News from State Senator Heather Steans

Senator Heather Steans: Key Health Insurance Reform Becomes Law

2010-01-06T12:02:00.000-08:00

Springfield, IL - Today, State Senator Heather Steans (D-7th Chicago),
along with her Senate colleagues, joined Governor Pat Quinn at a bill
signing for House Bill 3923, which is designed to promote health
insurance fairness.

House Bill 3923 establishes an independent review process for carriers
who have denied claims and makes it easier for small businesses to apply
for health insurance. It also sets up a committee that will be
responsible for creating a standard heath insurance application for
individual and small employer policies. The committee will be comprised
of the Director of the Department of Illinois Insurance, consumers and
representatives of the health insurance industry and the standard
application must be completed by January 1, 2011. In addition, House
Bill 3923 will increase insurance companies' reporting requirements to
the Department of Insurance by requiring each of these companies to
report their administrative expenses.

"This new law ensures that Illinoisans who pay for private insurance are
better protected from unfair and inconsistent health insurance industry
practices," Steans said. "This law also gives the Department of
Insurance an additional tool to examine and study the rising costs of
health insurance."
According to a report by AARP, which is a strong proponent of this
legislation, in the private market, an average annual premium for a
family of four has risen to nearly $5,500, while an individual premium
costs $2,500 in Illinois. A recent AARP study found that adults aged
50-64 spend roughly 10% of their income on health coverage, and pay
three times as much as their peers with employer-sponsored coverage.
"As more Illinois residents lose their employer-based health insurance,
they must turn to the private industry; however, many times the
application process can be so confusing that people are unable to get
the proper coverage they need," Steans said. "This new law creates an
even playing field and ensures that all Illinoisans who have to purchase
private insurance plans have easier access to the quality health care
they need."

Senator Steans, Representative Harris, and Governor Quinn discuss the signing of HB3923 at a press conference on January 5 before the bill was signed.

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Nursing homes and the mentally ill: State Senate will hold hearing on improving safety

2009-11-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

Read the Chicago Tribune story on the Senate Public Health and Human Services Committees joint nursing home hearing.

By David Jackson and Gary Marx Tribune reporters

November 5, 2009

State senators will hold a hearing Thursday in Chicago to examine ways to improve safety at nursing homes, where a high number of felons with mental illness has led to reports of assaults, rape and even murder.

Legislators will hear testimony from experts, government officials and the public in considering "what laws we can strengthen and what laws we can enforce better," as well as more sweeping measures that could reverse Illinois' reliance on nursing homes to house younger adults with mental illness and criminal records, said Ron Holmes, a spokesman for the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Holmes added that state lawmakers "are definitely trying to work together as much as we can" with Gov. Pat Quinn's newly formed Nursing Home Safety Task Force. Holmes said he expects legislation to flow from the collaboration.

"There will be bills out there," he said.

One scheduled participant, Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, noted that her North Side district has among the highest concentrations of mentally ill nursing-home residents in the state.

"The observations and comments I have received from constituents are alarming," Steans wrote in an e-mail this week encouraging constituents to attend the hearing. "I am concerned that our current mental health system is not always providing quality treatment for the mentally ill and creates safety hazards for both patients and our community."

The joint Senate human services and public health committees hearing will begin at 11 a.m. at the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St. The event was prompted by a Tribune series that exposed the dangerous mix of elderly residents and mentally ill felons in nursing facilities.

dyjackson@tribune.com

gmarx@tribune.com

Senator Heather Steans Passes Key Health Insurance Reform Legislation

2009-11-06T14:11:00.000-08:00

Picture: Heather Steans with Representative Greg Harris and Emily Miller from PIRG hold a press conference on the health insurance reform bill.

Springfield, IL - Today a measure that promotes health insurance fairness sponsored by State Senator Heather Steans (D-7th Chicago) and Representative Greg Harris (D-13th Chicago) moves to the governor's desk to be signed into law.

The Individual Health Insurance Fairness Act (House Bill 3923), establishes an independent review process for carriers who have denied claims and makes it easier for small businesses to apply for health insurance by creating a standard application for all insurance companies. In addition, this measure requires insurance companies to place more information online so consumers can see how their premium dollars are spent.

“This new legislation provides far better protection for people who have private health insurance and also improves the access and quality of health care in Illinois,” Steans said. “It also ensures that Illinoisans are better protected from unfair and inconsistent health insurance industry practices.”

According to a report by AARP, which is also a strong proponent of this legislation, in the private market, an average annual premium for a family of four has risen to nearly $5,500, while an individual premium costs $2,500 in Illinois. A recent AARP study found that adults aged 50-64 spend roughly 10% of their income on health coverage, and pay three times as much as their peers with employer-sponsored coverage.

