The following includes policy issues on which I have worked in past legislative sessions.

For a print-friendly list of Julie's Major Legislative Initiatives for 1999-2007, click here.

Aviation

Regional Airport Plan:  As Chair of the Aviation Committee, I organized six bipartisan committee hearings in 2001 to review regional airport capacity and authored a blueprint for a regional airport network, including Chicago as well as the Rockford , Milwaukee and Gary airports.
REPORT

Bicycle Safety

Bicycle Safety Restoration Act: Municipalities have no incentive to promote the use of bicycles after a recent Illinois Supreme Court ruling determined that automobiles are the only intended users of Illinois roadways. As more localities ban bikes on sidewalks, bicyclists are exposed to potentially dangerous roads and inadequate legal protection in case of injury due to unsafe conditions. I worked with Rep. Elaine Nekritz on legislation to make municipalities liable for acts of negligence that cause injury to cyclists without burdening local governments with road maintenance expenses.
Summary

To join the campaign, contact Chicagoland Bicycle Federation at www.chibikefed.org

Campaign Finance Reform

Campaign Finance Reform: I sponsored comprehensive legislation in 1999-2001– limits on campaign contributions, limits on campaign spending, and matching funds through a Clean Election Fund funded by voluntary contributions”. 
Summary
Clean Election Act Fact Sheet

Children & Families

Family Leave Insurance Program: This first-of-a-kind bill would provide limited income support for up to 4 weeks for an employee to take care of a newborn child, for his/her own serious illness, or for the serious illness of a family member. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act passed in 1993, but millions cannot afford to take an unpaid leave when they need it the most.

The FLIP program would be paid by a payroll deduction of 75 cents per week for each employee, matched by 75 cents per week by the employer. This modest payment would provide paid family leave, capped at about $1,500 per month – allowing many workers to provide needed support for their families while balancing their work responsibilities.
Summary
Fact sheet

 Child Support Reform:   I sponsored the Unified Child Support Services Act in 2002 to reorganize the state's fragmented, inefficient child support system.  This legislation was signed by Governor Ryan in January, 2003.
Summary

In  1999-2000, I also enacted legislation (later vetoed by the Governor) to allow working families on welfare to keep 2/3 of the child support collected on their behalf, rather than the flat $50 per month as currently.
Summary

Hearing Screening for Newborns:  I enacted legislation in 1999 creating a universal program to test the hearing of all newborn infants prior to their discharge from the hospital.  This new law recognizes hearing loss in several hundred babies per year who are now referred for treatment early on — ensuring full brain development in those important early years.  
Summary

Immunization Registry:   I sponsored legislation in 2002 to require health care professionals to report all childhood immunizations to the state's already-existing registry called TOTS (Tracking Our Toddlers' Shots). This is intended to create an accurate and up-to-date record to prevent over-immunization and under-immunization of children when vaccination records are not available.
Summary

Paid Family Leave:  I sponsored a House Resolution in 2000 to create a Subcommittee on Unemployment Insurance and then helped write a subcommittee report spelling out all the issues. This process was a useful way to review new rules for unemployment insurance for the most recent persons entering the workforce (primarily low-income women), and to consider the feasibility of paid leave for workers during family and medical emergencies.
Summary
Read Unemployment Insurance subcommittee report

Child Mental Health Act: I enacted legislation in 2003 (now Public Act 93-612) requiring the State to create a Children's Mental Health Plan to address untreated mental health problems in children. Lack of treatment has serious consequences for children, families and schools and should be addressed early on. The Plan will promote coordinated services, better screening and assessment, and school interventions. Local school districts and the State Board of Education will also develop policies that incorporate social and emotional development into a school's educational programs.
Summary
Fact Sheet

Computer Technology

Computer Rehab Program:   I enacted legislation in 1999 (vetoed by the Governor) creating a new program -- called C Drives for Kids – to encourage donations of older computers to the state, which then would be refurbished and used in schools and after-school programs. 
Summary

High Speed Internet Services And Information Technology Act (2007):  To enable Illinois to have access to federal dollars, our law requires the to enlist a not-for-profit organization to implement a statewide high-speed internet deployment strategy to ensure that all residents and businesses have access to broadband and computers. A not-for-profit organization is best suited to involve private industry representatives, municipalities and other stakeholders to create an inventory of existing services, develop local technology planning teams to identify gaps and receive public and private funds.
Summary

