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Bristow Reminds Residents about upcoming Health and Wellness Fair | RiverBender.com

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To connect members of the Metro East community with resources for health and community services, state Rep. Monica Bristow, D- Alton, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D- Edwardsville, and state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D- Swansea, are hosting a Senior Health and Wellness Fair at the Granite City Township Center, located at 2060 Delmar Ave, from 9 a.m. to noon.

“There are incredible health and community services that residents should know more about,” said Bristow. “Although this Fair is focused on health services for seniors, everyone can benefit from the resources and information that will be offered. Those who attend the Fair will have the opportunity to have both blood glucose and blood pressure screenings for free, which is vital at any age.”

The fair will provide residents the opportunity to learn about the mental, dental, and physical healthcare services that are offered by local and state organizations. During the fair, seniors will be able to learn about low-cost healthcare from a variety of sources. Organizations like the Citizens’ Utility Board, the Illinois State Treasurer’s office and the Attorney General’s office will also be in attendance to provide additional information for resources and support.

“There will be numerous organizations ready to address your physical, mental, and financial wellness at this Fair,” said Bristow. “I encourage everyone to stop by and learn more about what these local and state resources can offer.”

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March 2, 2020 at 04:45PM

State lawmakers introduce bills to reform DCFS | Top Stories

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – Over the past year, the Department of Children and Family Services has been in the spotlight for neglecting cases of abuse. That’s why state lawmakers are working on bills to help better protect children in Illinois.

Rep. Anna Moeller (D)- Elgin, says she’s dedicated herself to working with the state to make sure vulnerable children are getting protected.

"I was 18 months old. My grandparents adopted me," Moeller says. "My biological mom was a single 19-year-old woman, who had some alcohol and drug problems."

Moeller introduced a bill that would give DCFS investigators the ability to interview children at school without parental notification if there is suspected abuse. 

"In some cases, parents have either refused to allow their children to be interviewed or they are coached or pressured to give certain answers," Moeller says. "We need to make sure children are in a place where they can speak openly and honestly about what’s happening in their homes."

On the other hand, Sen. Julie Morrison (D) – Deerfield wanted to come up with a way to protect children who are not yet in school.

"Children under six may only see a case worker once a week from DCFS," Morrison says.

That’s why she introduced a bill that would put an extra set of eyes on young children if their family has been suspected of abuse.

"Providing early education opportunity, a place where the child would go every week on a regular basis," Morrison says. "Professionals will see the child, interact with the child and probably with the family too."

Moeller says it will take more than a few bills to reform DCFS, she says it will take the entire state’s cooperation, but she believe these pieces of legislation are a good start.

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via WAND-TV https://www.wandtv.com

March 1, 2020 at 09:40PM

ELECTIONS 2020 ILLINOIS STATE REPIncumbent Yingling talks economy, LGBTQ issues

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State representative Sam Yingling—the first openly gay person elected to the state legislature from outside of Chicago—sees economics as the driving issue in his re-election campaign in the Illinois House’s 62nd District.

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March 1, 2020 at 08:26AM

State declares February as Career and Technical Education Month

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The Illinois Senate adopted Senate Resolution 983 on Feb. 26, declaring February as Career and Technical Education Month in Illinois.

This resolution brings awareness to the career and technical education that prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers. CTE covers many fields, including healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, hospitality, and more. It encompasses many types of education, from classroom learning to certification programs to work-based learning opportunities outside of the classroom. 

“I have prioritized creating a skilled workforce in Illinois, and it depends on giving students the opportunity to attend high-quality trade schools in our state,” state Sen. Rachelle Crowe said. “We need to be encouraging success from outside a traditional classroom. This resolution works to bring awareness to the vital contributions labor workers provide in economic development efforts. Technical, vocational and trade education strengthens the Metro East at its core.”

Career and technical education delivers options for students pursuing college and rewarding careers; it delivers real-world skills to students, and it delivers a high school experience with more value. Parents and students both want their child or themselves to pursue a career they are passionate about. CTE lets students explore careers and find out what they want, or don’t want, to do after high school. CTE makes the future more affordable by helping families save money and wisely invest their time. CTE students can earn a paycheck, marketable certifications and even earn college credits while in high school, which can lead to better opportunities whether they pursue college or a career. There are a growing number of scholarships designed to help CTE students. 

