Legislation Filed to Restructure Medicaid, 10 Days Left in Spring Session

SPRINGFIELD - May 21, 2012. With 10 days until the end of the spring legislative session, Governor Quinn today urged lawmakers to act to restructure the state's Medicaid and pension systems. Today House Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 2840, also called the SMART Act, was filed to restructure the Medicaid system. The bill is based on the Governor's proposal to save Medicaid, which is on the brink of collapse.

"If we do not address pensions and Medicaid now - before the spring session ends - our Medicaid system will collapse and leave thousands of our most vulnerable families without access to vital services," Governor Quinn said. "There are 10 days left to do the right thing, and I urge legislators to act now in order to preserve both systems for years to come."

The Save Medicaid Access and Resources Together (SMART) Act is based on a comprehensive review of the Medicaid program conducted by the working group, which is comprised of members of both legislative caucuses and led by the governor's office. House Amendment 3 to SB 2840, sponsored by Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), scales the program to fit existing appropriations through spending reductions, utilization controls and provider rate cuts.

Together, Medicaid and pensions account for 39 percent of state general revenue spending, putting a tremendous squeeze on the rest of the budget. Illinois is expected to end this fiscal year with almost $2 billion in unpaid Medicaid bills, caused in part by rising medical costs, increased enrollment during the economic recession and a deferral of $1.9 billion in last year's bills to this fiscal year. Without immediate and fundamental restructuring of the Medicaid system, the non-partisan Civic Federation projects that Illinois' unpaid bills will rise to $21 billion by 2017.

Illinois' pension system is now under-funded by $83 billion due to decades of inadequate funding by past lawmakers and governors, and the promise of increased benefits without sufficient revenue to pay for those benefits. Under Governor Quinn, as annual required contributions increased dramatically, the state paid exactly what the law required into the pension systems. The fiscal year 2013 payment of $5.2 billion, now makes up 15 percent of general revenue fund spending compared to 6 percent a few years ago.

Governor Quinn recently proposed a plan to fundamentally restructure the Medicaid system and save it from collapse by creating $2.7 billion in savings. The Governor's Medicaid plan cuts waste, fraud and abuse; raises the price of cigarettes; and brings back dollar-for-dollar federal matching funds to help keep people healthier. The Governor also recently proposed a bold plan to stabilize the pension system, which is expected to save taxpayers $65 to $85 billion, eliminate the unfunded liability and allow public employees who have faithfully contributed to the system to continue to receive pension benefits. For more information, please visit SaveOurState.Illinois.Gov.

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SPRINGFIELD - May 2, 2012. In his keynote address at the Illinois Retail Merchants Association's annual business day, Governor Pat Quinn called on Illinois business leaders to push for solutions that rescue Illinois' Medicaid and public pension systems this legislative session. The two fast-growing areas of state spending are on unsustainable paths, jeopardizing their existence, those who depend on them, and the state's ability to fund core services like education and public safety. Uncertainty caused by inaction on these two critical issues makes it more difficult for businesses and the state to plan for long-term needs and growth.

"The best thing we can do for businesses right now in Illinois is restore fiscal stability to our state," Governor Quinn said. "I urge you to advocate for solutions on pensions and Medicaid like never before and make sure your voice is heard these next few weeks by the members of the General Assembly."

Governor Quinn recently proposed a plan to fundamentally restructure the Medicaid system and save it from collapse by creating $2.7 billion in savings. The governor's Medicaid plan cuts waste, fraud and abuse, and raises the price of cigarettes to bring back dollar for dollar federal matching funds and help make people healthier. The governor also recently proposed a bold plan to stabilize the pension system, which is expected to save taxpayers $65 to $85 billion, eliminate the unfunded liability and allow public employees who have faithfully contributed to the system to continue to receive pension benefits.

Governor Quinn told business leaders in attendance that unless state lawmakers address these issues this spring, the consequences of inaction will be devastating to the state's economic recovery and ability to provide basic services.

