New Law Adds Seizures to List of Debilitating Medical Conditions Under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to add the treatment of adults and children with seizures to the state's Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protecting and improving the health of the people of Illinois.

"This new law will help alleviate the suffering of many adults and children across the state," Governor Quinn said.  "Epilepsy is a debilitating condition, and this much needed relief will help to reduce some of its symptoms for those who endure seizures. The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act is now designed to help our fellow citizens of all ages by allowing its strictly controlled use for specific medical conditions."

"This legislation was really an initiative by scores of families in Illinois with children that experience literally hundreds of seizures a day," Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago President and CEO Kurt Florian said. "Many of these families have uprooted for treatment in Colorado and have experienced dramatic reductions in seizures from oil based, low to zero THC medical cannabis. We are thankful to our sponsors and applaud Governor Quinn for signing this legislation which will help hundreds of children and families."

Senate Bill 2636, sponsored by State Senator Iris Martinez (D-Chicago) and State Representative Lou Lang (D-Skokie), amends the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act to allow children under 18, with a parent's consent, to be treated with non-smokable forms of medical marijuana for the same range of conditions now available to adults. The bill also adds seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy, to the list of debilitating medical conditions that can legally be treated with medical marijuana. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will create rules for the treatment of children using medical marijuana. The legislation is effective Jan. 1, 2015.

"I'm pleased that legislators on both sides of the aisle came together to pass legislation that means everything to these families," Senator Martinez said. "My colleagues and I have been deeply moved by the plight of these children and their parents, who courageously and tenaciously pursue any option that could bring relief and better health to their kids. There is no better reward for public service than having the opportunity to ease the suffering of a child."

"This gives parents an important, life-saving treatment option for their children who have epilepsy," State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge), the bill's chief co-sponsor, said. "It gives their kids, who are faced with the daily threats of seizures, the opportunity to improve their quality of life."

"I am pleased that Governor Quinn has agreed to sign this important legislation, which provides needed help to those of all ages who suffer with epilepsy and creates a pathway for children with other painful and debilitating medical conditions to secure a much better quality of life," Representative Lang said. "Without the strong support and encouragement from Governor Quinn, the program would never have gotten off the ground."

"I have a 14 year old constituent by the name of Hugh who lives with Epilepsy," House Republican leader and chief co-sponsor Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said. "His parents, Bob and Kelly, want to provide their son with as much relief as possible. Unfortunately, traditional medications and methods have not worked.  It's our hope that this new law will provide much needed relief for Hugh and thousands of other children."

"My family is grateful to the Illinois Legislature and Governor for their sensible addition of those with seizure conditions to the Compassionate Care Act," Randy Gross, the parent of a child with epilepsy, said. "We admire their particular courage in explicitly including children with seizures, and in giving an option to children with other chronic conditions to petition for relief. On behalf of all parents of those with epilepsy, we would also like to thank the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago for their support and guidance of this effort as well. Finally, for those of us who left Illinois to pursue this treatment, we are overjoyed and anxious to come home soon."

The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act, which Governor Quinn signed into law in 2013, will help ease pain for people across Illinois who suffer from debilitating medical conditions. Illinois became the 21st state to enact such legislation, which includes some of the nation's strongest restrictions on the cultivation, dispensing and use of medical marijuana. Scientific evidence has found that medical cannabis can provide relief from continual pain, nausea and discomfort more effectively than conventional medications for patients suffering from serious ailments, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and HIV.

Lt. Governor Simon: Protect Women`s Access to Health Care  

AURORA – Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will tour a health clinic in Aurora on Wednesday and advocate for full access to birth control coverage and preventive care.

"A woman`s decision to use birth control is a personal one, and her boss should not be able to interfere with it," Simon said.

Simon`s visit comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 30 that some corporate employers can use religious objections to deny access to birth control coverage. Legislation to override the decision is expected to move on Wednesday, and Illinois voters will be asked to weigh in on an advisory referendum in November asking whether any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides prescription drug coverage should be required to include prescription birth control.

TIME: 2:15 p.m.

DATE: July 16

LOCATION: Aurora Health Center, 3051 E. New York St., Aurora

NOTE: Simon`s tour will be private due to patient confidentiality. The media availability will take place in the clinic waiting room.

