ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement after President Joe Biden called for nursing home reform in his State of the Union address on Tuesday:

“President Biden noted tonight that too many nursing homes continue to provide an unacceptably low quality of care, despite receiving billions of state and federal dollars. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an already troubling situation and showed how at risk nursing home residents are when quality and staffing levels fall.

“The president is right in saying that these conditions are unacceptable. Linking funding to actual improvements in staffing and quality of care, and transparency in ownership are two of the president’s proposals that we are already working on at home in Illinois. I am proud to join Rep. Anna Moeller in sponsoring pending legislation that will implement reforms called for by President Biden tonight.

“These changes to how nursing homes deliver care and staff their facilities are paramount to the wellbeing of both residents and staff.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) and State Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) will host a blood drive with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois on Tuesday, March 8 from 1 to 6 p.m. at Heritage Park, located at 506 W. Victoria Ln. in Arlington Heights.

Read more: Walker and Gillespie Invite Residents to Participate in Community Blood Drive March 8

SPRINGFIELD – Two measures to assist social workers with earning and paying off their degrees, introduced by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights), passed the Illinois Senate on Wednesday.

“Incentivizing students of social work to start their careers in Illinois will help our local governments recruit the qualified professionals they need, while mitigating the student debt crisis,” Gillespie said.

Read more: Gillespie passes municipal social worker debt relief programs

SPRINGFIELD – Two measures to assist social workers with earning and paying off their degrees, introduced by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights), passed the Senate Higher Education Committee Tuesday.

“Our local governments are in desperate need of qualified social workers,” Gillespie said. “This package will incentivize students of social work to start their careers in Illinois and will play a significant role in addressing the student debt crisis.”

Read more: Gillespie builds on social worker debt relief programs