Illinois State Senator Laura Fine

Senator Fine bill to create database on safety of children’s products

Details: Category: Press Releases; Wednesday, May 17, 2023 09:53 AM

Sen. Laura Fine

SPRINGFIELD – A new initiative from State Senator Laura Fine will require the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to maintain a database on the safety of consumer products, making safety information much more accessible to protect Illinois children.

“It can be difficult for parents to know where to look for the most up-to-date information about product safety,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Having a standard database that caregivers trust will bring peace of mind to parents, as well as prevent tragedies from taking place.”

Currently, families and caregivers do not have a clear resource to check if a product or toy is safe for their child to use, or if there were any recalls of the product. DCFS is currently only required by state law to contact childcare facilities without internet access about relevant product recalls. Those facilities with internet access must research recalls through their own means.

Fine commemorates Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Awareness Day

Details: Category: Press Releases; Tuesday, May 16, 2023 06:17 PM

Sen. Laura Fine

SPRINGFIELD – To bring awareness to Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), which impacts one in every 6,000 newborns in the U.S., State Senator Laura Fine introduced Senate Resolution 60 commemorating May 15 as Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Awareness Day.

“TSC can cause long-lasting complications on a young person’s health and is unfortunately often misdiagnosed,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Observing Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Awareness Day will increase knowledge of this disease and hopefully help people find a correct diagnosis to get the most effective treatment to improve their health.”

TSC is a multi-system genetic disease that causes non-cancerous tumors in the brain and other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, lungs and skin. It can also affect the central nervous system leading to seizures, impaired intellectual development, autism, behavioral problems, skin abnormalities and kidney diseases. Most people with TSC start experiencing symptoms when they are a year old. However, identifying symptoms of the disease take longer to develop so TSC can be misdiagnosed or missed for many years.

Senator Fine lays foundation for statewide behavioral health crisis system

Details: Category: Uncategorised; Friday, May 12, 2023 01:38 PM

Sen. Laura Fine

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to improve the behavioral health crisis response system, State Senator Laura Fine has passed the Strengthening and Transforming Behavioral Health Crisis Care in Illinois Act. This will ensure we have a dependable behavioral health crisis system, including the 9-8-8 hotline.

“We need to make certain Illinoisans have an effective behavioral health crisis response system that can meet their needs,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This legislation will help us assess the quality and affordability of behavioral health crisis services and as a result, make improvements to the system.”

House Bill 3230 would require an independent third party to conduct a cost analysis of a statewide initiative for the coordination and delivery of the continuum of behavioral health crisis response services in the state. Following the results of the report, a working group will develop recommendations for a cohesive behavioral health crisis response system that will be able to support the needs of Illinoisans. This would include the costs of maintaining crisis call centers, staffing, technological infrastructure enhancements and more.

Senator Fine measure to make specialty services more accessible for HMO patients passes Senate

Details: Category: Press Releases; Thursday, May 11, 2023 12:23 PM

Sen. Laura Fine

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine’s legislation to eliminate hurdles HMO patients face when seeking treatment by medical specialists passed the Senate on Thursday, moving it one step closer to becoming law.

“The current HMO system can cause serious delays for people who need specialized care, which can lead to adverse health effects,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This new measure will ensure patients can get the care they need as soon as possible to allow them to start feeling healthy again.”

House Bill 1186 would allow HMO patients to have appointments and receive care with in-network specialists covered by their insurance, eliminating the requirement to get a referral from a general practitioner. This will allow HMO patients to get the care they need in a timely manner.

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I am proud to serve as the State Senator from Illinois’ 9th Senate District. I hope you’ll find this site a useful resource in keeping up to date with what’s happening in our district and in Springfield. Please contact any of my offices with questions or ways I can better serve you.

It is my honor to represent you in Springfield.

Sincerely,

Laura Fine Signaure