A new report from AARP Illinois details how Illinois’ aging population faces significant disparities in access to health care and how those disparities are exacerbated on racial lines and by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The report, “Disrupt Disparities: Challenges & Solutions for 50+ Illinoisans of Color,” was developed in partnership with Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Chicago, the Chicago Urban League, and the Resurrection Project.

AARP Illinois President Rosanna Marquez provided an overview of the report to partners and media Monday. Joining her were also Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago), and Rep. Theresa Mah (D-Chicago).

Senior Illinoisans of color in the state are much more likely to suffer from chronic diseases and more likely to not have health insurance before becoming eligible for Medicare. They often also lack reliable transportation to health care providers and pharmacies, with White Illinoisans three times more likely to have access to a car.

Older Illinoisans of color were also twice as likely to still have mortgages on their homes and spend a disproportionately higher amount of their total income on housing overall. Those living on a fixed income must also deal with increasing costs of living while seeing no additional income.

Regarding the pandemic, Marquez said a disproportionate amount of vaccine doses administered so far have gone toward white individuals instead of others. Additionally, African American adults over 50 make up 18 percent of COVID-19 deaths despite making up 12.5 percent of the population. Hispanic Illinoisans make up 15 percent of the deaths despite making up just 8.6 percent of the population of the state. 

“While heartbreaking, these statistics are not surprising. They are evidence of long-standing inequities from the social conditions that lead to poor health, to unequal access to quality care, to limited economic resources, all of which have existed for years,” she said.

Additionally, she explained that the process for scheduling a vaccination appointment is especially difficult for seniors.

“We know that there's a digital divide issue; we've talked about connectivity. Many of our elders are not computer literate. … Many don’t have computers, and they don’t have a child or grandchild in the house to help them navigate the system,” she said.

The report proposed several policy recommendations that would help assist older Illinoisans financially, including expanding the Secure Choice program to smaller businesses, allowing employees to enroll in a Roth IRA; expanding the state earned income tax credit; and providing property tax relief for older Illinoisans who are often on a fixed income. 

On health issues, the report recommends expanding income-based health insurance options for residents 50 to 64 years old, expanding telehealth programs, and expanding long-term investment in health equity models and community-based health care organizations.

The report also recommends making the Illinois Broadband Council more representative of the racial make-up of the state and expanding broadband infrastructure in communities of color. Collins and others said they are in the process of filing legislation to address these issues and working with the AARP on bill language.





Allison Richard
Legislative Consultant

Republicans leaders in both the House and Senate Tuesday announced the introduced of three proposed changes to the Illinois Constitution that they say would give voters direct power over their representatives in the Legislature and the laws they pass. 

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) and Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) outlined the legislation, which would expand the ability of citizens to put constitutional amendments on the ballot, allow citizens to repeal a Legislature-approved law by referendum, and allow citizens to recall any elected officials in the state, excluding judges but including the Senate President, Speaker of the House, and Auditor General. 

“At all levels, my constituents feel powerless in what they can do, because they feel that the system stacked against them. These voter empowerment initiatives and constitutional amendments are designed to empower our constituents around the state of Illinois, and to ensure that our government is effective, efficient, and that the people who represent Illinois, are accountable to [the people],” said Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield), who is the sponsor of HC4, HC5, and HC6 in the House. 

McConchie is the sponsor of the sister legislation SC1, SC2, and SC3 in the Senate. 

Under HC5 and SC1, a petition to place a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot would need to be signed by 8 percent of voters from most recent gubernatorial election. 

The recall amendments, SC3 and HC4, would also make allow to recall of executive branch officers beyond the governor, and would bar those individuals from holding that office for 10 years if recalled. Recall initiatives would be specific to the voting districts to which the officer pertains, except for statewide offices, and would take place during the next regularly scheduled election. 

The leaders said they were hopeful they could work with their Democratic counterparts to negotiate around these issues, whether through the legislation or through the chamber’s rules process. 

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

Illinois legislators are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the move was initiated by members of the Legislature reaching out to the governor and the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“Many legislators asked if they could be vaccinated, because there is so much work to be done. … We need the state of Illinois and its legislature and government to function. We can’t wait. We had seven months or so, or even longer, without legislation from May all the way through lame duck session. Now I believe that we’ll be able to move forward,” Pritzker said at a vaccination event in Champaign.

Pritzker said he would not be receiving the vaccine ahead of any others in the schedule. 
House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Westchester) praised the move in a statement:

“I commend the Governor’s decision to allow state legislators to get the COVID-19 vaccine in the 1B phase. While part of my job as Speaker is to relay the range of opinions among all House members, it was important that this decision rest with the Governor and his team of health experts. The issues and challenges facing the General Assembly are enormous, so this is a welcomed step in the interest of government functionality and safety. Whether or not to get a vaccine is a personal choice for every member, but I encourage those who are at-risk or have vulnerable family members to strongly consider it.”

Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) called the move “ridiculous,” noting that he recently had a meeting with a constituent who has receive an organ transplant and is on immunosuppressive medications.

“They are very vulnerable to COVID-19, but because they're under 65, there is zero mechanism -- there is no ability for them to be able to get the vaccine, even if their doctor says their life depends upon it,” he said.

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) agreed, saying legislators should not be able to “leapfrog” others in the public who are eligible.

Allison Richard

Please see below, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) announced his leadership team for the 102nd General Assembly.

The team includes the following members:

Rep. Dan Brady (R-Normal) - Deputy Minority Leader

Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) - Deputy Minority Leader

Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Pontiac) - Assistant Minority Leader

Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Litchfield) - Assistant Minority Leader

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) - Assistant Minority Leade

Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) - Assistant Minority Leader

Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Westmont) - Assistant Minority Leader

Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) - Assistant Minority Leader

Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-North Aurora) - Assistant Minority Leader

Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) - Republican Conference Chair

Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) - Republican Floor Leader

Allison F. Richard

Legislative Consultant

Two Illinois regions have improved their COVID-19 metrics enough to again loosen restrictions on businesses and other activities, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced. 

Regions 7 (Will and Kankakee counties) and 11 (Chicago) have moved into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, allowing for indoor service at bars and restaurants in parties of up to 10 people. 

Retail, service, indoor recreation, and other businesses are able to open with 50 percent occupancy limits. Museums may operate with a 25 percent occupancy limit. Meetings and social events can be held with the lesser of 50 people or 50 percent of an indoor space’s capacity.

 

Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 11 are now in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, while regions 8, 9, and 10 still face tier 1 mitigations. Region 4 (Southwest Illinois) is under tier 2 mitigations. 

Allison F. Richard

Legislative Consultant

House Republicans Wednesday asked Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto recently passed legislation that makes significant changes to the state’s criminal justice system, including elimination of cash bail. 

Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) said that 101-HB3653 (Slaughter), which was passed by both the House and the Senate during the last days of the state’s lame duck session, was hastily approved and lacks the support of many in the criminal justice system.

 

“Elimination of cash bail in creating a presumption of individual recognizance in this form is misguided and will have an immediate negative effect on public safety. Public safety is the state's greatest responsibility to its citizens above all. The elimination of cash bail basically says that we respect the honor system for violent criminals and gang members,” Durkin said. 

Durkin and Reps. Patrick Windhorst (R-Harrisburg) and David Friess (R-Red Bud) were joined by Joe Moon, President of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #41. Moon said that he and other law enforcement members are not wholly opposed to parts of the bill, including sections requiring the use of body cameras and additional training for officers. However, he even those can become unfunded mandates on small agencies.

“The problem with this bill in that aspect is that it's not a one-size-fits-all [issue]. There are small agencies that can't afford the training -- can't afford the cameras. Cameras are a great thing; nine times out of 10, they're going to protect my officers and they will be exonerated of a lot of allegations based on their training and their ability to do their job,” Moon said.

He additionally said many of the provisions of the bill will hurt police morale, leading some that have reached retirement age to chose retirement over continuing to work. 

Windhorst and Durkin said that they are interested in reforming cash bail and pre-trial sentencing so that defendants who cannot afford to make bail on non-violent charges are not detained unfairly.

However, they said that this bill would make it too easy for courts to allow violent offenders to walk free where they may re-offend, pointing to cases in Cook County and other states that have all or partly eliminated cash bail.  

Durkin said he questions the mission of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office after they supported the bill, given that he previously worked as a prosecutor in that office. 

Durkin also commented on the recent cancellation of upcoming House meetings saying that he had spoken to House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Westchester) over the weekend. He said he was pleased that the Democratic caucus plans to work with Republicans to adjust House rules to allow remote committee meetings, but said that the Legislature still has the ability to meet in-person in a healthy and safe manner while the pandemic continues. 

Allison F. Richard

Legislative Consultant

As COVID-19 assistance programs begin to expand under the new administration of President Joe Biden, Gov. J.B. Pritzker Friday said the state will help small businesses in navigating federal loan and grant programs offering financial relief. 

Pritzker said that the state’s small business development centers will be hosting webinars and virtual office hours in the coming weeks that will help businesses apply for the additional $280 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, as well as the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program offered through the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

“We know from past rounds that the federal PPP has presented tremendous barriers for very small businesses and those that are minority owned, since both tend not to have the in-house navigation expertise of larger corporations. … I’ve directed my administration to provide community navigators through our small business development centers to work directly with our business owners, helping them access the dollars they deserve,” Pritzker said. 

