Yesterday, the governor signed legislation that guarantees the Illinois Poison Center will receive the stable funding source it needs to stay open through at least 2018.

"This is a good day for the Poison Center and the parents, medical professionals and others who rely on its services," said State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), who negotiated the agreement for guaranteed funding.

Earlier this year, the Poison Center announced that it would be forced to close its doors on June 30 if the state could not find a stable funding source to replace declining state contributions.

If legislation that passed the General Assembly is signed into law, the state of Illinois will invest $30 million in solar energy next year. This investment will likely create hundreds of new jobs, generate 15 megawatts of solar energy and reduce pollution.

"Illinois has the second greatest solar energy potential in all the Midwest," said State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), the measure's sponsor, citing information from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. "We've seen wind power take off in the last few years. This investment could kick start a similar revolution in solar energy."

Gives psychologists limited prescription authority

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois faces a shortage of primary care physicians, particularly in the field of mental health. State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) is taking on this problem by giving psychologists – under the careful supervision of doctors – the ability to prescribe some mental health medication.

“We need to do a better job of treating mental illnesses the same way we do physical maladies,” Harmon said. “When someone needs help, they can’t always wait weeks or travel great distances. Mental health care shortages can cost lives and cause needless suffering.”

Harmon’s legislation, Senate Bill 2187, allows psychologists who are willing to undertake additional rigorous training to prescribe certain medications commonly used to treat mental illness, such as Prozac.

SPRINGFIELD – After months of working to find a reliable funding source for the embattled Illinois Poison Center, State Senator Don Harmon has found a plan that he is confident will work. It has already passed both houses of the Illinois General Assembly and awaits the governor’s consideration.

After his original plan – “The 2 Cent Solution” – hit a roadblock in the Illinois House, Harmon began working with the plan’s House sponsor, Representative Camille Lilly (D-Oak Park), to evaluate other alternatives that would allow the Poison Center to stay open and provide vital services to Illinois parents, medical professionals and others.

“Keeping the Illinois Poison Center open is vitally important,” Harmon said. “It saves lives and provides peace of mind to parents when their children swallow things they shouldn’t.”