KUDOS

Kudos to all the central Illinois individuals and groups that come to the State Capitol and talk with me and other state officials about the issues important to you! On February 17, I met with members of McLean County Chamber of Commerce Leadership group. I appreciate them taking the time to meet with me.

Kudos to the City of Normal for receiving a $22 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant for its uptown transportation center.

FORMS AVAILABLE IN OFFICE

The new Form IL-1363 – for Illinois Cares Rx for senior citizens or persons with disabilities – is available in my legislative office. Please call 309-664-4440 or stop by 2203 Eastland Dr., Suite 3, in Bloomington.

GOVERNOR WILL DELAY BUDGET SPEECH UNTIL MARCH 10

Illinois lawmakers advanced controversial legislation this week that will postpone the Governor’s annual budget message until March 10.

The Budget Address was originally scheduled for February 17, but Governor Pat Quinn asked for more time, saying it would allow him to gather more accurate revenue estimates for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.

Senate Republicans dispute the Governor’s claim and say that delaying the address will further defer action on the state’s mounting fiscal crisis.

SUPREME COURT RULES AGAINST MEDICAL MALPRACTICE REFORM

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled February 4 week that capping jury awards for non-economic damages is unconstitutional. 

The ruling could drive up healthcare costs and is a serious threat to doctors and hospitals, whose liability insurance rates have remained steady or even decreased since the cap on non-economic damages went into effect in 2005.

A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers approved the Illinois Medical Malpractice Act in 2005, despite strong objections from the Illinois trial lawyer lobby. When the reform legislation was signed into law it was considered a major victory for doctors and Illinois citizens, many of whom were finding it increasingly difficult to access medical treatment, especially obstetrics and cutting-edge procedures and medical treatments.

The state’s high court ruling upheld a previous Cook County Circuit Court decision, which found that Illinois’ Medical Malpractice Act violated the state Constitution by impeding a jury’s right to establish reasonable damages.