Consumer Issues

Out-of-State Wine Shipments (2007):  I was the chief opponent to HB 429, the industry bill that will restrict consumers from buying wine from out-of-state retailers. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling now requires equal treatment for in-state and out-of-state wineries which ship directly to consumers, but the Illinois law will prohibit direct sales by out-of-state “retailers” – including brokers, auction houses, stores and online companies. In a world of internet and catalogue sales, it made no sense to pass protectionist legislation that harkens back to the Prohibition.
Summary
Transcript from Hearing on HB 429
Article in Chicago Sun-Times: Wine shipment law should protect choice
Article in National Law Journal: internet wine sales
Article in Pekin Times: Wine bill may leave bad aftertaste

Phony Cell Phone Charges (2007):  HB 1033 would prohibit extra line item surcharges on phone bills except for taxes and other federal, state or local government mandates. Any line item specifying recovery of costs associated with government mandates or authorization would have to identify the law, rule or regulation. Currently, some cell phone providers include extra line items such as “administrative fee”, “regulatory compliance fee” or “cost recovery fee” – which should really be included in the monthly service charge in this competitive market, not added secretly later. HB 1033 was killed in Consumer Protection Committee by the cell phone industry.
Summary

Criminal Justice Reform

Sequential Police Lineups:   I sponsored first-of-a-kind legislation to test the effectiveness of the new police lineup procedure in three pilot project jurisdictions as part of criminal justice reform.  Instead of a traditional lineup with 5 possible suspects, the witness would be shown each suspect one at a time (called “sequential” lineup).   Studies have shown that in standard “simultaneous” lineups, even well-meaning eyewitnesses sometimes identify the person that looks most like the suspect in comparison to the others in the lineup – and this causes false eyewitness identifications.  The legislation was enacted as part of major death penalty reform in 2003.
Summary
Fact Sheet
"When Believing Isn't Seeing"
Chicago Tribune Editorial

Death Penalty: While I have previously supported the death penalty as an appropriate punishment for heinous crimes, I reversed course and adopted a public position to abolish the death penalty. I wrote about my “20-year journey” to reach this position in a personal statement and became a co-sponsor of the legislation to abolish the death penalty. HB 213 was not called for a vote, but there will be ongoing efforts to monitor criminal justice reforms enacted in 2003.
Summary

Personal statement:
Standard HTML
Adobe Acrobat PDF

Disabled Persons

Wage Increases for Direct Care Workers:   I led the successful budget initiative in 2001 for $1 per hour wage increases for direct care workers who serve developmentally disabled persons in community-based programs — among the lowest paid staff in social services.

Olmstead Implementation and Nursing Home Reform:  I am committed to developing a state plan for implementing the landmark United State Supreme Court decision in the case of Olmstead v. L.C. Ex Rel. Zimring (119 S. Ct. 2176), to allow persons with disabilities who currently live in institutions – seniors, the physically disabled, the developmentally disabled and persons with mental illness – to move to the least restrictive setting that is appropriate to their desires, needs and capacity.  In 2001, I researched and developed a plan for transitioning persons with mental illness from nursing homes called “Institutions for Mental Diseases” (IMDs) – a cost-effective approach since currently none of these costs qualify for Medicaid match. 
DISCUSSION PAPER

Special Recreational Districts: I enacted legislation in 2003 (now Public Act 93-612) to exempt special recreational districts from property tax caps in order to expand vital park services for children and adults with disabilities. With the additional requirements of the Americans for Disabilities Act, the tax caps had made it difficult for the districts to fund these necessary services.
Summary

Alternative treatment for persons with mental illness:  This legislation will allow a person to enter into a voluntary agreement for an order for alternative treatment or care and custody in a hearing concerning admission to a mental health facility.
Summary

District Issues

Economic Development

Construction Job Opportunities:   I sponsored the “Illinois FIRST Job Opportunities Initiative” in 1999-2000 for posting on the Internet available construction jobs and construction contracts for projects funded by the state.   This would allow more women and minority workers and contractors to enter the construction industry. 
Summary