“With more and more Illinois citizens losing their employer based health insurance, they must turn to the private industry; however, many times these unfair practices make it even harder for people to get the care they need,” Steans said. “This is about fairness and making sure that all Illinoisans who have to purchase private insurance plans have easier access and the quality health care they need.”

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Heather Steans Wins Awards

2009-10-30T13:36:00.000-07:00

Heather was honored on October 19, 2009, by the Illinois Council against Handgun Violence (ICHV) for her work in the Illinois General Assembly.

The ICHV presented Heather with its Legislative Advocacy Award for sponsoring and passing a bill which requires law enforcement officials to revoke a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card or deny an application for the card, when a person is subject to an order of protection. This measure (HB 3991) closed a significant loophole in Illinois law and was signed into law in August 2009.

For 35 years, the ICHV has been an innovative leader in creating programs to raise public awareness and mobilize people to take action to reduce death and injury from gun violence. Once a year, ICHV takes the opportunity to recognize outstanding individuals who have been dedicated to reducing gun violence.

In September, Heather was honored by the American Heart Association’s Midwest Affiliate for her leadership on legislation to help stroke patients receive more immediate, specialized care.

Heather received the Legislative Lifesaver Award prior to the organization’s Metro Chicago Start! Heart Walk in Grant Park.

“I’m truly humbled by this honor,” Senator Steans said. “But as a senator, it is my job to make sure that people across Illinois have access to the best possible healthcare during the most critical times.”

This law created a stroke care working group to identify Primary Care Stroke Centers as well as Emergent Stroke Ready Hospitals throughout Illinois. A Primary Stroke Center means a hospital is certified by an approved, nationally-recognized certified body. An Emergent Stroke Ready Hospital is a hospital that meets the criteria for providing emergent stroke care.

This will allow stroke patients to be taken to specialized facilities immediately, rather than the nearest emergency centers that might not be properly equipped to handle their medical needs.

“It is fitting to honor Senator Heather Steans without Legislative LifeSaver award for championing this important law,” said Dr. Kathleen Grady, chairperson of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Illinois Advocacy Committee. “Because of her work, some people who would have lost their ability to walk or talk due to a stroke will now fully recover.”

Heather Steans Veto Analysis on Chicago Tonight

2009-10-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

Click here to watch my October 19 appearance on Chicago Tonight.

Senator Heather Steans files Equal Marriage legislation

2009-10-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

State Senator Heather Steans (D-7th) on Thursday filed the Equal Marriage Act, marking the first time such a bill had been introduced in the Illinois Senate. Senator Steans made the announcement at a press conference at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago where she was joined by State Representative Greg Harris (D-13th) and Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois.

"In Illinois, same-sex couples have to fight to visit each other in hospitals, make health care decisions, and raise children together every day of their lives," Senator Steans said. "Common decency and the U.S. Constitution demands that this changes."

Harris has introduced Civil Unions and Same-Sex Marriage bills in the House each session for each of the past two General Assemblies.

"This is an important step that we’re taking today to have both chambers working in unison to get basic equality and fairness for all of our citizens," Harris said.

Steans said the time for equal marriage rights is now, and noted that the issue is no longer a coastal one. Five progressive states Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and our neighboring, Iowa – now have full marriage equality. In Maine, voters will go to the polls to decide whether equal rights should be granted to same-sex couples.

"Marriage is a civil right – plain and simple," said Bernard Cherkasov, Chief Executive Officer of Equality Illinois. "The state cannot have a civil institution of marriage - with its plethora of benefits, rights, and responsibilities – and exclude from it an entire class of citizens."

In 2004, an ABC/Washington Post poll showed just 32 percent of Americans favoring gay marriage. Now, 49 percent support it, versus 46 percent opposed – the first time in ABC/Post polls where supporters outnumbered opponents. Moreover, 53 percent believe equal marriages held legally in another state should be recognized as legal in their state.

"Illinois should be on the cutting edge of this fight as well, " Senator Steans said.

"This Bill will clarify equal marriage rights for same-sex couples across Illinois – a right that is already enshrined in our constitutional language and traditions," she said. "We ask you to join this battle for freedom for all families by contacting your state legislators and asking them to join on as co-sponsors of this legislation."

Low Profit Limited Liability Company Legislation Profiled in the Chicago Tribune

2009-08-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

Click here to read an article in the Chicago Tribune about low-profit limited liability companies.

