SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) met with a group of students on Tuesday from East Palos Elementary School for Tech Day.

The group came to the Capitol to show members of the General Assembly projects they completed during the current school year and advocate to legislators about the importance of funding for education.

“The projects East Palos students presented were absolutely remarkable,” Jones said. “I was truly impressed by these students’ ability to effectively use technology as a tool to give their project more detail and clarity.”

Jones said funding education at an adequate level is a top priority for him and other lawmakers.

“Providing adequate funding for education is unquestionably one of the most important funding issues in our budget.” Jones said. “With advances in technology, we need to ensure that we are giving the next generation the tools to succeed and compete in a growing, technology centered global economy.”

“Autism is a statewide epidemic deeply affecting many in our communities I have long been committed to raising awareness of. I am proud to support this resolution alongside my fellow senators to ensure we bring necessary attention to this issue.” – Sen. Emil Jones III

SPRINGFIELD – Sen. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) supported a resolution this week in the Illinois Senate commemorating World Autism Day. 

Jones co-sponsored the measure, Senate Resolution 218, that marks April 2, 2013 as World Autism Awareness Day in the State of Illinois and pledges the state Government’s continued support to Illinois families impacted by autism.

“Autism is a statewide epidemic deeply affecting many in our communities I have long been committed to raising awareness of,” Jones said. “I am proud to support this resolution alongside my fellow senators to ensure we bring necessary attention to this issue.”

Autism spectrum disorders are classified as chronic neurologically based developmental disabilities with undetermined causes. These conditions manifest during early childhood and impact mildly to severely the afflicted individuals’ cognitive, social and emotional functioning on various levels.

“This issue is important to the 14th District I represent where many residents are either employed by or receive care on behalf of this program. The care of our elderly, who are vital parts of our communities, must be a priority.” – Sen. Emil Jones III

SPRINGFIELD – Responding to the significant need to provide for the health care of Illinois’ elderly, Sen. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) supported legislation offering relief for the Illinois Department on Aging’s Community Care Program that offers in-home care and community-based services for senior citizens.

“This issue is important to the 14th District I represent where many residents are either employed by or receive care on behalf of this program,” Jones said. “The care of our elderly, who are valuable parts of our communities, must be a priority. That’s the message we are sending with the approval of this legislation and that’s what we in government must remain resolved to uphold.”

The measure, HB 207, allots $173 million in General Revenue Funds for the Dept. on Aging’s Community Care Program serving an estimated 84,400 individuals that was severely underfunded in the original FY 13 budget proposal. 

“Providing this funding to help reduce the Department on Aging’s bill backlog that continues to grow is being not just fiscally responsible but committed to our senior citizens’ care,” Jones said.

HB 207 also provides $151 million GRF to the Healthcare Provider Relief fund with the intent of reimbursement for medical providers for the services they provide Medicaid patients.

Without this supplemental appropriation by the General Assembly, the Department on Aging is estimated to have over $317 million in backlogged bills by June 30, 2013. With this additional appropriation, the bill backlog reduces to nearly $144 million.

HB 207 was approved by the Senate unanimously and now awaits the approval of Governor Pat Quinn.