SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement after voting to pass the state’s FY23 budget:

“Our budget continues to make the critical investments needed to improve our health care system. With over $150 million in combined funding for Medicaid expansion and nursing home assessment, we are overhauling how Illinois spends its money to prioritize quality of care for patients.

“To provide stability to our most vulnerable neighbors, $25 million is available for homelessness prevention services through the Department of Human Services. Overall, this year’s budget builds upon the responsible spending decisions we’ve made over the past few years to enhance the systems and services that working people rely on.”

SPRINGFIELD – To recognize the critical role of women in U.S. Armed Forces, State Senators Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) and Jil Tracy (R-Quincy), co-chairs of the Senate Women’s Caucus, are sponsoring a resolution to declare June 12 as Women’s Veterans Day in Illinois.

“Women have sacrificed much for our nation while serving at home and abroad,” Gillespie said. “We are grateful for their service and honor the contributions of the over two million women veterans who have served our country.”

Read more: June 12 declared Women’s Veterans Day in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – To provide continuous coverage and expand services for people enrolled in Medicaid, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate to create an automatic renewal process for qualifying individuals.

“Working families need stability more than ever, especially when it comes to health care coverage,” Gillespie said. “Removing the bureaucratic burdens these families face will ensure they remain covered once enrolled.”

Under current law, individuals receiving Medicaid benefits must report changes in income during the 12 months following their approval or last redetermination. House Bill 4343 would remove this reporting requirement during that time, allowing for continuity of coverage for those whose work hours and income aren’t consistent each month. The legislation would also automatically re-enroll individuals with zero income.

Read more: Gillespie expands Medicaid services, cuts red tape for re-enrollment

SPRINGFIELD – To keep up with new technology used in car thefts, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation to modernize criminal law relating to possession of burglary tools.

“Car thefts are becoming more frequent and sophisticated with advances in technology,” Gillespie said. “We must provide the legal remedies that law enforcement need to take down these increasingly organized rings of car thieves.”

House Bill 601 modernizes the definition of the possession of burglary tools offense to include devices designed to unlock or start a vehicle without a key and devices designed to capture or duplicate a signal from a key fob. Car thieves have exploited new technology that can pick up the RFID signal from a key fob at a distance, allowing a victim’s vehicle to be unlocked or stolen even while the fob remains in their home. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Illinois saw a 13% increase in car thefts from 2019-2020.

House Bill 601 passed the Illinois Senate and awaits further consideration in the Illinois House.