Regarding COVID-19 vaccination, Pritzker said that he remains “troubled” by the slow pace of vaccine distribution through the federal pharmacy partnership program set up by former President Donald Trump. 

The governor said the first days of the administration of President Joe Biden have given him hope that vaccine production will ramp up. Biden has invoked the federal Defense Production Act to speed up vaccine manufacturing and is requesting Congress approve funding for expanded vaccinations centers and hiring public health workers. 

As Illinois officially opens vaccine eligibility to Illinoisans 65 and older on Jan. 25, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike requested those newly eligible to have some patience due to the low vaccine supply. Additionally, she said the department will be setting up a website that will link those eligible to either local departments of public health or vaccination partners in order to schedule their vaccination appointment. She said availability of those appointments will vary between different regions of the state. 

Ezike also introduced newly updated COVID-19 safety guidelines for sports participation that will allow all conference sports to be played in those regions that have reached COVID-19 metrics that have allowed them to exit tiered mitigation and return to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. Currently, that includes regions 3, 5, and 6, all in the central or southern part of the state. 

Ezike stressed that safety precautions are still necessary, noting the more contagious COVID-19 variant, saying, “Reduced mitigation does not mean abandoned mitigation. Businesses, restaurants, events, and activities still need to have reduced capacities. People still need to avoid large events. We still need to use our masks all the time. We know that these things worked. It’s just a plain fact.” 

Addressing concerns about vaccination “line-jumping” that some have reported around the state, Ezike said that most vaccinations are being done in a manner consistent with state and federal guidelines. However, she said that IDPH does not have the capacity to track every individual who receives a vaccine, saying, “We can’t work towards the exception. We’re working for the greater good of the masses.” 

Allison F. Richard

Legislative Consultant

The following is a recently introduced bill in the Illinois House of Representatives.

HB202 FIREFIGHTER TRAINING-HISTORY (Hurley F) Amends the Illinois Fire Protection Training Act. In provisions requiring fire fighters to complete training relating to the history of the fire service labor movement, provides that "fire fighter" includes fire fighters hired by the Chicago Fire Department. Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Frances Ann Hurley

Please be advised the following bill was recently introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives.

HB180 WARRIOR-STYLE TRAINING BANNED (Flowers M) Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, police training schools approved by the Board, law enforcement agencies, and units of local government may not initiate, administer, or conduct training programs that include warrior-style training, either directly or through a third party. Provides that the Board may not reimburse a law enforcement agency or unit of local government for any portion of training programs that include warrior-style training. Provides that law enforcement agencies and units of local government may not indemnify or otherwise provide liability protection for a peace officer for liability arising from the use of tactics derived from warrior-style training. Defines "warrior-style" training. Preempts home rule. Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to make conforming changes. Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Mary E. Flowers

Letitia Dewith-Anderson, J.D.

Anderson Legislative Consulting, Ltd., President

Three regions of the Restore Illinois Plan will now begin to roll back COVID-19 safety restrictions on businesses and gatherings as COVID-19 positivity rates slowly decline.

Regions 1, Northern Illinois; Region 2, North Central Illinois; and Region 5, Southern Illinois are now able to move down from tier 3 restrictions to tier 2 restrictions, which allows group fitness classes to resume, low-risk sports to be played, and the re-opening of cultural sites like museums with limited capacity.

Additionally, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that regions reaching the necessary metrics to move down into tier 1 will be allowed to open bars, restaurants, and other hospitality locations to the lesser of 25 people or 25 percent capacity.

“The trajectory of the data in each region has given Dr. [Ngozi] Ezike and I some confidence that a careful and limited reopening of bars and restaurants in regions that have attained tier one will not lead to a resurgence. … Bars and Restaurants have carried an extremely heavy burden throughout this public health crisis through no fault of their own,” Pritzker said.

In a statement, Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia said that this step is helps, but “falls short of the restaurant industry’s critical needs and expectations.”

Ezike from the Illinois Department Public Health confirmed that the state has seen its first case of the UK-originated COVID-19 variant, which has shown to be more contagious. Ezike urged all Illinoisans to continue to follow safety guidelines to prevent the variant’s spread.

Pritzker said that the state is officially moving into phase 1B of its vaccination plan on Jan. 25, which includes opening vaccination up to those ages 65 and older. Beginning Jan. 18, Illinois National Guard mobile teams will begin operating vaccination sites in regions across the state, followed by vaccination sites at third-party pharmacies, urgent care locations, and doctor's offices.

Please find attached the Governor’s press release on indoor dining and the next phase of vaccination administration as well as an updated Illinois Resurgence Mitigation Plan. 

Allison F. Richard