SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Flossmoor) saw his first major piece of legislation sponsored as a new senator signed into law on Sunday, requiring schools to offer catastrophic insurance coverage for student athletes.

Inspired by Rasul “Rocky” Clark, Harris’ Senate Bill 2178 ensures student athletes will have insurance coverage if they sustain injuries that leave them paralyzed while representing their schools in athletics. The measure was signed by the governor at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, where Rocky went to school and played football. His mother Annette Clark was on hand for the occasion, along with other family, friends, and lawmakers who cosponsored the legislation.

“These injuries are rare, but when they happen it’s devastating for young athletes and their families,” Harris said. “These students’ lives are dramatically changed in cases of catastrophic injuries, and they deserve access to health care coverage.”

Harris, a former NFL and Northwestern University football player, knows the importance of this legislation. He sought and achieved bipartisan support in the Senate on this measure.

Under the new law, the minimum policy for a school will cover $3 million in aggregate benefits or five years of coverage, whichever comes first, for injuries resulting in medical expenses in excess of $50,000. All schools will have this insurance except for those who already require athletes to have private insurance. Before this new law, there was no requirement in Illinois that schools carry insurance for their athletes, though some do voluntarily.

The Illinois High School Association provides students with this catastrophic insurance for state tournaments. To acquire this coverage for the entire season, officials estimate the cost for schools to be less than $5 per athlete.

“Illinois student athletes and their parents have a victory today,” Harris said. 

Economic development continues to lift Illinois out of fiscal uncertainty. Thursday, legislation supported by State Senator Napoleon Harris was signed by Governor Quinn. The measure includes several economic development projects aimed at increasing business opportunities throughout Illinois. The new law also boasts developments to benefit residents in the 15th Legislative district, namely construction projects at McCormick Place, a Peotone airport and incentives for small businesses.

“These projects represent opportunities to foster a business-friendly environment while providing good paying jobs to increase revenues for local governments,” State Senator Napoleon Harris said. “This measure is an example of the types of initiatives community leaders need to bring to the General Assembly so the public and private sectors can work together to build a strong economy.”

Training for Construction Jobs -- Alderman Jason Ervin has shared the following information:
 
The New Malcolm X College & Allied Health Science Academy Community Jobs Program has designated up to 120 of the total 950 construction jobs for qualified applicants from the community.
 
The program will connect qualified individuals with training programs at City Colleges' Dawson Technical Institute to prepare them for skilled positions on the Malcolm X College project.
 
Financial assistance is available.
 
Classes Begin June 7 at
DAWSON TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
3901 S State St, Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 451-2020
 
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Community Jobs Training Program Participation Criteria:
• Education: Requires training and certification from Dawson Technical Institute
• Training: Potential employees will need 8 weeks of training that include:
o Construction safety
o Flagger certification
o OSHA certification

Requirements:
• 18 yrs +
• High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening
• Valid Driver's License or Illinois State I.D. (establishing Chicago residency)
• No outstanding debt to CCC at the time of enrollment (this agreement does not pay for any existing debt owed to CCC)

State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Flossmoor) celebrated as his proposal that requires schools to offer catastrophic insurance coverage for student athletes passed the Illinois House on Monday.

 Inspired by Rasul “Rocky” Clark, Harris’ proposal ensures that student athletes will not be left without coverage if they sustain injuries that leave them paralyzed while representing their schools in athletics.

“These injuries are rare, but when they do happen it’s devastating for the student and their families,” Harris said. “These students have sacrificed everything for their schools, and they deserve access to health care.”