(SPRINGFIELD) The 103rd Illinois General Assembly is in the past as lawmakers wraped up the lame duck session last night in Springfield. During the four day session, which included the capitol city being hit by a blizzard and lawmakers approving a slew of new bills along party lines, now ready to be sent to the Governor’s desk, one proposal dealt with orders of protection, requiring police confiscate firearms in certain cases. Another proposed bills dealt with more oversight of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, while yet another would repeal the requirement to publish all legal name changes. The 104th General Assembly that was elected on November 5th will be sworn in and seated at 12:00 noon today in Springfield.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services has been chosen by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to participate in the new Transforming Maternal Health Model, which seeks to improve maternal health outcomes. The federal program will provide $17 million in funding over 10 years to help Illinois Medicaid and other awarded state Medicaid agencies develop and pilot a more comprehensive approach to addressing physical health, mental health, and social needs throughout the pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care continuum statewide.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois awarded more than $21 million yesterday to improve healthcare infrastructure. The funds are part of the $200 million from the state’s Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant Program. A total of thirteen (13) grantees across the state will receive funding designed to transform healthcare delivery and outcomes in underserved communities. Some of the money will support six safety net hospitals which are critical to providing essential medical care to the most underserved areas of Illinois.