New corporate structure could give social entrepreneurs new funding stream

By Ann Meyer
August 10, 2009

After nearly four decades of running a staffing agency on a shoestring budget, John Plunkett hopes the next business he starts will be a moneymaker thanks to a new law that recognizes for-profit businesses with a strong social bent.

The law, signed by Gov. Pat Quinn last week, allows the incorporation of low-profit, limited-liability companies, or L3Cs, a new hybrid structure for for-profit ventures that have a primary goal of achieving a socially beneficial purpose...

The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, aims to make it easier for social enterprises to attract capital, said Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), who sponsored the bill.

“Foundations have a growing interest to not only make grants that achieve a social purpose but also use investments to do that,” Steans said.

Click here to read the full article.

Senator Steans Explains Her NO Vote on the Budget on WTTW's Chicago Tonight

2009-07-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Click here to watch the video.

Senator Steans Discusses 2008 Legislative Issues on Chicago Tonight

2008-09-15T14:50:00.000-07:00

Click here to watch Heather on Chicago Tonight.

Steans Visits Macon County as Part of the Farm Bureau's "Adopt a Legislator Program"

2008-06-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

Read "Surprisingly dry: Chicagoan learns soil, ag economics lessons" in the Decatur Herald and Review.

CHRIS LUSVARDI

H&R Staff Writer

DALTON CITY State Sen. Heather Steans was surprised to see dry ground Thursday during a tour of two Macon County farms. After all the rain she had heard about damaging crops this spring, she was expecting the ground to be more visibly saturated. As it turns out, the dirt is starting to crack from dryness on the surface, and farmers actually are wishing for more rain after a couple of weeks of relatively dry weather.

After all the rain and here things are dry again, Steans said. How fast things change.

Steans, a first-term Democrat from Chicago, was touring Emmett Sefton's farm near Hervey City as part of the Illinois Farm Bureau's Adopt-A-Legislator program. The program brings together Chicago lawmakers with downstate farmers.

It was the first time such a tour had taken place in Macon County. Steans also toured Mike and Karyn Hortin's farm near Harristown, seeing more livestock during that time.

Sefton showed Steans and her children, Ryan, Sam and Abby Smith, how the corn is starting to catch up to where it normally is this time of year. But he said he lost about 10 percent of his acres, and more rain is needed for the surviving to crops to reach full potential.

Macon County Farm Bureau President Dave Carr, who helped conduct the tour with Executive Director Tim Stock, said he hasn't lost as much of his crop as Sefton, but rain usually is welcome to farmers. The ground, he said, still has a lot of moisture below the surface.

"The corn is looking good. It's coming back," Carr said.

Steans said seeing firsthand how a farm operates will benefit her going back to Chicago and working in Springfield.

"(Farmers are) also suffering from the high prices, too," Steans said. "They have a lot of stuff they're not controlling. I don't think people in the city understand that."

She said lawmakers in Springfield need to compromise more.

She represents the northernmost lakefront district in Chicago, one of the most densely populated districts in the state.

"I can talk to them about issues, knowing why they vote a certain way and understanding their issues so I can work with them," Steans said.

The program is one of the most important ones the Farm Bureau has, said Christina Nourie, a legislative coordinator for the Farm Bureau. She said the farmers will be invited to Chicago to see issues facing urban residents.

Sefton will readily accept the invitation when it comes.

"I'm not afraid to get out of my shell here," he said. "They don't realize what we do, and until you see it firsthand, it makes a big difference. I think it's something her and her kids won't forget."

Senator Steans Passes Alcoholic Energy Drink Warning Label Legislation

2008-06-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

Picture: Senator Heather Steans and Senator Collins hold a press conference on flavored tobacco and alcoholic energy drink legislation.

Read "Legislative session ends with more than 270 bills sent to governor" in the Chicago Tribune on June 5, 2008.

"Yet another bill designed to protect the young was embraced, this one requiring energy drinks that have booze in them to carry warning labels. Sponsoring Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) said she hopes to protect some young adults who buy the mixes without realizing the drinks contain alcohol."

Read Lawmaker says energy drinks need better warning labels in the Daily Journal.

"The products' colorful, hip packaging is too similar to that of popular energy sodas and can confuse consumers and retailers, said state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago....

Some of the alcoholic energy drinks pumped with caffeine, ginseng, guarana and taurine have alcohol levels greater than beer and some wines. While alcohol content is listed on the can, Steans said the words are too small or not written out."

Read "The buzz over alcoholic energy drinks
Some lawmakers pushing for stricter labeling requirements on specialized beverages"
in the Daily Herald.

"The confused consumer doesn't understand there is alcohol in these," said state Sen. Heather Steans, a Chicago Democrat and one proposal's sponsor. "It's just not that evident on this can that it's alcohol."