Your AARP: Illinois

November 2009

Restore public faith — As a member of the Change Illinois coalition, AARP is calling for meaningful campaign finance reform.

In August Gov. Pat Quinn, D, vetoed House Bill 7, which the coalition called "a well intentioned but flawed" attempt to rein in the potentially corrupting influence of unregulated campaign contributions. The proposed law would have set unusually high contribution limits, benefited incumbents by applying those limits to a calendar year rather than an election cycle, and imposed no oversight or penalties for violations.

Illinois is one of only four states that do not limit campaign contributions. A 2007 report from New York University's Brennan Center for Justice said Illinois has the weakest campaign finance laws among five Midwestern states.

To help AARP keep pressure on the governor and legislators to enact real campaign finance reform in 2010, call 1-800-719-3020.

October 2009

Full disclosure — Lawmakers are considering a bill (HB 3923) that would require the state's health insurance companies to publicly report how much they spend on health care and to justify their profits and premium hikes. In addition, the measure would give the state Office of Patient Protection authority to establish an external review process for denied insurance claims and steep premium increases.

The House and Senate both passed the bill, but the House must concur with Senate changes before sending the measure to Gov. Pat Quinn, D, this month.

To urge your state representative to support these reforms, call AARP's health care hotline at 1-800-664-9903.

September 2009

For consumers — State residents struggling with rising utility rates received relief in July, when Gov. Pat Quinn, D, signed into law a bill limiting utility charges to low-income households to no more than 6 percent of their income.

The new law is one of  three pieces of legislation that AARP backed during the recent session. The other two bills passed both houses of the General Assembly and now await the governor's signature. SB 1682 would protect people who purchase advance funeral contracts. SB 1920 would establish a commission to recommend procedures for relocating mobile homes and minimizing hardships for owner/occupants when a mobile-home park is sold. Go to www.aarp.org/il to learn more.

July-August 2009

Saving services — AARP Illinois has set up a toll-free hotline for members to urge legislators to oppose funding cuts in long-term care and in-home services for older residents.

The General Assembly in May passed a budget that eliminates the Elder Abuse and Neglect Program, as well as the Circuit Breaker program, which provides prescription-drug and property-tax assistance. The budget also cuts by half the funding for the Community Care Program. More than 271,000 older residents depend on these state programs and services.

Although it passed, the governor could still veto the budget. To urge legislators to fully fund home- and community-based care, call 1-888-616-3322 toll-free.

June 2009

Insurance reform — AARP Illinois is pushing for health care reforms that would require insurance companies to invest 75 percent of premiums in medical care, rather than executives' salaries or marketing. The bill would also make it easier for small businesses and the self-employed to afford health insurance, and would create an office of consumer protection to help individuals review their claims.

The bill (HB 3923) passed the House in April and now awaits action in the Senate.

Since the recession began in 2007, 3.5 million state residents have been uninsured at one time or another, with almost 73 percent of them uninsured for six months or more. Nearly 650 residents lost their jobs daily in December, many of them losing employer-provided health care as well.

To urge your state senator to pass HB 3923, call 1-800-664-9903.

May 2009

Better government — As part of the Change Illinois coalition, AARP Illinois supports campaign finance reform as a way to fight political corruption and make sure the people's voice is heard. Illinois is one of only five states in the nation without limits on campaign contributions.

In a recent poll, more than seven out of 10 Illinois residents favored tougher campaign finance laws that would ban contributions from corporations and unions and limit the amount of money individuals could give.

The coalition is urging the Illinois General Assembly to pass legislation establishing campaign contribution limits. To tell state legislators you support such limits, call the Change Illinois hotline at 1-800-719-3020.