Lame Duck Session:
Swearing in of Office and Election for Speaker of the House
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Today, the General Assembly will convene for the first time since our truncated session in May, under much the same protocols used in May. We will not be meeting in the Capitol but rather in the makeshift chamber set up at the Bank of Springfield Center in order to be able to practice appropriate social distancing. In light of the horrific events at the U.S. Capitol yesterday and associated attacks on state capitols around the country, there will be enhanced security protocols in place both at the Bank of Springfield Center as well as at the Capitol, where the Senate will be convening.
The session days on January 8th-12th are a continuation of the 101st General Assembly known as Lame Duck Session. During these session days, the current members will meet to address several critical items including budgetary action required to allow for expenditures related to COVID relief funds and a package of legislation proposed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to address issues of systemic racism in the categories of criminal justice, economic development, health care, and education. These bills are the product of dozens of subject matter hearings convened by Black Caucus members in both the House and Senate through the summer and fall. There are likely other bills that could advance during this portion of session and as those bills are advanced, we will share that information in newsletters and via our social media platforms.
On January 13th the new 102nd General Assembly will convene to be sworn in and begin the process of electing a Speaker. In July, I made clear that I would not be voting for Michael Madigan for another term for Speaker and at that time was one of a handful of members who had taken that stand. Since that time, others have come forward and today there are 19 members of the General Assembly who have publicly declared the same intention. Of those, three have declared their candidacy for Speaker: Stephanie Kifowit of the 84th district, Kathy Willis of the 77th district and Ann Williams of the 11th district. It is possible that there will be other candidates coming forward in the days ahead, but that remains to be seen.
The last time there was a contested race for Speaker was in 1975, resulting in a protracted battle that was finally resolved after 93 ballots. It is unclear whether this will repeat in this instance, but we have been instructed to be prepared to remain in Springfield until we have a successful candidate. Speaker Madigan was first sworn in as a member of the General Assembly exactly 50 years ago and assumed the role of Speaker in 1983, making him the longest serving State House Speaker in the country.
While much remains uncertain in the days ahead, I will share as information becomes available about the legislative session and the Speaker’s race.
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Roll out of Vaccinations:
Illinois Department of Public Health's Overview
Earlier this week Governor Pritzker announced that we were entering the 1B phase roll out of vaccinations. While most parts of the State are still in phase 1A of distribution the outline of 1B is a great sign showing that distribution has successfully started throughout the state and that local health departments are ready to start planning ahead. The Illinois Department of Public Health and Governor's office have been adhering to ACIP and CDC guidelines. The newest phase 1B will only have one change contrary to their recommendations and that includes making the vaccine available to those 65 and older verses the recommended 75 and older. The Governor has emphasized the need for equity in distribution of vaccines and is also working with the Illinois National Guard to increase the number of providers available to administer the vaccine coupled with non discrimination guidance. As more details become available on distribution for the general public we will publish those announcements in upcoming newsletters and our social media outlets.
View IDPH full vaccination plan here.
View Chicago Department of Public Health's Vaccine page here.
View Suburban Cook County Public Health Departments vaccine page here.
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COVID-19 Count as of Thursday, January 7th:
If you have questions related to COVID-19 you can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health:
Hotline: 800-889-3931
Email: dph.sick@illinois.gov
City of Chicago's Department of Public Health:
Hotline: 312-746-4835
Email: coronavirus@chicago.gov
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Petition to have Congressperson Miller Resign |
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If U.S. Representative Mary Miller from Illinois has any respect left for the role of a U.S. Congressperson or any shred of dignity in her, she will do what’s right and step down.
A Congresswoman who uses Hitler’s obscene methods for indoctrinating children with racism and facism as a guidepost to ignite hate and violence has no place representing us in the U.S. Capitol.
At a minimum, she owes the Jewish people an apology. We hope she will take the time to learn why her words are so dangerous and harmful to people of any minority group with a history of persecution.
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Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors Now Available: Sign Up Today
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Now effective medical benefits similar to those offered under Assistance for Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) will be offered to non-citizens age 65 and over who do not meet immigration status for Medicaid. This entirely state-funded special program is called Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors.
Applications for Emergency Medical for Noncitizens should also be reviewed for eligibility for Health Benefit Coverage for Immigrant Seniors when the applicant is age 65 or over.
Eligibility Criteria:
This program follows the current AABD community eligibility criteria, including AABD spenddown. An individual may be eligible for this program provided all the following criteria are met:
- Not a U.S. citizen
- Not eligible for health benefits through Medicaid due to immigration status
- If the age cannot be verified electronically, we accept self-attestation
- The individual has a non-citizen status that does not meet the criteria for Medicaid
- Is a resident of the State of Illinois
- Income is at or below 100% FPL
- If income is above the 100% FPL limit, individual will be considered for spenddown
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Brave Space Alliance Funeral Fund |
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Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) |
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IDFPR and Banks Work Together Again to Provide Free Check Cashing for Stimulus Checks
CHICAGO – Today, the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (IDFPR) announced they have worked with the banks to provide services for unbanked Illinoisans seeking to cash their stimulus checks without incurring check cashing fees. The banks provided this service during the first round of stimulus checks and IDFPR secured the same agreement for the second round of stimulus checks.
The FDIC estimates that over 22% of Illinois households are under or unbanked. Many of these Illinois households will once again be receiving paper stimulus checks and will have few check cashing options that won’t incur fees. IDFPR is proud to announce a number of banking institutions that are able to work with non-customers on cashing their stimulus checks for free. Thanks to Bank of America, First Midwest, Fifth Third, Huntington, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase and U.S. Bank, Illinoisans will be able to cash their stimulus checks without incurring fees in order to ensure these funds go toward the food, housing, and necessities that people need during this difficult time.
“We are happy to once again work with the banks to provide this necessary service to Illinois residents. I want to thank Bank of America, First Midwest, Fifth Third, Huntington, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase and U.S. Bank. Illinois residents will be able to use their checks for living essentials instead of processing fees thanks to them,” said Secretary Deborah Hagan.
“The Illinois banking industry is honored to again partner with IDFPR to help Illinois citizens through this next round of economic stimulus checks. The banks listed stand ready to cash stimulus checks for the unbanked, waiving the usual fee for non-customers and allowing for more stimulus funds in the pockets of those who need it the most,” said Illinois Bankers Association President and CEO Randy Hultgren.
In order to ensure proper social distancing and that everyone has the proper identification to cash their federal stimulus check, individuals interested in these options should contact the banks listed above, or email IDFPR at ILBanks@illinois.gov to set up an appointment.
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Sincerely,
Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District
Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy
5533 N Broadway
Chicago IL 60640
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773-784-2002(phone)
773-784-2060(fax)
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