The 103rd General Assembly is underway, and I have introduced over thirty pieces of legislation this session that cover a range of issues important to our community and state. These bills include banning or limiting the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals in the environment, insurance regulations, consumer protections, improved oversight of long-term care facilities, and helping low-income families facing unaffordable rent increases and eviction. Additionally, as the Vice-Chair of the Human Services Appropriations Committee and Medicaid Working Group, I am working with colleagues to review agency budget requests for FY24 to ensure that we are investing in vital services while keeping our fiscal house in order. The deadline to pass bills in the House is March 24th, and I will keep you updated on items that make it through the legislative process. You can also access information on legislation at ilga.gov at any time.
If you ever have any questions, concerns or requests for assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office at staterepmoeller@gmail.com or 847-841-7130. It is an honor to represent you in Springfield and my staff and I look forward to serving you.
Warmest Regards,
Anna
New Bills Sponsored by Rep. Moeller
House Bill 1444
The Eviction Legal Services bill requires that in an eviction case, a tenant who has an income of 125% or less of the federal poverty line has access to legal services. Supported by the Chicago Bar Foundation, we introduced this bill to ensure that low-income families have access to legal advice to prevent a possible eviction. Currently 90% of landlords have access to an attorney while only 10% of tenants are able to pay for legal services.
House Bill 3629
The Nursing Home Services bill amends the Nursing Home Care Act. It requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish the New Directions for Nursing Home Resident Care Task Force. The Task Force will be tasked with developing a 5-year plan to deinstitutionalize individuals who are able to live in the community with some assistance. This bill seeks to create a program to provide nursing services and assistance with daily life and activities to allow patients who qualify for placement in a nursing facility to receive short-term services in the community.
HB3629 also requires that the task force create a proposal for providing housing assistance payments to individuals receiving SSI or who are facing placement in an long-term care facility.
House Bill 2478
HB2478 amends the Township Code and would prohibit townships and township officials from denying funding to non-profit organizations based on the citizenship status of the clients the organization serves. Townships provide local funding to many of our critical social service agencies including domestic violence shelters, food pantries and mental health providers.
Other Items of Note
Illinois Receives its 8th Credit Upgrade!
As further evidence of our prudent management of the state’s finances, Illinois received it’s eighth credit rating upgrade this week. This means that we will be able to save taxpayer dollars when we issue bonds to pay for infrastructure improvements throughout the
state. Over the past several years, we have eliminated $17 billion in debt, lowered future pension interest payments and rebuilt our rainy day fund while investing in critical services like education, health care, and public safety.
Workforce Retention
I am committed to ensuring that we are investing in our young people and helping our economy grow through workforce development and retention. The Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (GROW) Illinois program, outlined in House Bill 1378, seeks to establish a path to high-salary and high-demand
employment opportunities in Illinois. The bill looks to tackle both career training and college affordability.
Overdose Prevention
The Drug Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Act (House Bill 1121) seeks to help medical professionals combat fentanyl and other lethal drug overdoses. The measure will allow emergency responders to test patients experiencing an overdose for potentially toxic causes.
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