Fine calls for empty wind energy task force to convene

SPRINGFIELD – Six years and two governors after it was formed, a neglected task force aimed at producing workable wind energy policy should finally convene under legislation passed by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview). This will put the state on a path toward reducing fossil fuel consumption.

“This is a positive step in addressing the issue of fossil fuel depletion and climate change,” Fine said. “We need to transition toward renewable, green energy before it’s too late. This task will bring us toward meeting our goals, and it must convene.”

House Bill 3482 urges Gov. Pritzker to convene the Offshore Wind Energy Economic Development Policy Task Force, officially formed in 2013 and then ignored by former Governors Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner. The group’s stated objective is to analyze and evaluate policies and economic options necessary to develop the state’s offshore wind energy.

The bill passed both chambers of the General Assembly with unanimous support and will proceed to the governor for approval.

Fine wants doctors to have more options for pharmaceutical education

SPRINGFIELD – A new bill sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) will allow prescribing physicians to receive comprehensive pharmaceutical education.

“Prescription drugs are an important tool in keeping patients healthy,” Fine said. “We should strive to ensure that the doctors writing those prescriptions have the most accurately, timely, and thorough information available.”

House Bill 3097 requires the Department of Health and Family Services to develop a pharmaceutical education program for prescribing physicians. The program would use evidence-based, noncommercial sources and would be taught by specially trained pharmacists, nurses or health professionals. It would include instruction regarding the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, respiratory syncytial virus, and nicotine dependence.

The bill passed through the Senate and the House of Representatives with unanimous bipartisan support. It will be sent to the governor for approval.

Fine calls for easier updates for those on developmental disability care wait list

SPRINGFIELD – Families of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities will have an easier time reviewing their status of being selected for services under a new bill sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

“Families of individuals with disabilities rely on social services to provide a higher quality of life for their family member, but the current process for checking their status is slow and confusing,” Fine said. “This legislation will help families have a more accessible process to find out the support services available.”

House Bill 3483 requires the Department of Human Services to maintain a database of families on the Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) waitlist. This would give the families the option of receiving emails regarding the status of being selected for the services in question.

The bill passed both chambers the General Assembly with unanimous, bipartisan support and will be sent to Gov. JB Pritzker for approval.

Fine looks to give graduate assistants labor protection equity

SPRINGFIELD – Graduate and research assistants would have the same labor rights as other educational employees under a measure State Senator Laura Fine (D – Glenview) passed through the Senate.

“Everyone should be treated with respect in the workplace,” Fine said. “These graduate and research assistants should have the same opportunities as their educational colleagues.”

House Bill 253 removes graduate assistants whose primary duties are research or pre-professional from the “student” classification so that they can be defined as employees. Under current law, those classified as students are excluded from certain labor protections. This would entitle them to collective bargaining rights, putting them in the same position as other educational employees throughout the state.

“The right to collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions is a fundamental right of all workers,” Fine said. “I’m happy to have passed this legislation ensuring that all graduate and research assistants can maintain the dignity they deserve.”

The bill passed through the House of Representatives in March. Having now passed the Senate, it will be sent for approval by the governor.