Together, Medicaid and pensions now account for 39% of state general revenue spending, putting a tremendous squeeze on the rest of the budget. Illinois is expected to end this fiscal year with almost $2 billion in unpaid Medicaid bills, caused in part by rising medical costs, increased enrollment during the Great Recession and a deferral of $1.9 billion in last year's bills to this fiscal year. Without immediate and fundamental restructuring of the Medicaid system, the non-partisan Civic Federation projects that Illinois' unpaid bills will rise to $21 billion by 2017. According to the PEW Center for the States, Illinois' unfunded pension liability is the worst in the nation.

Ratings agencies have repeatedly cited continued inaction on Medicaid and pension reform as potential reasons to downgrade Illinois' bond rating, which could effectively halt critical capital improvements and road safety projects. Stabilizing these systems is also necessary to ensure the continuation of the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction plan, which has benefited businesses across the state through modern infrastructure that increases efficiency and keeps them competitive.

For more information about Governor Quinn's reform proposals that will save Illinois' Medicaid and pension systems to make them sustainable, while restoring stability to the state budget, please visit his announcements for Medicaid and pension reform.

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Governor's Volunteer Service Awards Honor Service, Leadership

 

SPRINGFIELD - Thursday, April 19, 2012.  On behalf of Governor Pat Quinn, the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service presented 24 Illinois residents with the Governor's Volunteer Service Award today during a reception at the Executive Mansion. The award recognizes volunteers who have made a difference in Illinois, and highlights the importance of volunteerism and community service.

 

"Every day in Illinois, thousands of volunteers donate their time and talents to help others and to build stronger communities," Governor Quinn said. "We honor these individuals who have made a difference in our state and set an example for others to follow with their initiative, creativity and energy."

 

The Governor's Volunteer Service Awards focus on five areas: economic opportunity, education, environmental conservation, disaster preparedness/response, health and veterans' affairs. Individual awards in each of the commission's five service regions (Northeast, Northwest, East Central, West Central and Southern Illinois) are presented in three categories: youth ages 18 and under, adult ages 19-54, and seniors ages 55 and older. Additionally, National Service Awards were presented to one Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve member in each region.

 

"Volunteerism is what makes life worth living, and I am proud to say that Illinois has a vast number of people that are working each day to improve all of our lives," Scott McFarland, acting executive director of Serve Illinois, said. "Through Serve Illinois, we hope to expand volunteerism throughout rural, suburban and urban Illinois, and involve people of all backgrounds, cultures and ages."

 

The Serve Illinois Commission is a 35-member, bipartisan board appointed by the Governor and administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services.  Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and supporting national service programs, including the Illinois AmeriCorps program. For more information, please visit www.Serve.Illinois.gov.

 

The following is a list of the 2012 Governor's Volunteer Service Award recipients. Recipient biographies can be found on Serve Illinois' website at www.Serve.Illinois.gov.

 

 

Southern Illinois Award Recipients

 

• Youth: Madelyn McGlynn - Belleville, Ill.
  For service to: Belleville Area Humane Society

 

• Adult: Kim Lingafelter - Albion, Ill.
  For service to: Hope Center and Southeastern Illinois

 

• Senior: Elmer Ragland - Waterloo, Ill.
  For service to: Lions Club

 

• AmeriCorps Member: Nathan Elwood - St. Louis, Mo.
  For service to: Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation

 

• Senior Corps Member: Lee Stowers - Mt. Vernon, Ill.
  For service to: One Hope United Foster Grandparent Program

 

East Central Illinois Award Recipients

 

• Youth: Mary Perkins - Effingham, Ill.
  For service to: University of Illinois Extension-Effingham County

 

• Adult: Teresa Haley - Springfield, Ill.
  For service to: NAACP

 

• Senior: Ellen Harms - Champaign, Ill.
  For service to: Daily Bread Soup Kitchen

 

• AmeriCorps Member: Jamie Hadley - Bloomington, Ill.
  For service to: McLean County Health Department

 

• Senior Corps Member: Jamie Storm - Springfield, Ill.
  For service to: Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center

