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Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
4:06pm
Thu Jul 12, 2012

First Pension-Related Lawsuits Hit Springfield

They were two lawsuits filed this week in Sangamon County, home of Springfield, that challenges reductions in health care payments made to state employees and retirees. The lawsuits claim that legislation Quinn signed into law last month concerning state worker health care premiums violates the pension clause of Illinois’ constitution.

Even if the lawsuits are unsuccessful, they may complicate stalled efforts to reduce pension benefits. “Illinois has an unusually strong constitutional provision,” says Ron Snell, a senior fellow at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), who has studied state efforts to reduce pension costs. Read more »

Quick Hit
by Steven Ross Johnson
1:49pm
Mon Jul 9, 2012
1 comment

Local Health Advocates Press Quinn For Illinois Health Exchange

Emboldened by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling last month that upheld key elements within President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act of 2010, health reform advocates recently called on Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn to move quickly toward establishing a state-run health insurance exchange prior to the federal government’s January 1 deadline.

More than a hundred health, education and labor groups signed a letter sent to Gov. Quinn last week asking him to issue an executive order to implement an exchange in light of the Illinois General Assembly’s inability to develop a plan prior to the conclusion of its spring session in May.

Read more »

Quick Hit
by Michael Sandler
2:29pm
Tue Jul 3, 2012
1 comment

Link Access At Illinois Farmers Markets To Go Wireless

A $182,000 federal grant from the United States Department of Agriculture could provide up to 150 Illinois farmers’ markets with free wireless machines that accept debit, credit and Link cards.

The Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Wireless Project is aiming to expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables for Illinois’ low-income residents. Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon originally announced the plan, and Simon’s spokeswoman Kathryn Phillips told Progress Illinois that farmers markets must apply for the grant by July 9 (go here to apply). Illinois’ wireless EBT project is part of a $4 million nationwide effort by the United States Department of Agriculture to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) use at farmers’ markets.

Read more »

PI Original
by Matthew Blake
1:38pm
Tue Jul 3, 2012
3 comments

Disability Advocates Support Clinic Closings

Health Care

Gov. Pat Quinn’s plan to close two state centers for the developmentally disabled has angered some lawmakers and the state’s main public employees union. But advocates for the developmentally disabled believe Quinn’s move will actually help the lives of hundreds of disabled residents.

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
6:14pm
Thu Jun 28, 2012
2 comments

Digging Deeper Into The State Budget Process

Gov. Pat Quinn has decided to close several state correctional facilities in addition to shutting down the Tinley Park Mental Health Center and Jacksonville Developmental Center, as we have previously reported.

But how can Quinn order these shut downs after the General Assembly passed a budget with money to keep them open? What power does Quinn have and what powers do lawmakers have? Read more »