Energy & Environment

Energy Efficient Building Code: In 2004, I sponsored legislation adopting a statewide energy efficiency building code for all new construction of commercial, industrial and institutional buildings and residential high-rises. The minor increase in cost due to the energy efficiency requirements will be made up in energy cost savings and reduced energy use. 
Summary
Fact Sheet

Clean Air:  I sponsored a House Resolution in 2001 to create the Subcommittee on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Resources Development and sponsored legislation creating a “Green Illinois” Procurement Code to promote energy-efficient state buildings.
Summary

Gas Deregulation:  I enacted legislation in 2002 to provide consumer protections and information to residential consumers and small businesses switching to alternative gas suppliers or requiring heating and air conditioning services.  Summary

Gas Pricing:   As Chair of the Special Committee on Gas Pricing, I examined the causes of the 2000 spikes in gasoline prices, and authored a report recommending continued use of “clean air” gasoline, fewer gasoline blends for the Midwest region, and a comprehensive energy policy that includes conservation, alternate fuels and reduced reliance on automobiles.
Gas Pricing Report

Open Space:  I enacted legislation to restore funding to two important open space preservation programs, the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Fund and the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF) after funding was cut as a short-term move to balance the budget.
Summary

Gaming

Gaming License Reform:   I sponsored legislation in 2002 requiring that, if any of the 10 existing riverboat licenses is revoked, terminated or not renewed by the Illinois Gaming Board, the license would be resold through an open, competitive bidding process, with all of the proceeds reaped by the State; if the license or any shares of the license are sold, a 30% Owners License Transfer Fee would be imposed.  The process would allow the State to recoup some of the profits from the lucrative licenses given to 10 groups of investors. 
Summary

Guns

Renewal of the Assault Weapon Ban: In 2004, I introduced House Resolution 656 urging Congress to renew the assault weapon ban and to strengthen it, before its expiration date of September 13, 2004. Assault weapons are not designed for hunting, but rather for the purpose to kill as many people possible in a short amount of time – now even more important considering that terrorist organizations have urged their recruits to take advantage of America's lax gun laws and arm themselves with these deadly weapons. Unfortunately, the federal ban was not extended, and we did not have the votes in the Illinois House to call the state resolution either.
Summary

Health Care

Consumer Guide to Health Care: I enacted legislation (now Public Act 93-144) to create the Consumer Guide to Health Care to provide comparison information, by hospital, on health care quality and charges for 30 medical procedures. The Consumer Guide will be in a user-friendly format and available through the State's website. This program is modeled after other states and is part of a national movement to help consumers select health care providers based on health quality data.
Summary

Public Health Response to Mosquito-Related Diseases: I sponsored legislation to provide almost $3 million in additional funds to local health departments to combat West Nile Virus by increasing the small fee on the sale of tires from $1 to $1.50.
Summary

Electronic Health Records Task Force: In a health care system where we see numerous doctors throughout our lifetime, each person should have an electronic health record replacing the hodgepodge of paper medical files – to improve patient care, increase the efficiency of medical practice and reduce medical errors. The Task Force will create a plan for moving us into the computer age – hopefully in time for $50 million in grants that the federal government is offering to states that are ready.
Summary

MRSA Screening And Reporting Act (2007):  MRSA is an infectious staph infection resistant to antibiotics, spread easily in hospitals, and carries serious even deadly health implications. The MRSA Screening and Reporting Act requires every hospital to establish a MRSA screening program for all patients in intensive care units and any other “at-risk” patients, then isolate and treat those patients This legislation also requires the IL Department of Public Health to compile all reported MRSA cases and make the information available on their website.
Summary

Illinois Safe Childbirth Act (2007):  This legislation allows for creation of 10 freestanding birth centers (FBC) in Illinois in order to make the birthing process more accessible and affordable for women with normal, uncomplicated and low-risk pregnancies. Amendments worked out with the Illinois State Medical Society and the Illinois Hospital Association provide that the FBC must be located within a ground travel time distance from a hospital that allows for an emergency caesarian delivery to be started within 30 minutes, if necessary.
Summary 

Housing

Visit juliehamos.org/housing for more information regarding housing issues in Springfield.

