SPRINGFIELD – To make it easier for people with disabilities and senior citizens to keep their free and reduced fare public transportation benefits, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a measure out of the Senate on Thursday.

Senate Bill 1892 provides that Regional Transportation Authority benefits for people with disabilities and senior citizens will, after an initial eligibility determination is made for a Ride Free card, automatically renew every five years after receiving a copy of the individual's government ID to verify their Illinois residency. The bill eliminates the need for a customer to recertify their income or disability status. 

“Working with my own constituents living with disabilities, we were able to come up with this legislation which will remove unnecessary steps for the disabled who rely on public transit,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “People in the 7^th District, especially those living with disabilities and our seniors, rely on our public transportation. This bill will help them maintain their access to CTA, Metra and Pace services so they no longer need to worry about navigating confusing agency renewal policies.”

Currently RTA’s Ride Free and Reduced Fare cards for CTA, Metra and Pace buses and trains are valid for up to two years. However, this bill will automatically renew cards for those who may not be able to travel to a physical location to renew or who do not have the means or access to the internet to renew online.

“I want to thank my constituents and the RTA for their hard work on this important legislation,” Simmons said. “This bill will ensure public transit services are more accessible and can be provided without restriction and unnecessary back and forth.”

Senate Bill 1892 passed the Senate on Thursday and now heads to the House for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To expand coverage for preventative screenings for liver disease, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced legislation out of the Senate on Thursday. 

“Liver disease is a silent killer. Often there are no symptoms for years until the disease is very advanced, so early detection can be vital in ensuring people with liver damage get referral to specialty care and treatments that can improve long-term health outcomes and save lives,” said Simmons (D- Chicago). 

Senate Bill 1282 requires Medicaid, private insurance plans and government employee insurance plans to cover preventative screenings for liver disease for individuals who are at high risk for liver disease, ages 35-65 years old. Those screenings can include high quality preventative screenings such as liver ultrasounds, liver function tests, and other screenings that can help with early detection and management of liver disease.

According to the CDC, in 2021, 56,585 adults in the U.S. died from liver disease, making it the ninth leading cause of death.

“Our goal is to improve health outcomes for people who are both underinsured and at-risk for liver disease, especially those who struggle with substance abuse and addiction,” said Simmons. “Those who are both underinsured and at-risk for liver disease need to know what is going on with their bodies. The cost of any screening should never be a reason to forgo care. Liver disease is a leading cause of death; this bill will prevent avoidable and premature deaths by providing equitable preventive health care.”

Senate Bill 1282 passed the Senate on Thursday and now heads to the House.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase the availability and accessibility of mental health resources for students, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced an initiative out of the Senate on Wednesday.

“Mental health has become a leading concern for parents and children today, yet there are still gaps in mental health care,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This legislation will help to support youth, their families, and schools by providing support, access and resources so students can find mental health care while they are at school.”

Senate Bill 1709 would require the Illinois Department of Human Services and the State Board of Education to provide technical assistance for mental health care during school days to help increase the access students have to mental health services.

This initiative will complement the recently launched Illinois Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative, specifically recommendation 5 in the report, by identifying and filling in gaps that exist in school-based mental health care. 

“Our students’ mental and physical well-being must be our top priority,” Simmons said. “We will need to triple our commitment in the next five years to shore up unmet mental health needs our youth have, and this legislation helps us move in that direction.”

Senate Bill 1709 passed the Senate on Wednesday and now heads to the House floor.

SPRINGFIELD – Following two fatal cycling accidents in the 7^th District, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a measure out of the Senate to increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists by requiring permanent vehicle crossing signs be added to bike trails.

“All pedestrians and cyclists should know that they are safe when choosing a mode of transportation alternative to a motor vehicle,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Last summer we tragically lost two toddlers in two separate cycling accidents. This bill is in direct response to those preventable tragedies, addressing the need for greater protections overall for bicyclists and pedestrians.”

Senate Bill 1710 expands the responsibility of any entity that owns a bike trail, requiring them to erect warning signs along the path warning pedestrians and cyclists of a vehicle crossing at least 150 feet before the crossing. The bill ensures cyclists on a trail have ample warning to know when to slow down and stop before a busy intersection. Permanent signage on state roadways warning vehicles of bicycle trail crossings will also be erected within 150 feet of a trail crossing so vehicles can yield. 

The signage will also be erected along bike trails to warn cyclists of other trail hazards, damage to the trail, and maintenance being performed on the trail. 

“Alternative forms of transportation, whether it’s children going for a bike ride with friends or an employee biking to work to save on gas, should know they are just as safe and secure as traveling by car,” Simmons said. “Required crossing signs on bike trails and roadways is a common-sense action we can take to keep everyone - motorists and non-motorists, safer.”

Senate Bill 1710 passed the Senate on Wednesday and now heads to the House for consideration.