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If you need a prescription drug to treat an illness or stay healthy, your health insurance company should not be able to deny you just because a generic version of that drug is not available. That's why I sponsored SB2672, which sets standards for insurance coverage of prescription drugs.
Nationwide, generic drugs account for about 90% of all prescriptions filled, according to the Association for Accessible Medicines, a trade group that represents generic drugmakers. However, there have been serious widespread shortages of a number of important generic drugs. That has created a huge problem for people who need those out-of-stock drugs, but whose health insurance policies will not allow them to substitute more expensive brand-name prescription medications that are available at their pharmacies.
When your child has pneumonia, or when your mom needs her blood pressure medication refilled, or when you run out of antidepressants, you shouldn't be charged an unconscionable amount for a trademarked drug just because the generic version is not available. Under my bill, which has been passed by both the House and the Senate and will be heading to the Governor's desk soon, you will be able to fill your essential prescriptions even when generic medications are in short supply.
There are still many problems with our health care system, here in Illinois and across our country. But with new laws like this one, we're working to make health care more accessible and affordable, for everyone.
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Support Special Olympics with 'Cop on a Rooftop' TOMORROW
You can pick up a quick breakfast and support the Special Olympics tomorrow (Friday) at Dunkin' Donuts shops throughout our communities.
Local police officers will stake out Dunkin’ rooftops from 5 a.m. to noon to raise awareness and donations for the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), which supports Special Olympics Illinois. Nearby locations include:
Lombard
- 1160 S Main St.
- 411 E North Ave.
- 85 Yorktown Shopping Center
Glen Ellyn
- 530 Crescent Blvd.
- 651 Roosevelt Road
- 22W251 North Ave.
Naperville
- 1201 S. Naper Blvd.
- 702 S. Washington St.
- 1580 West Ogden Ave.
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- 811 E Ogden Ave.
- 1991 Brookdale Road
Downers Grove
- 6310 Woodward Ave.
- 522 Ogden Ave.
Wheaton
- 956 E Roosevelt Road
- 2040 S Naperville Road
Lisle
- 4300 Lincoln Ave.
- 1103 Maple Ave.
You can click here to find a full list of participating Dunkin' locations.
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Children can enjoy an evening of games – and pizza – at Glen Ellyn's Kids' Night Out TOMORROW
Children aged 5 through 12 are invited to enjoy games, sports, arts and crafts, and a pizza dinner tomorrow (Friday) night at Lake Ellyn Park, at 645 Lenox Road in Glen Ellyn.
The event, from 6 to 8 p.m., will be led by members of the Glen Ellyn Park District's Ackerman SFC team.
Children must be accompanied by adults at check-in and check-out. The fee is $30 for residents and $35 for nonresidents. To learn more, you can visit here.
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Woof! Take your best (or furriest) friend to Lombard's Mutt Strut 5k & 1-mile SATURDAY
You (and your dog) can get a healthy start to your weekend at the Lombard Park District's 18th Annual Mutt Strut 5K and 1-mile races on Saturday, May 18, at 8 a.m. at Lilacia Park, 150 S Park Ave.
The registration fee for each race includes a race t-shirt and a pancake breakfast ticket. If you want to attend without participating in a race, there are breakfast-only tickets available.
You can pick up your packet at Madison Meadow Athletic Center, at 500 E. Wilson Ave. The race starts in front of the Park District administration building, at 227 W. Parkside Ave.
You can preregister online or register the morning of the race for an additional fee. To learn more, you can click here.
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High school students can support their peers by serving on the Downers Grove Peer Jury
The concept of trial by a jury of your peers dates all the way back to the Magna Carta. The idea is that, to be fair, a jury should be composed of people from your own community.
Because our youth can be affected by pressures and influences that adults may not recognize or understand, the
Downers Grove Regional Peer Jury has been established to provide an alternative to court for first-time juvenile offenders. The teen jurors on the Peer Jury hear cases of youth charged with non-violent offenses, such as theft, vandalism, disorderly conduct, tobacco possession or underage drinking.
The program is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors in Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Oak Brook or Willowbrook. Participants must be willing to commit two or three hours a month to attend peer jury hearings and must have parent or guardian approval.
The Peer Jury program is accepting applications for student jurors now through July 5, 2024. You can click here to learn more.
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Help our environment by learning to care for Park District trees in Glen Ellyn SATURDAY
You're invited to join the Glen Ellyn Park District’s forestry team to learn about an exciting new volunteer opportunity on Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to noon at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road.
You will learn the correct way to plant a tree and find out how you can take an active role in nurturing Glen Ellyn’s tree canopy, in ways that will have a positive impact on the environment for generations to come.
