SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) supported legislation signed by the governor this morning that ensures veterans who are eligible for the status of veterans for Illinois identification cards have access to them.

The Secretary of State began issuing ID cards with a veteran designation in 2015. Senate Bill 2173 expands the program to include National Guard members who have not been called to active duty. Furthermore, it clarifies that the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs will certify and verify the status of veterans for the ID cards.

Harris released the following statement regarding the new law:

“These identifications give veterans an easy way to prove their status and be able to receive all of the services they have earned and are rightfully eligible for. We need to continue providing our veterans with tools that make their lives easier as a gesture of gratitude for their service.”

###

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board will soon see some helpful changes thanks to legislation led by State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) that was signed into law on Friday.

House Bill 4517 allows the IHFSRB to work with other government agencies to improve efficiencies and ensure they have the resources they have to continue working on containing health care costs and promoting the accessibility to health facilities.

“This legislation takes recommendations from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board and implements them to provide more efficiency and better service,” Harris said. “Providing them with the proper resources creates a better health system for Illinois residents.”

Furthermore, the plan removes Certificates of Recognition from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, updates references to the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act and eliminated all language pertaining to the Center for Comprehensive Health Planning.

The Center for Comprehensive Health Planning was created in 2009, which would have cost IDPH millions of dollars, but was never implemented due to lack of funding.

The law goes into effect January 1.

###

SPRINGFIELD- The Illinois Senate sent a proposal to the governor’s desk today that would ensure schools will open this fall and provides funding for youth programs. Senate Bill 2047 includes funding for youth employment and after-school programs and funding for a number of much-needed human services.  

State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) released the following statement after the vote:

“If we really care about the direction Illinois is going, we need to continue to put our children first. Education is a fundamental right, and we need to deliver the resources to give our children a bright future. We know there is still work to do, but keeping schools open and providing valuable services that offer positive experiences for our youth should always be considered a worthwhile investment.”

###