REPORT FROM THE LEGISLATURE

March 9, 2005

Special to juliehamos.org

 

Hello to all. The spring legislative session is underway, and I wanted to report on my legislative activities as well as other issues being considered.

This year I was appointed to chair the new Committee on Mass Transit. Not only is the CTA facing severe service cuts and layoffs, but the suburbs and downstate communities also recognize the need for increased transit. My committee is undertaking a vigorous analysis of the transit funding formula that has not been reviewed in 22 years. We're also hoping to support statewide transit expansion plans for the next ten years. In the meantime, we just passed legislation that finally will allow bicycles on Metra!

I continue to serve on the Energy & Environment Committee, and also as a member of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. I've introduced legislation (HB 1485) that would respond to the challenging problem of “ invasive species ” -- fish that are brought into the Great Lakes by international shippers, that are threatening to harm our ecosystem and destroy commercial fishing. The federal government is not doing enough to regulate these aquatic invasive species, so our National Caucus is introducing similar legislation in a number of Great Lakes states.

I was appointed to the Telecommunications Committee, which will have the difficult assignment of reviewing or changing the law as related to local, long distance and high-speed internet service. Four years ago, I served on the blue ribbon committee that evaluated the entire system, and I became the chief sponsor of our far-reaching comprehensive law. Our goal was to open competition to better serve consumers. Now the entire industry has changed, and the state law is under review again.

I have introduced the first bill in Illinois on paid family leave. The Family Leave Insurance Program (HB 3470), 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. This legislation values the support that family members can give to one another while balancing their work responsibilities.

I am sponsoring legislation creating the Electronic Health Records Task Force (HB 2345). 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.

Too many pro-gun bills are now moving through committee and are awaiting House action. At least 3 bills (HB 478, 936, 937) actually pre-empt local ordinances that regulate guns. Last year the “ Wilmette bill” created an affirmative defense for self-defense in a municipal prosecution, but HB 578 would nullify the local ordinance if it did not contain a self-defense provision in the first place. We also have to defeat two bills allowed “concealed/carry” (HB 2567, 2607).

The big issue in Springfield is the state budget. The Governor is again grappling with a $1.2 billion budget hole. Three escalating costs in state government are creating a long-term “structural” deficit: Medicaid for the poor, health insurance for state employees, and public pensions. The education budget is hurting too, although I do not believe that we are ready to tackle comprehensive school funding reform this spring.

If you have questions or concerns, please call me at 847-424-9898 or, better yet, e-mail me at julie@juliehamos.org .