SPRINGFIELD – Patients seeking copies of their medical records to file claims for benefits would no longer have to pay for copies under legislation from State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which was introduced in the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Tuesday after passing the House with unanimous bipartisan support.

“Illinoisans seeking benefits should not have to spend their hard-earned money on copies of medical records required to file claims,” Senator Fine said. “These benefit programs are in place to help our most vulnerable populations, and it’s imperative that we make the application process as easy as possible.”

Current law only allows homeless indigent veterans to receive medical records from health care facilities and practitioners at no cost to support claims for veterans’ disability benefits. Senator Fine’s measure would expand eligibility to allow anyone to receive free medical records to support a claim for veterans’ disability, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled benefits.

“This has been a successful program for veterans for years, but it’s time to expand eligibility to include other groups,” Senator Fine said. “Benefits programs can’t help people if they are unable to afford to submit claims for benefits.”

House Bill 714 passed the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and now goes to the full Senate.

WINNETKA – State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) recently honored 428 Winnetka high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“It takes hard work and dedication to become an Illinois State Scholar, especially during a year filled with trials and tribulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Senator Fine said. “I am immensely proud of the students in our community who earned this prestigious academic award.”

The Scholars from Winnetka include students from two area high schools, including New Trier High School and North Shore Country Day School.

Recipients of the award will receive a congratulatory letter from ISAC, and a Certificate of Achievement will be sent to their high school. State Scholars will also receive a digital badge issued by ISAC that can be displayed on online profiles, exhibited on social media, and shared with prospective colleges and employers.

“Our Illinois State Scholars deserve our praise and admiration,” Senator Fine said. “I can’t wait to see the opportunities that lie ahead for these students.”

More information about the State Scholar program can be found at ISAC’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois families would no longer have to travel unreasonable distances or wait weeks for mental health and substance use disorder treatment under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Friday.

“Individuals seeking mental health treatment deserve to be cared for just as quickly and close to home as those seeking any other type of medical care,” Senator Fine said. “It needs to be as easy as possible for Illinoisans to access reliable mental health and substance use disorder treatment.”

Senator Fine’s measure would require insurers to provide timely and proximate access to treatment for mental, emotional, nervous or substance use disorders and conditions. Insurers would also have to make an exception to out-of-network copay requirements if there are not any in-network providers available nearby or timely enough.

Individuals seeking outpatient mental health treatment would not have to travel longer than 30 minutes or 30 miles for care in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties under Senator Fine’s plan. The limit increases to 60 minutes or 60 miles in other Illinois counties. Additionally, Illinoisans would not have to wait more than 10 business days between requesting an initial appointment and being seen by a provider.

“The fight to destigmatize mental illness includes ensuring access to quality, affordable mental health care,” Senator Fine said. “I’m happy to see this legislation continue moving forward to help Illinois families.”

Senate Bill 471 passed the Senate and now goes to the House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – Public schools and state agencies would be required to disclose the use of toxic coal tar-based pavement sealant under State Senator Laura Fine’s (D-Glenview) initiative, which passed the Senate Friday.

“Clean air is a basic human right, and parents shouldn’t have to worry about their children breathing in dangerous chemicals on the playground,” Senator Fine said. “Disclosing the use of coal tar-based sealants and encouraging cleaner alternatives is essential to protecting our community and the environment.”

Under Senator Fine’s Coal Tar Sealant Act, public schools, public school districts, daycares and state agencies would be required to disclose the use of coal tar-based sealant on playgrounds, parking lots and other paved areas. This measure would also require groups planning to use coal tar-based sealant for a pavement project to look into cleaner alternatives.

High levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) are found in coal tar and some other sealants used in pavement projects, which could lead to environmental contamination as the sealants wear away over time. There are many environmentally friendly alternatives to coal tar-based sealants with little to no PAH that are available at a similar cost.

Studies have shown PAH compounds may cause cancer, birth defects and other health complications. Lifelong exposure to coal tar-treated pavements and playgrounds can increase an individual's cancer risk by 38 times.

“The health and environmental effects of being exposed to coal tar-based sealants are too dangerous to ignore,” Senator Fine said. “This legislation will protect our neighbors and help ensure our communities are able to thrive for future generations.”

Seven cities in Illinois have already banned coal-tar sealants, including three cities in the district Senator Fine represents.

Senate Bill 692 passed the Senate and now goes to the House of Representatives.