Opioid Alternative Pilot Program begins accepting patients

SPRINGFIELD – Beginning today, Jan. 31, the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program will begin accepting patients, allowing patients over the age of 21 prescribed opioids temporary access to medical cannabis as an alternative treatment.

The program was created by Senate Bill 336, the Alternatives to Opioids Act, sponsored by State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and signed into law in August 2018.

“Medical cannabis is proven to be a safe, effective alternative to treat conditions for which opioids are often prescribed,” Harmon said. “I am hopeful that this program will help stem the tide of the devastating opioid crisis in our state.”

Under the program, patients will obtain a physician’s certification that they have a condition for which an opioid could be prescribed. They may then take that to a dispensary to receive medical cannabis for a fixed period of time.

The Illinois Department of Public Health’s rules regulating the program can be found on their website at www.dph.illinois.gov.

State grant to provide millions in property tax relief for suburban homeowners

SPRINGFIELD – Homeowners and small businesses in suburban Cook County will see decreases in their property tax bills under a new state grant program that seeks to provide relief to school districts in highly taxed areas.

The Property Tax Relief Grant was included in the historic school funding reform law that has already provided millions of dollars in new state funds to school districts that need it the most. In the first year alone, the 39th Senate District received more than $8 million in additional state funding.

“Property taxes place a disproportionate burden on families living in school districts with constrained property wealth,” State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) said. “Every child deserves an equal chance at a quality education, and I am glad we are able to offer a break for some of these families.”

Two local school districts will be eligible for the tax relief grant, including:

• Oak Park & River Forest District 200: $3,754,030.60
• Leyden Community High School District 212: $5,053,448.82

In order to receive the state grant, eligible school districts must submit an abatement resolution to their county clerks by March 30. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will then distribute the grants once receiving all abatement certificates.

More information on the Property Tax Relief Grant and a listing of each eligible school district can be found at www.ISBE.net/proptaxrelief.

Harmon praises action to ‘actively defend’ a woman’s right to choose

CHICAGO – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) released the following statement today after Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order ensuring that House Bill 40, which protects a woman’s right to choose in Illinois, will be enforced:

“I am thankful that, after years of hard work by advocates on this issue, we passed House Bill 40 and took what should have been an obvious stance: that women are capable of making their own decisions about their reproductive health.

“And today we affirm that those decisions should not be limited by income level or place of employment. With women’s reproductive rights under constant assault at the federal level, I am thankful we have a governor ready to actively defend them in Illinois.”

Harmon measure regulating gun dealers becomes law

CHICAGO – Sixteen years after State Senator Don Harmon first introduced similar legislation, Gov. JB Pritzker today signed his measure requiring gun dealers to be certified by the state.

“When I first introduced a version of this bill in 2003, I thought we would be having this celebration a little sooner,” Harmon said. “This bill will help, but there’s more work to be done. I ask all of our dedicated supporters to remain in this fight."

The Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act contains provisions to better record and track private gun sales. It treats all firearm licensees the same, regardless of their size. It requires the Illinois State Police, rather than the state agency that regulates professions and occupations, to certify gun dealers.

Additional provisions in the bipartisan proposal include:

• requiring gun dealers to safely store firearms at all times,
• requiring gun dealers to make copies of FOID cards or IDs and attach them to documentation detailing each gun sale,
• requiring employees to undergo annual training about the law and responsible business practices, and
• requiring gun dealers to open their place of business for inspection by state and local police.

Harmon’s district includes portions of the West Side of Chicago, an area that has been plagued with gun violence for years. As of Dec. 23, the Chicago Police Department reported 555 homicides in Chicago in 2018.

“Gun violence is a complex problem, and no one law will solve it,” Harmon said. “But we know that other states that have enacted similar laws to this one have seen a reduction in guns used in crimes. I am grateful to Gov. Pritzker for signing this legislation into law.”