SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - To stop damage to public health and safety due to the state's financial uncertainty, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, recently vote to send funds to fire fighter training programs, a program to help parents prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and screenings for breast and cervical cancer.
"It is devastating to me that women will not be able to receive life-saving cancer screenings, like the one that led to my wife's breast cancer diagnosis and treatment," Smiddy said. "Debates over policy and financial decisions are impacting Illinois families in irreversible and dangerous ways, and I will continue to speak out for these vital needs."
Without a final state budget, more programs and services in Illinois are facing shutdown. Smiddy voted to support an amendment to House Bill 4155 in order to provide funds to some state programs in the midst of this impasse. The proposal, which had enough support to advance but not to become law, would pay for local fire grants, Illinois Fire Service Institute fire fighters trainings, and emergency response equipment. Secondly, Smiddy backed the measure to continue the SIDS of Illinois Program, which provides counselling and support services to help families prevent the sudden and unexpected death of their infant. The amendment also included money for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, which offers free mammograms, breast exams, pelvic exams and pap tests to eligible women.
"Illinois residents deserve to have programs available to keep them safe," Smiddy said. "I remain ready to work with all sides to reach a quick and complete resolution to our state's financial challenges."
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