SPRINGFIELD – An initiative to set the price of a 30-day supply of prescription insulin to $100 passed the Senate today with the support of State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“Insulin is not a choice for people with diabetes and with the cost steadily rising, some diabetics are trying to ration their medication which could result in an entirely preventable death,” Crowe said. “This is the direct result of corporate greed and it’s time to stand up to drug companies that are lining their pockets at the expense of patients who rely on their products to survive.”

The price of insulin has drastically increased in the United States in the past several years. According to a 2016 analysis, the price of the drug tripled between 2002 and 2013.

While, the cap would only apply to commercial insurance plans regulated by the state, if passed, the measure would make Illinois the second state in the country to cap insulin payments.

According to a study by the Yale School of Medicine, one in four patients with diabetes are forced to ration their insulin due to soaring.

Senate Bill 667 passed the Senate and now moves to the House for consideration.

EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville will receive a $2.5 million grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to construct the city’s first indoor facility for recreational activities, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced today.

“This grant will provide numerous recreation opportunities for residents, especially when the weather is too rainy or cold to spend time outdoors,” Crowe said. “I can’t thank our state leaders enough for being committed to creating more shared space for people to exercise while strengthening our community’s core.”

The center will be located near the Madison County Bike Trail and Governor’s Parkway and will feature an indoor ice-skating rink and an elevated 175-meter, a four-lane track with a 3,000-square-foot physical fitness center.

Edwardsville is receiving one of eight grants totaling more than $10.1 million made available through the IDNR’s Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act grant program.

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Senate’s special committee on Opioid Crisis Abatement held their first meeting under the leadership of State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“There is a tremendous need for new ideas and research to combat Illinois’ opioid crisis,” Crowe said. “This committee’s goal is to produce real, comprehensive solutions.”

Jennifer Epstein, Director of Opioid Initiatives with the Department of Public Health, testified to the committee, giving feedback and status updates on the implementation of the State of Illinois’s Opioid Action Plan (SOAP) 2018 report.

The Illinois Senate established this committee to find gaps in state’s approach to abating the opioid epidemic and hear testimony regarding successful programs and efforts. It also will help develop legislation to strengthen Illinois’ response to the crisis.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in Illinois in 2017, there were 2,202 drug overdose deaths involving opioids. That’s a rate of 17.2 deaths per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national rate of 14.6 deaths per 100,000 people.

Earlier this year, Senator Crowe passed a resolution urging the Department of Public Health to adopt new prescription guidelines for painkillers. She also introduced legislation to increase sentencing requirements for certain offenses involving fentanyl.

“Our state has come a long way in recent years with more help than ever for those struggling with addiction,” Crowe said. “While we work to develop more resources, I strongly encourage those affected to call the Department of Human Services Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at 1-833-2FINDHELP.”

ALTON – In an effort to connect concerned residents with solutions to high property taxes, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) and state Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) are partnering with the Alton Township Assessor's office to hold office hours on property tax relief on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 from 6-7 P.M. at Senior Services Plus. 

“We know that property taxes are a main concern for area residents, and as members of the Property Tax Relief Task Force, we will continue to look for ways to fight overburdensome property taxes on hard working families,” Crowe said. “While Rep. Bristow and I continue to work on this issue in Springfield, I am glad we can offer some immediate help to residents through our property tax seminars and satellite office hours.”

Residents are encouraged to bring their most recent property tax bill with them to the event. A representative from the Alton Township Assessor’s office will be available to meet one-on-one with homeowners to review their bills to make sure they are receiving all the exemptions they qualify for. Residents can also learn more about interior reviews and other ways to lower their property taxes. While everyone is welcome to attend this free event, Alton Township residents will be able to receive more detailed information on what services are available to them.

“During our last satellite office hours with the Alton Assessor’s office, nearly every person who attended was able to learn about additional exemptions for which they qualified or find a way to save more on their annual property taxes,” Bristow said. “Lowering the tax burden has been one of my main focuses in Springfield, to help local homeowners save more of their hard earned money by expanding and creating new exemptions and hosting seminars like these to help provide more education to homeowners on ways to save money and lower their bill.”