Housing and Urban Development Committee Final Report,
2004 Legislative Session

Housing and Urban Development Committee Final Report,
2003 Legislative Session

Comprehensive Housing Planning Act: I enacted legislation that requires the state to develop and update an annual comprehensive housing plan to address the needs of underserved populations such as low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. The Comprehensive Housing Planning Act codifies Governor Blagojevich's Executive Order 2003-18 and is the culmination of years of advocacy by housing organizations to encourage the development of affordable housing. This legislation ensures that future governors will follow the example of Governor Blagojevich and prioritize the housing needs of low-income families.
Summary

Federally Subsidized Housing Preservation Act: In 2004, I enacted legislation which will preserve affordable housing stock by requiring owners of buildings that receive a federal subsidy to notify their tenants of their intention to “opt-out” of the program and give tenants the first right to purchase the building at fair market rates.
Summary
Fact sheet

Homelessness Prevention:   I enacted legislation during my first term in 1999 to help families experiencing short-term emergencies with grants for delinquent rent, utility payments or security deposits.  In the first three years, the program prevented homelessness for more than 5,000 families. 
Summary

Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention:   In 2000, I sponsored the “Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance and Counseling Program Act” to provide financial counseling and short-term mortgage payments to families experiencing an emergency and facing the threat of mortgage foreclosure.  
Summary

Property Tax Protections for Homeowners:  I enacted legislation in 2000 to expand protection for homeowners who pay their property taxes on time but, due to bureaucratic error, have their taxes posted to the wrong index number and face losing their homes — inspired by Mrs. Willie Weeks, the Evanston homeowner who experienced this serious problem. 
Summary

Illinois Housing Initiative: I sponsored legislation, later enacted through Governor Blagojevich's Executive Order #18, to create the Illinois Housing Initiative (IHI), a five-year plan to spur more construction and rehab of affordable housing for our State's most underserved populations -- such as very low-income families and people with disabilities.  An interagency task force will develop an annual comprehensive housing plan, and report annually on progress being made to achieve the plan.  The IHI will pool a portion of available federal and state resources and streamline the application process. 
Summary
Click here to view the Executive Order in Adobe PDF format.

Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act: This legislation would clarify some of the outstanding issues from the previous version of the law under which local municipalities with less than 10% affordable housing have created housing plans, including: additional tools for local governments to develop more moderately-priced housing; intergovernmental agreements among municipalities as to how the 10% goals will be met; standards for review of appeals by the Housing Appeals Board; restriction on appeals to the Appellate Court to the district in which the local government involved in the appeal is located; creation of the a Housing Appeals Board as of January 1, 2008 rather than 2006.
Summary

Reproductive Rights

Access to contraceptives: While many health insurance plans cover prescription drugs, often contraceptives are not included. I worked with Rep. Sara Feigenholtz on legislation to require health plans that cover prescription drugs to expand coverage to include contraceptives. The goal of the legislation is to prevent unintended pregnancies by increasing access to reproductive health care.
Summary

Seniors

Self-Neglect Act: I enacted legislation that amends the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act by adding seniors who “self-neglect” to be able to receive services under this program. Following the example of 41 other states, the definition includes seniors who, because of physical or mental impairments or diminished capacity, are unable to perform self-care tasks so as to substantially threaten their own health. Multidisciplinary teams are directed to develop protocols for referring these cases to provider agencies, for accessing records and information, and for documenting the incidence of self-neglect cases.
Summary

Older Adult Services Act: In 2004, I sponsored comprehensive legislation that is intended to transform the long-term care system – by first offering home and community-based services that will enable seniors to live independently and remain out of nursing homes as long as possible. The state will create a comprehensive statewide network of services for seniors and their families with a uniform name, logo, and toll-free number; target funding to priority service are4as where programs need to be expanded or developed; and offer incentives to convert empty nursing home beds for community uses.
Summary
Update on long-term care reform

Prescription Drugs for Seniors:   I co-sponsored legislation in 2001-2002 to create the new Senior Citizen Drug Discount Program to allow seniors to leverage their group purchasing power and thereby receive the same low rates for drugs as is negotiated by the federal government. 

Social Services

Rate Increases for Social Service Providers:  I sponsored a bill to provide modest cost-of-doing business increases for social service providers in important programs serving children and families, including early intervention, family case management, and domestic violence. This effort was successful and resulted in a "Memorandum of Understanding" with the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.  The Governor's office committed to  include 3% cost-of-doing-business  funding in the Introduced Budget for fiscal year 2008, effective July 1, 2007.