Harris champions initiative to provide hope to individuals fighting hair loss conditions

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III passed a measure inspired by constituent concerns for individuals fighting cancer who were unable to afford a hair prosthesis on Friday.

“Individuals who are experiencing hair loss due to alopecia, chemotherapy or radiation have had endless hurdles to overcome,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “Standardizing medical insurance for wigs and other scalp prostheses will help alleviate some unnecessary stress and remove financial barriers to help provide individuals with some sense of normalcy.”

Senate Bill 2573 would require insurance plans to provide coverage for wigs or other scalp prostheses for individuals experiencing hair loss due to alopecia, chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer or other conditions.

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Harris’ new law supports Illinois’ farmers and small businesses

SPRINGFIELD – A measure that preserves insurance choices for rural farmers in Illinois is now law, thanks to State Senator Napoleon Harris, III.

Harris’ initiative – which was signed into law Friday – modernizes coverage requirements for farm mutual insurance companies to allow them to adapt to changes in the insurance marketplace and continue to provide coverage to farmers across Illinois.

“Illinois’ farmers drive our economy,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “It is important that we update the state’s provisions to allow these community insurance companies to keep their doors open and preserve choice in the insurance marketplace.”

Farm mutual insurance companies typically started off as small community-based organizations, but over time many have grown and began to offer insurance to more members in more diverse communities. Currently, there are 44 farm mutual companies that provide more than 50,000 policy holders with insurance coverage.

Harris, who started his legislative career as the Senate’s Agriculture Committee Chair, is now leading the Senate Insurance Committee. In this role, he saw the need to update this law to ensure farm mutual insurance companies have options while securing reinsurance contracts from larger insurance entities.

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Harris announces nearly $7.6 million in funding to local schools

HARVEY – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III is excited to announce that $7.6 million in additional funding will be awarded to local schools to help move toward fair and equitable school systems in Illinois.

“As a father, I want to ensure all of our children have the opportunity to receive an excellent education,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “The state’s budget serves as an opportunity to outline our priorities as a state, and I am proud to say that we continue to fund our schools properly to help support students and educators throughout our communities.”

In 2017, Harris joined the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus in implementing an evidence-based funding formula —an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

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Harris pleased to see more than $850,000 in local Back to Business grants

• Small Business
• Grants

HARVEY – Restaurants and hotels in the 15^th District are set to receive more than $850,000 in grants, thanks to the support of State Senator Napoleon Harris, III.

“Our businesses and hotels drive our local economy,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “We are all still in the process of recovering from the pandemic. The Back to Business grant program is an effective way for us to uplift and support our business community as they rebuild and recover.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest-hit industries, like restaurants and hotels. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

A total of $851,713 has been awarded to 23 businesses in Harris’ district that are part of the restaurant and hotel industry.

“As a business owner, I can empathize with the challenges our community is still struggling with,” said Harris. “My hope is this grant program will assist businesses and help ensure they are on a path toward success.”

For more information about B2B grants, visit DCEO’s website.