible health coverage and financial assistance. This is a preventative approach to the medical debt crisis that burdens many Illinoisans. A study in 2021 found that of the 906,000 Illinoisans that are uninsured, about 1/3 are eligible for Medicaid but are not enrolled. You can watch my remarks on the house floor here. Before passing the bill, I participated in a virtual press conference to highlight the importance of HB219 and discuss the report by ICIRR, Legal Council for Health Justice, and Community Catalyst called Crisis in the Shadows: Medical Debt in Illinois. To watch my full remarks at the press conference, click here. HB2719 is also one of the 21 bills endorsed by the Illinois House Progressive Caucus: IL House Progressive Caucus Supports Key Legislation in Springfield
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Build Illinois Tax Credit
I introduced HB2044, an Illinois Tax Credit to help finance building affordable homes. Illinois has a deficit of low-income housing, which is causing the homelessness crisis to be exacerbated. The long-term, permanent solution is a state tax credit that can sustain affordable housing construction over the next 10 years. To read more about this legislation and hear what advocates have to say, read the below articles: Illinois Lawmakers Proposes Tax Credits to Incentivize More Affordable Housing Advocates Push for Tax Credit Aimed at Increasing Affordable Housing
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OUT AND ABOUTIf you would like to invite me to an event, meeting, or tour of your facility, please reach out to my office at info@repdagmara.org.
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I hosted a townhall at Carillon to welcome them to the 85th District! I got their feedback on legislation that was introduced in the 103rd General Assembly, talked about constituent services my office can provide, and different events we can host at Carillon. I am looking forward to continuing to engage Carillon residents! |
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The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus had a press conference to discuss our opposition to the proposed rate increase for naturalization fees, as well as highlight the New Americans Initiative, which provides funding for citizenship services. To watch my full remarks, click here. |
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I joined Fountaindale Library to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Studio 300! Studio 300 is a 7,000 square foot digital media center that includes sound recording studios, video recording studios, 3D printers, vinyl cutters, and much more! The studio provides cutting edge technology for Fountaindale District residents to use at no cost, allowing residents to develop and foster new skills and hobbies. Here’s to many more years of Studio 300! |
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While in Springfield, I met with an advocate who came to tell me her story about radon exposure. She was here advocating for HB2217, a bill I am a chief co-sponsor of, requiring radon records to every tenant before they sign a lease. This bill passed the house unanimously, and now moves on to the senate. To read more about HB2217, click here. |
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I was honored to join Gov. Pritzker as he signed Paid Leave for All into law! Illinois is now the 3rd state in the nation to mandate workers earn paid leave that can be used for any purpose. This law is a big win for workers rights, as Illinois continues to lead on that front. To read my press release on the signing of this bill, click here. |
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While I was in Springfield, my staff attended a press conference at Joliet Junior College where Governor Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton shared their proposed investments in Higher Education. One of the major highlights of this proposal is the $100 million investment in the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant. |
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The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation hosted a Latina Heritage Brunch to honor Latina Heritage Day on March 15th. I spoke on a panel about the incredible work Latinas do throughout Illinois and the country, and how to continue to uplift each other. Latinas make up 16% of the US workforce, making them the largest group of women workers. |
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Will County is home to the Will Grundy Medical Center, a free and charitable clinic that serves thousands of our community members with healthcare need. As an advocate for access to healthcare, I was please to deliver a $4.5 million payment to the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. To learn more click here. |
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My staff joined the Will County Farm Bureau to hear their thoughts on proposed legislation that will affect their farmers. It’s always great to hear from stakeholders in the community to get their perspective on legislation. |
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While we were finishing up deadline week, my staff joined Leader Manley and Senator Cappel’s staff at the After the Peanut fundraiser to support STEAM programming. After the Peanut encourages STEAM education for K-12 students. To learn more about their mission, click here. |
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The Illinois Nurses Association was in Springfield to advocate for various bills and I was happy to meet with them in the Capitol to learn more about their positions! I was happy to catch up with Joliet resident and community leader Pat Meade. We talked about my cultural competency bill and the needs for nurses across the state of Illinois. |
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I hosted a Women in Business Round table in collaboration with the Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce to celebrate Women’s History Month! Women in different levels of business heard from DCEO on different ways the state can assist their businesses, while also having an opportunity to network with each other. |
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I welcomed The Pierce Twins as my pages for the day in Springfield! Phallon and Kyra are constituents of mine and are on a mission to promote social equity and diversity in curriculums across the state! They've even started a non-profit and donate books by diverse authors to underfunded schools and kids in need. The Pierce Twins were also advocating for their bill, HB2401, while in Springfield. They hosted a press conference, which you can see here, and talked to members on the floor. To learn more about The Pierce Twins mission, visit their website here. If you are interested in becoming my page for the day in Springfield, please contact my office for more information. |
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Got Medicaid? Get ready to renew! Manage your case at abe.illinois.gov. Illinois is checking to see if you are still eligible for Medicaid. Here's what you need to do now: Click Manage My Case at abe.illinois.gov to: Watch your mail and complete your renewal right away. If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, connect to coverage at work or through the official Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace for Illinois, GetCoveredIllinois.gov.
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I encourage people to take advantage of the 211 line and website. 211 is powered by real people — trained specialists who work to identify and address the root causes of a client’s problem. That means from the first hello, someone in crisis is reaching a real person who can provide a connection to help. Food Pantries
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Will County is investing $10 million of American Rescue Plan Act dollars to ignite the next generation of heroes in nursing and teaching. The Will County Heroes Nursing & Teaching Scholarship, which formally launched today, encourages students to pursue degrees in these high-demand professions and incentivizes them to work in Will County after graduation. Eligible students can receive $2,500 per semester to support their pursuit of a nursing or teaching degree. Students can apply for the scholarship grant through the participating Will County higher education partners: Governors State University, Joliet Junior College, Lewis University, and University of St. Francis. Learn more about the program at www.willcountyillinois.org/heroes.
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Gov. Pritzker and DCEO announced $175M in grant funding through the ILB2B program for hard-hit industries including: Restaurants Hotels Creative Arts
Applications open April 5 – learn more here! DCEO will be hosting a webinar on April 6 about the B2B Grant Program. To sign up click here.
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Applications for the IEMA Grants are due no later than 5:00pm on April 18th, 2023. To learn more about the criteria for this funding, click here.
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The Office of Firearm Violence Prevention seeks applications from community-based organizations serving 22 eligible Chicago community areas to provide violence prevention services. This includes street-based violence interruption work, emotional- or trauma-related therapy, housing, employment, job training, family engagement, and wrap-around support. Accepting applications on a rolling basis. All applicants must be GATA prequalified. To learn more about the funding, click here.
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