This free event is open to everyone aged 8 and older; children aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required. You can click here for more information and to register.
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Whoopi-ti-yi-yo! Saddle up your bicycle and head on down to the Glen Ellyn Bike Rodeo SATURDAY
The Glen Ellyn Park District invites kids to learn about bicycle safety and the rules of the road at the Bike Rodeo this Saturday, May 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave.
The rodeo is for children aged 5 through 12, accompanied by adults. Participants must bring their own bikes and helmets. The event is free, but registration is required. You can click here to register.
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Celebrate our lilacs (and our community) at Lombard's 2024 Lilac Parade SUNDAY
Lombard will mark the official end of Lilac Time with the annual Lilac Parade this Sunday, May 19.
The parade will step off at 1:30 p.m. at Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main St. and will head north towards Maple Street.
Parking restrictions will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. You can find details at the 2024 Lilac Parade Parking Restrictions map. If possible, Lombard residents are encouraged to leave their cars at home and walk to the parade. For more details, visit here.
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Hear inspiring speakers and support B.R. Ryall YMCA at their Champions Dinner MONDAY
You're invited to show your support for B.R. Ryall YMCA at their Champions Dinner, at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 20, at Abbington Distinctive Banquets, 3S002 Route 53 in Glen Ellyn.
The event will feature three speakers: Journalist Lisa Parker; Eboo Patel, the founder and president of Interfaith America, and our own U.S. Rep. Sean Casten.
In addition to an elegant dinner, the event will include a social hour and live music. For more information and to reserve your spot, you can click here.
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Why is the night sky so dark? You can learn the (interesting) answer in Naperville TUESDAY
Did you ever wonder why the stars don't light up our night sky after the sun sets? Larry Jahn, one of the Naperville Astronomical Association's founding members, will enlighten* us at a free public lecture at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the Naperville Municipal Center (downstairs meeting room B), 400 S Eagle St.
Jahn will discuss this question, which was first analyzed by German astronomer H.W.M. Olbers two centuries ago. You can learn more here.
*Please note the the "enlighten" joke was added by the newsletter editor and should not be held against State Rep. Terra Costa Howard personally.
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'Time travel' at Lisle's Tavern Nights at the Museum on May 23
You can pay a visit to the 19th century at the Lisle Park District's Tavern Nights at the Museum from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St.
All ages are invited to come and learn about the historic Netzley/Yender House and the families who lived in it. You can click here to learn more and register.
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Take time to help others at the Glen Ellyn Community Blood and Food Drive THURSDAY
Your donations make a difference! So if you can, please make time on Thursday, May 23, to participate in our Blood and Food Drive with the Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage and the Glen Ellyn Park District.
We'll be collecting donations of blood and food from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road.
Food items will be donated to the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry. Appointments are recommended for blood donations, but walk-ups are welcome.
If you can, please pick up a few extra grocery items this week to donate. Your donation can make a real difference in the life of a family struggling to keep food on the table. You can click here for more information.
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Upcoming Events
We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!
May 27: Lombard's Memorial Day Ceremony, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Lombard Common Park, 433 E. St. Charles Road
May 27: Lisle Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony, at 10 a.m., the parade begins at Lisle Jr. High School and the ceremony will be at the Lisle Veteran's Memorial. A second ceremony will follow at the Lisle Cemetery.
May 27: Naperville Memorial Day Parade, at 10:30 a.m. in Downtown Naperville, starting at Centennial Beach.
May 27: Wheaton Memorial Day Parade, at 10 a.m. beginning at Memorial Park, proceeding west on Wesley Street, turning south on West Street and ending at the Wheaton Cemetery
May 29-June 2: Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. (Fawell Parking Lot C) in Glen Ellyn
May 30-June 2: Cream of Wheaton, at Memorial Park, 225 Karlskoga Ave. and Downtown Wheaton
May 31: York Center Park District's Concert in the Park, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Knolls Community Park, 1416 S Meyers Road in Lombard
June 2: 3rd Annual Pride Fest, from noon to 3 p.m. at First Church of Lombard, 220 S. Main St.
June 9: The Lisle Woman's Club's Garden Gait, from 10 am to 4 pm. beginning at the Museums at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St.
June 11: Lombard Blood Drive, from 1:30 to 7 p.m. at First Church of Lombard, 220 S. Main St.
If you have any questions about pending legislation or other issues related to your state government, please don't hesitate to contact my office at 630-812-9292 or RepTCH42@gmail.com.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong,
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Terra Costa Howard
State Representative
42nd District
913 S. Main St.
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 812-9292
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