SPRINGFIELD – After over thirty changes to legislation that would significantly reform the way Illinois does business, State Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) joined colleagues to attempt to push forward with a plan to put Illinois’ fiscal house back in order.

“We have tried again and again to close the gap that the governor insists is still there,” Link said. “We tried to compromise and yet we are left empty-handed because this governor wants to campaign instead of govern. The people of Illinois are tired of being close and are demanding results.”
                                                                      
Senator Link continues to work toward finding a path that avoids putting Illinois closer to the point of no return.

SPRINGFIELD—This week, Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) voted with his colleagues to pass automatic voter registration.

“We should make it easier to vote, not harder,” Link said. “This legislation will ensure that every Illinois resident who is eligible to vote doesn’t have to go through the sometimes burdensome process to register. This only enhances the voice of the voter during an election.”

Senate Bill 1933 would automatically register a qualified voter who presents all the information necessary to register to a government agency. This would most commonly occur at the secretary of state’s office who would then forward the information to the State Board of Elections for verification.

If a person does not wish to register they would be given the option to opt out.

The legislation now moves to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Spouses of servicemen and women could be able to claim a property tax credit thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) that passed the Illinois State Senate.

The legislation, Senate Bill 87, would extend the Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead Exemption to all spouses of military members who would have otherwise been eligible for the credit. It also would expand it to spouses of veterans who was killed in the line of duty and their death was determined to be service-related.

“Spouses of military members make significant sacrifices when their husband or wife serve in our armed services. Those sacrifices should be honored,” Link said. “This is just one small thing we can do as a state to respect that sacrifice.”

The legislation now moves to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – People struggling with multiple sclerosis could have an opportunity to ask for an exception to treatment limitations due to legislation passed by State Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills).

“Restricting treatment for the more than 20,000 Illinois residents living with multiple sclerosis is atrocious,” Link said. “These restrictions mean that people diagnosed with MS are not allowed to get the medically recommended treatment they need.”

Senate Bill 193 would require that insurance companies offer an exceptions process for patients with multiple sclerosis to request an exception to a treatment limitation. It would also require that the insurance company would have 72 hours to accept or deny the exception request. Limitations include being subject to waiting periods, cost sharing limits and other limits.

“By taking this step, insurance companies now have to justify to people why they are denying their medically necessary treatment,” Link said. “This is a small step in the long fight to push for a compassionate Illinois that helps people manage their symptoms appropriately.”

Currently, insurance companies can limit the number of physical therapy session covered even if more sessions are deemed medically necessary.

The legislation moves to the House for further consideration.