News Update

From the Chicago Tribune:

By Ray Long

12:17 p.m. CDT, May 24, 2012

SPRINGFIELD --- House lawmakers today pushed forward with deep cuts in the state's health-care system for the poor, a plan that the fate of the state's overall budget rests upon.

Illinois House and Senate Gut Medicaid

Reverse the Elimination of Illinois Cares Rx!

Last Night, the Illinois House and Senate voted to eliminate Illinois Cares Rx, as a part of $1.6 billion of deep cuts to dozens of critical Medicaid programs. Click here to read the WUIS story featuring Citizen Action's own William McNary.

From The Register-Mail, Galesburg.com:

May 16, 2012

Outraged seniors dump ‘survival kits’ at Quinn’s door

Protesters denounce cuts to programs

Dear Friends,

On April 12th of 2012, Governor Cuomo of New York State signed an Executive Order establishing a health exchange.  Now is the time for Governor Quinn to do the same for Illinois.

We are collecting 2,000 signatures over the next 2 weeks.  Pass this petition to your friends and neighbors.  We need to show our support for healthcare.

Tell Governor Quinn to establish a health exchange today!

The right wing is attacking us every day.  It’s time to stand up again and fight for Healthcare for America NOW!

Sign the petition today - Call on Governor Quinn to issue an Executive Order to establish a health exchange.

A key provision in the Affordable Cate Act is the creation of health benefits exchanges in each state by 2014. These Exchanges will operate as a marketplace for individuals and small businesses to compare and buy quality and affordable health insurance.

The creation of an Exchange for over 1 million Illinoisans is no small task. The fastest way to get this done is through an Executive Order.

Help over a million Illinoisans without affordable health care today. Sign our petition calling on Governor Quinn to establish a health exchange today!

Sincerely,

Lynda DeLaforgue

Citizen Action/Illinois

Tell Governor Quinn: We need a health exchange now!

2012 Senator Paul Simon / Senator Paul Wellstone Awards

On Monday evening, April 23, 2012, Citizen Action/Illinois honored champions of the progressive movement at the seventh annual Senator Paul Simon / Senator Paul Wellstone Awards. 

From WJBC AM 1230 FM 93.7 and wjbc.com:

Protesters fight Medicaid cuts at Ill. Capitol

By: Alex Degman  |  April 25, 2012

SPRINGFIELD — As talks about deep Medicaid cuts pick up steam, so are the buses carrying people protesting them.

Dozens of people came to the Capitol Wednesday to protest what they say are unfair and inhumane cuts to the Medicaid program.

From stltoday.com:

Wisconsin governor tells Illinois business leaders to reign in public-sector unions

BY KEVIN McDERMOTT • kmcdermott@post-dispatch.com

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 12:05 am

From the Southtown Star:

BY MARY J. PALEOLOGOS Correspondent March 26, 2012 10:30PM

Updated: March 27, 2012 2:09AM 

A person critically injured in a car accident in Park Forest is as likely as not to die before he or she makes it to the nearest trauma center in Oak Lawn to be treated.

Join us in celebrating the work of Citizen Action/Illinois Co-Director William McNary as he receives the 2012 Gentle Warrior Award from the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum. 

Feb. 25, 6:00 p.m., 2230 S. Michigan Ave.  Click here for tickets and more information.

And read more about the awards below:

From the Herald-News:

Kadner: No state plan to treat mentally ill

Phil Kadner 

pkadner@southtownstar.com 

January 23, 2012 8:50PM

Updated: January 24, 2012 5:15AM 

Illinois is once again planning to close the Tinley Park Mental Health Center.