“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.

“This continued and long-term commitment to bettering Illinois’ interstates, bridges and roads is inspiring and something I am glad to see” – Sen. Emil Jones III

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III (D–Chicago) reacted to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s unveiling on Wednesday of their $12.62 billion dollar roads project. Nearly $18 million of these funds will be invested in efforts toward renovating roads and bridges throughout South Chicagoland in areas encompassed by the 14th Senate District.

“This continued and long-term commitment to bettering Illinois’ interstates, bridges and roads is inspiring and something I am glad to see,” Jones said. “Sitting on the Senate Transportation committee and having a track record of consistently advocating public safety and community improvement, I am enthusiastic about these projects that will increase the safety our streets and be in the best interest of the citizens living in my district.”

The construction work on these projects is set to start in 2014 with the vast majority of the major efforts being staggered across a six-year span ending with Fiscal Year 19.

The regional projects in the 14th Senate District per IDOT’s announcement include:

· $500,000 toward removal and demolition of the abandoned 135th Bridge at 135th St. and Ashland Ave.

· $ 700,000 toward land acquisition and turn lanes at 143rd Street and Harlem Ave.

· $1,000,000 toward intersection reconstruction and land acquisition at 151st St. and Harlem Ave.

· $2,500,000 toward traffic signal updating and modernization, right turn lane construction and intersection improvement at the Midlothian turnpike at 135th St. and Cal-Sag Rd.

· $13,021, 000 toward land acquisition, bridge replacement and construction engineering efforts along the Cal-Sag Channel at Western Ave.

· $8,815,000 toward various road resurfacing projects along the Harlem Ave. to I-294 ramp to ILL 83, Cal-Sag Rd. to 143rd Pl., Vincennes Ave. to Racine Ave., Justamere Rd. to ILL 50, Lafayette Ave. to Hasted St. and US 45 (96th Ave.) to ILL 43 (Harlem Ave.).

Learn more about the details of IDOT’s roads project by visiting http://www.Dot.Il.Gov/HighwayImprovement.