“Each year, it’s important to recognize the accomplishments and opportunities coming from the world of Career and Technical Education. With career opportunities increasing for those with trade and technical skills, the state of Illinois needs to let students and business owners know that the state will continue promoting and investing in these careers,” state Rep. Monica Bristow said. “As a member of both the Higher Education Committee and the Economic Development committee, I recognize that CTE is an incredible avenue to meaningful and lucrative careers. I am happy to support February as CTE Month to recognize the work being done in the field and increase awareness about the opportunities for those entering the field.”

Career and technical education provides learners with the knowledge and skills they need to be prepared for college and careers. CTE gives purpose to learning by emphasizing real-world skills and practical knowledge within a selected career focus. Students take specialized courses, in addition to required courses, and often have the opportunity to participate in internships, engage with mentors and practice what they are learning through hands-on projects. Students can participate in CTE at the middle school or high school level and at postsecondary institutions. 

“Career and technical education creates meaningful pathways for students that allows them to learn through real-world application, explore career fields, and learn technical and employability skills that will last them a lifetime,” Madison County CTE Director Kaleb Smith said. “One important element of CTE is that it doesn’t limit a student’s future career options, it expands them. Students who utilize CTE programs can follow a path that leads to an industry credential, an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, or beyond. Going through a CTE program really does help a student find who they are and what they want to be and send a student down a path that leads to a meaningful career.”

For more information, visit madisoncountycte.com or call (618) 656-0415. Madison County Career and Technical Education’s address is 6161 Center Grove Road in Edwardsville.

The RiverBend Growth Association provided this article.

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February 28, 2020 at 11:33AM

Stuart cohosting feminine product drive

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EDWARDSVILLE — State Rep. Katie Stuart is collaborating with the Soup-n-Share Outreach Program to host a supply drive for feminine hygiene products during March in honor of Women’s History Month.

There will be a donation box at Stuart’s constituent service office at 2105 Vandalia St. Unit #16, in Collinsville, and at the Soup-n-Share at 5 Caine Drive in Madison.

“Every year, I try to host a few women’s supply drives because the need for tampons and pads is constant,” said Stuart. “The accessibility of hygiene products is not a problem you can solve with one drive. Each month, there are women and girls who worry they won’t have enough supplies to last them and may have to consider missing school or work as a result.”

Soup-n-Share is a community-based organization that works to eliminate hunger, offer free clothing, and free diapers or hygiene products to families across Madison County. Accepted donations include tampons, pads, soap and other hygiene products. Stuart is also sponsoring legislation to require college campuses to provide feminine hygiene products in public buildings for students and visitors.

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via Alton Telegraph

February 28, 2020 at 11:32AM

Bill introduced to let retired teachers act as substitutes to help with shortage

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – A new bill has been introduced in Illinois to allow retired teachers act as substitutes in school districts experiencing substitute teacher shortages.

State Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) introduced the bill that would let retired teachers do this without jeopardizing their retirement benefits.

“Education is an issue that will need constant innovation to ensure it is as effective as possible,” said Scherer. “A more adaptable education system will only lead to more significantly positive results for teachers, students and their families.”

 

The legislation would give the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) the ability to grant return-to-work waivers to school districts where there are substitute teacher shortages.

 

If a school district is given a waiver, retired teachers can return to work as substitutes without putting their retirement annuity at risk.

 

Currently, a retired teacher can only return to work without jeopardizing their retirement benefits if they were to return at least one full school year after retirement and do not exceed a cap of 120 paid days or 600 hours.

 

“School districts need the appropriate resources to mold the future generations,” said Scherer “Providing the space for a quality and productive educational environment should not be hindered by personnel issues like these shortages.”

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via WAND-TV

February 28, 2020 at 11:28AM

ENDORSEMENT: Rita Mayfield for Illinois House in 60th District Democratic primary

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State Rep. Rita Mayfield, 2020 primary election endorsement, Illinois House, 60th District
State Rep. Rita Mayfield is endorsed by the Sun-Times for Illinois House in the 60th District Democratic primary. | Rich Hein/Sun-Times

She has a grasp of a broader array of issues facing the state than her opponent.

In this far north suburban district, we endorse five-term incumbent Rita Mayfield of Waukegan over environmental activist Diana Burdette, also of Waukegan. Mayfield has a better grasp of a broad array of issues facing the state.

Mayfield is promoting long-term efforts, for example, to clean up the Superfund site of the vacant asbestos-ridden Johns Manville plant on Waukegan’s lakefront. She also supports retiring Waukegan’s coal-fired power plant in a way that this prime lakefront land can be put to better use, perhaps as a museum, a forest preserve or a park. And she has worked to keep Lake Michigan water — the Chicago area’s greatest natural resource — from being diverted outside the Great Lakes basin.