 

West Central Illinois Award Recipients

 

• Adult: Lane Pfeiffer - Carlinville, Ill.
  For service to: Macoupin County Center for the Developmental Disabled; Carlinville Food Pantry;  Macoupin County Jail

 

 

• Senior: Bob Wiltz - Peoria, Ill.
  For service to: American Red Cross

 

• AmeriCorps Member: Karla Williams - Peoria, Ill.
  For service to: Children's Home Association of Illinois

 

• Senior Corps Member: Mike Faley - Peoria, Ill.
  For service to: OSF St. Francis Medical Center and Children's Hospital of Illinois

 

Northwest Illinois Award Recipients

 

• Youth: Alexis Ochoa - Rockford, Ill.
  For service to: Life Church

 

• Senior: Carole Perrin - Rockford, Ill.
  For service to: Carpenter's Place

 

• AmeriCorps Member: Leann Duncan - Rockton, Ill.
  For service to: Prairie State Legal Services

 

• Senior Corps Member: Steve Verdick - Carbon Cliff, Ill.
  For service to: RSVP of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois

 

Northeast Illinois Award Recipients

 

• Youth: Isha Jog - Schaumburg, Ill.
  For service to: D.A.R.E. American & Holiday Heroes

 

• Adult: Luciano Rodriguez - Naperville, Ill.
  For service to: People's Resource Center and St. Paul Lutheran Church

 

• Senior: Lou Ann Johnson - Crest Hill, Ill.
  For service to: National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc.

 

• Learn and Serve Member: Howard Allen Jones, Jr. - Oak Park, Ill.
  For service to: National Alliance for Mental Illness-Greater Chicago

 

• AmeriCorps Member: Monica Gonzalez - Chicago, Ill.
  For service to: Centro Sin Fronteras

 

• Senior Corps Member: Linda Kielas - Inverness, Ill.
  For service to: Palatine Emergency Management Agency

 

 

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Calls for All to Honor Hispanic Civil Rights Leader's
Legacy Through Service

 

CHICAGO - April 2, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today joined leaders from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) to commemorate the birth of America's greatest Hispanic civil rights leader by honoring the volunteers of the Uniting America service initiative. Volunteers performed thousands of hours of community service since the program's launch last summer. Today Governor Quinn called for all residents to honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez by recommitting themselves to community service.

 

"Service to others is the rent we pay for our place on Earth," Governor Quinn said. "We are all called to serve. Cesar Chavez spent his life working to improve the lives of others and our Uniting America volunteers live his legacy every day by going out into their communities to make a difference."

 

Uniting America is a volunteer program made possible through a strong partnership between the Governor's Office of New Americans (GONA) and ICIRR. It places Americorps volunteers within communities throughout the state to work on a wide variety of service projects that include park and school clean-ups, fundraising drives and citizenship workshops in immigrant communities.

 

"Having served in the Peace Corps after college, I understand how vital volunteerism is to bridging and creating healthy communities," said Lawrence Benito, executive director at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. "Through our Uniting America program, our fellows are immersed in communities working to build bridges and create healthy dialogues between immigrant and native born communities."

 

Uniting America has embarked on an ambitious 2012 agenda, with more than 100 community service and unity events planned. It hopes to recruit and train more than 8,000 additional volunteers to work on programs and activities that unite immigrants like citizenship workshops, immigrant civic engagement and community building. ICIRR has hosted nearly 1,200 volunteer-driven citizenship workshops in the past seven years, with volunteers performing more than 100,000 hours of outreach, legal assistance and tutoring.

 

In 2010, Governor Quinn signed an executive order reestablishing the Governor's Office of New Americans (GONA). The office builds upon the strength of immigrants, their families and their institutions and assists them in their journey towards self-sufficiency. About 20 percent of Illinois' population are immigrants or the children of immigrants. For more information about the Governor's Office of New Americans and the Uniting America initiative, visit http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/newamericans and www.ICIRR.org or contact GONA Director Denise Martinez at 312-814-6686.

 

 

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