SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) is working with Representative Camille Lilly (D-Chicago) to improve the openness and transparency of Illinois state government by ensuring that Illinois residents know more about the services their state government offers.

They are sponsoring legislation that will create “Department Ambassadors” within the Department of Human Services. These ambassadors will work directly with the public to help ensure that everyone knows about the services the department offers and to connect people with the appropriate offices to apply for relevant programs.

“Too often, people don’t even know what their government does for them,” Harmon said. “Creating Department Ambassadors is a way to push government services to the people and communities who need them.”

Passes plan to let trained psychologists prescribe meds
 
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 trying to give psychologists – under the supervision of doctors – the ability to prescribe medication.
 
“Recent events like the tragedy in Newtown have demonstrated how important it is to make sure people have access to mental health care,” Harmon said. “There simply aren’t enough psychiatrists to meet demand, so we need to find a way to fill the gap.”
 
Harmon’s legislation, Senate Bill 2187, allows psychologists who are willing to undertake additional training similar to nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants to prescribe medication under the supervision of licensed medical doctors.

People across Cook and DuPage County have been dealing with the effects of the recent flooding. While many of our communities have already started to clean up and return to normal, much of the region is still under water or are about to see more flooding.

I would like to take this opportunity to pass along some helpful information and resources.

Resources

Below are links for up-to-date information on the ongoing flooding issues:

•     Road Closures
•     River Closures
•     Volunteer Opportunities
•     General Information
  

IEMA

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is one of the best resources for weather and flood updates. Click here for IEMA's site and contact information or call 217-782-0922

National Weather Service/NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association provides up-to-date information on flooding and forecasting for future floods.

The American Red Cross

Below is the hotline for the Red Cross, they can provide additional emergency support and disaster relief resources.

1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767)

For power outages or electrical issues, contact ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1.

For advice about filing an insurance claim, visit floodsmart.gov.

For additional flood updates and safety information, visit Illinois.gov/ready.

If you’d like to help with the flood relief efforts, visit Illinois.gov/ready for volunteer information.

Likewise, please contact my office if you have additional concerns or issues

UPDATE: Governor Quinn signed Senate Bill 724 on Sunday, May 5 in Oak Park. The legislation takes effect immediately. Click on the links below to read more about the signing of this legislation or read further for the original press release relating to this bill.

Read more:

Quinn signs liquor law at Maya del Sol (OakPark.com)
New law will allow incoming Oak Park Mayor to keep liquor-serving restaurant (CBS Chicago)

Original Release, April 22, 2013:
SPRINGFIELD – Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) is sponsoring legislation that would clear away a state hurdle preventing Oak Park Village President-elect Anan Abu-Taleb from also holding a liquor license. The measure, Senate Bill 724, passed the Illinois Senate 47-3 on April 18 and is expected to be taken up by the House when it returns to the Capitol in two weeks.

The 1934 Liquor Control Act established that suburban mayors or village presidents would also serve as local liquor control commissioner, but to avoid conflicts of interest, could not hold liquor licenses in the communities that elected them.

The General Assembly amended the law last year to exempt communities of 50,000 or less and provide for delegation of liquor commissioner duties to another official in such cases.