Scott County Administration Building

First Floor Boardroom

July 21, 2014

2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

1. Roll Call

2. Approval of Minutes

2. Approval of the Revised Annual Service and Budget Plan

2. Transition Plan

2. Discussion/Approval of the Baker Tilly Report

2. Approval of Service Agreements from Each County

2. HIPAA- ISAC Calling In

2. Approval of FY15 Service Contracts:

a. Handicapped Development Center (HDC)

b. Vera French CMHC

c. Compassion Counseling

d. Crossroads

e. Senior Resources

f. Optimae Life Solutions

g. Consumer Design Services

h. Cornerstone Wellness

i. Mediapolis Care Facility

j. Pathway Living Center, Inc.

k. Wagner Pharmacy

l. Bridgeview CMHC

m. Mercy Medical Center- Clinton

n. Skyline, Inc.

o. DHS Targeted Case Management

p. Family Counseling and Psychology Center, P.C.

q. Liberty Counseling

r. Lutheran Services in Iowa

2. Regional Board Designation of Targeted Case Management Entities

2. CEO Report

2. Financial Report

2. Other Items

2. Public Comment

2. Adjournment

Say No to Soda, Yes to Healthy Drinks

Learn five reasons why soda is bad for you and five healthy drinks that are better for quenching your thirst.

Sodas are sweet, sparkling and tasty ? but don't confuse them with a healthy drink. Doctors have discovered a ton of health risks connected with drinking soda pop. Worse, you're robbing yourself of a healthy drink alternative brimming with needed vitamins and minerals every time you chug down a soft drink.

"If you're choosing a soda, chances are you aren't choosing a healthy beverage," says Keri M. Gans, a nutrition consultant in New York City and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. There are a number of healthy drink choices you can make instead.

Why Say No to Soda?

• Soda is truly worthless to your body. "In my opinion, there's really one major reason to not drink soda," Gans says. "It has absolutely no nutritional value. Soda is filled with sugar and calories and nothing else." Even diet sodas ? low to no calories and sugar ? don't have any redeeming virtues, nutritionally. Healthy drinks, on the other hand, have vitamins and minerals the body can use. Even plain water can rehydrate your body without adding extra calories to your diet.
• Sugary sodas contribute to obesity and diabetes. Soda is loaded with high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener that has been linked to obesity. Soda consumption also has been linked to the development of type 2 diabetes, both due to its sugar content and its effects on the body's hormones. And diet soda? It may not be any better. At least one study has linked artificial sweeteners, such as those used in diet sodas, to increased appetite, greater difficulty losing weight, and a harder time maintaining weight loss.
• Soda damages your teeth. The sugar in soda coats your teeth, combining with bacteria in your mouth to form acid. Both regular and diet soda also contain carbolic acid through carbonation. These acids work to weaken tooth enamel, causing cavities and tooth decay.
• Drinking soda can weaken your bones. Most sodas contain phosphorous and caffeine, agents that are believed to contribute to osteoporosis. Experts also worry that people consume soda in place of milk or other healthy drinks, depriving the bones of calcium.
• Soda can harm your major organs. Research has demonstrated that increased soft drink consumption may be linked to chronic kidney disease, development of metabolic syndrome (a group of symptoms that add up to increased heart risk), and fatty liver, a chronic liver disease.

Healthy Drink Alternatives

Luckily, there are limitless options when choosing a healthy drink over a soda pop. Some soda alternatives include :

• Water. It is the ultimate healthy drink. "It's free in every sense of the word," Gans says. "It has no calories and it comes straight from your tap."
• Fruit juice. Gans urges you not to drink straight fruit juice, which contains a lot of sugar. "Drink some seltzer with a splash of juice for a little flavoring," she says. "Rather than drinking juice, eat a piece of whole fruit. You're also getting the fiber in the fruit."
• Milk. This is another essential healthy drink, particularly for kids. "An 8-ounce glass of nonfat milk has 80 calories and nine essential nutrients," Gans says. "You get a lot of bang for your buck."
• Tea. Whatever teas you prefer ? green, black, herbal ? they all have been shown to contain high levels of antioxidants, which are believed to protect the body from damage.
• Powdered drink mixes. They contain no tooth-rotting carbonation, and come in sugar-free varieties. They give your sweet tooth a fix without harming your overall nutrition.

And remember that you can always cut up some fresh fruit and pop a little into a tall glass of water for an extra flavor kick. Choosing healthy drinks over soda: Give it a try. Your body will thank you.