Along with Burdette, Mayfield was involved in efforts to limit or end emissions of ethylene oxide from local Medline Industries and Vantage Specialty Chemicals plants. Mayfield also supports the graduated income tax amendment and taxing retirement income of wealthier residents in the state, but she opposes term limits.


Illinois House 60th District map.
Illustration by Caroline Hurley
Illinois House 60th District map.

For more information about this race and others, including candidate questionnaires, go to our Illinois primary voting guide. Our newspaper is owned by a group of civic-minded and, in some cases, politically active investors; for details, see our owner information page.

Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.

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February 27, 2020 at 05:16AM

Rep. Moeller: 2020 Session Opportunity to Help People

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This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

Neighbor News

State Rep. Anna Moeller plans to pursue legislation this year that will help people overcome challenges in their lives.

By Cassie Calloway, Neighbor
|
Rep. Moeller: 2020 Session Opportunity to Help People

ELGIN — Feeling the stress of personal challenges in your life? State Rep. Anna Moeller just may have an answer.

Rep. Moeller, D-Elgin, is pursuing an active legislative agenda in Springfield this year aimed at helping resolve lingering problems, from health care for seniors to child protection for state wards.

Read more about her 2020 agenda here:

After a historic 2019 legislative session, State Rep. Anna Moeller is preparing for an equally productive session in 2020.

Rep. Moeller, D-Elgin, expects a number of critical initiatives to be debated in Springfield in the 2020 spring legislative session that has recently begun, led by another balanced, bi-partisan state budget; clean energy legislation; and ethics reform to restore faith in government.

Moeller will be working on a number of issues before the session ends at the end of May:

Affordable Medications and Access to Healthcare – Illinoisans pay too much for quality health care, especially prescription drug coverage. Moeller is introduced HB5340, which creates a pharmaceutical collaborative through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to reduce costs. She is also continuing efforts to create a system for the Wholesale Importation of Prescription Drugs from regulated Canadian suppliers to provide greater access to lower cost prescription drugs to consumers in Illinois. (HB4362)

Moeller serves as Chairwoman of the House Health Care Licenses Committee. She is proposing reforms to the professional licensing process for medical and other professions to ensure that consumers are protected, patients have access to healthcare and barriers to employment in licensed professions for minorities are removed. (HB5516)

Helping Seniors Stay in their Homes – Moeller believes Illinois can do more to keep seniors living longer in their homes, both to improve their quality of life and to save significant state dollars over nursing home care. She is proposing a $750 state income tax credit for Illinoisans who make modifications in their home to take care of their elderly parents. (HB4363) She also wants to increase the state-reimbursed pay to ensure that home health care workers who provide services to seniors in their homes are paid a living wage. (HB5051)

Protecting Vulnerable Children – Adopted as a baby by her maternal grandparents, Moeller is disheartened by the ongoing problems in the state’s foster care system. She is working with a group of dedicated lawmakers on reforms to the Department of Children and Family Services and has sponsored legislation to make positive changes in the state’s child welfare system.

One proposal would give investigators greater ability to investigate suspected abuse and neglect by interviewing children at school without parental notification if there is suspected abuse or neglect by the parent. (HB5614). Rep. Moeller is working with her Senate colleagues on a proposal to require children under kindergarten age to be enrolled in preschool if their family is under DCFS monitoring, so there is another set of eyes watching out for their safety and a proposal to address the high turnover of social workers through a proposal to provide a federally matched college tuition stipend for students who commit to getting a bachelor’s degree in social work and then work in the child welfare system for a set number of years.

"My goal as State Representative is to help people who often don’t have a voice and who are often left behind," Moeller said. "Lowering the cost of health care, supporting independent living by our seniors, protecting our vulnerable children: these are all ways I can make a difference in Springfield, and I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to make progress on these and other important issues this spring."

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via Elgin, IL Patch https://patch.com

February 25, 2020 at 09:30AM

Election 2020: Longtime state Rep. Rita Mayfield faces first-ever primary challenge

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Diana Burdette, who is challenging incumbent state Rep. Rita Mayfield in the March primary, speaks at an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency rules session about the ventilation system upgrades at Vantage Specialty Chemicals’ Gurnee facility. Ethylene oxide emissions were the catalyst for Burdette getting involved in local politics, she said. (Diana Burdette / HANDOUT)

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via chicagotribune.com

February 25, 2020 at 06:42AM

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