Lake County News-Sun - February 2, 2018 | original article

By Jim Newton

Proposed state legislation to raise the purchasing age of tobacco to 21, a move several Lake County communities have already taken and others are studying, is sponsored by some local legislators and has the support of county health officials.

State Sen. Terry Link, D-Vernon Hills, one of the bill's sponsors, said this week that with tobacco use on the rise among teens for the first time in years, it is the perfect time to have a uniform age of 21 established for legally purchasing tobacco in Illinois. State Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield, introduced the bill in the Senate.

Link said the proposed statewide law, known as "Tobacco 21," would increase the momentum of the Smoke Free Illinois law passed more than a decade ago that banned smoking in most public places. Lake County was also a leader in supporting and implementing that law.

"Smoke Free Illinois was a major step forward in improving the health of Illinoisans and making our state a better place to live," Link said. "Tobacco 21 builds on that effort by reducing the number of teen smokers and curbing the next generation of adult smokers, moving us one step closer to a healthier, smoke-free Illinois."

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SPRINGFIELD – Scratch-off lottery players may have lost out on millions of dollars in prizes because the state’s private lottery manager ended the games before all, or in some cases any, of the promised grand prizes were awarded, according to a recent Chicago Tribune investigation.

State Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) was outraged at the findings and called for the state to look into what is going on.

“We have to look at these numbers and be concerned,” Link said. “We also have to question the lack of transparency in this whole process ever since Northstar took over. I represent the state of Illinois and its residents who should be receiving the money they are promised if they win.”

The report showed that under the management of Northstar Lottery Group, the Illinois Lottery’s 17 biggest-prize instant games awarded less than 60 percent of their grand prizes. The Tribune reported that one of the games would have paid out $10 million more if it paid out at its rate of 78 percent, instead of 61 percent.

“The lottery is not called the Northstar Lottery. It is the Illinois Lottery, and it is responsible to those who play and the taxpayers to keep their promises,” Link said.

State Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) and State Representative Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) joined many other community organizations, government officials and residents for the Vernon Hills Park District Annual Fun Fair. The community event provided families an opportunity to trick or treat with their children in all their costumes. The Office of State Senator Terry Link hoped everyone had a safe and happy Halloween.

WAUKEGAN — On Wednesday, State Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) joined other local officials and Walgreens to unveil new medication disposal kiosks at three Lake County Walgreens locations.

Link says that providing safe opportunities to dispose of old and unused medication will help the state in fighting the opioid addiction crisis. In 2014, he pushed legislation through the General Assembly that would allow police departments to safely collect unused and expired medications.

“Fighting drug addiction needs to be a top priority in Illinois. By providing places that residents can safely deposit their unused medications, we can eliminate opportunities for drug abuse by others,” Link said. “This proactive step by Walgreens will create a safer Illinois and continue the fight against prescription drug abuse.”

The kiosks are available at three locations in Lake County. There are more than 45 already placed across the state of Illinois. The kiosks are available during regular pharmacy hours.