Shriver Center: WomanView

Illinois Opens Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment to All Uninsured Women

2007-10-19T18:30:09Z

Aiming, through early detection and prompt treatment, to reduce breast and cervical cancer deaths, Illinois opened, effective October 1, 2007, the state’s free screening and treatment program, the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, to all Illinois women without health insurance.

Now Illinois women of any income level are eligible. Before this program expansion, free screening and treatment were available only to uninsured women with incomes below 250 percent of the federal poverty level ($25,525 for an individual).

People are eligible regardless of income provided they live in Illinois, are without health insurance, and are in the age ranges for which cancer screening is recommended. Women over 40 are eligible for free breast cancer screening (mammograms and breast exams). Women over 35 are eligible for free cervical cancer screening (pelvic exams and Pap tests). Younger women may qualify for screening if they have symptoms. Uninsured women who have been diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer are eligible for free treatment regardless of where they obtained their diagnosis.

According to Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, with this expansion Illinois is the first state to ensure that all women who need access to screening and treatment can get them.

For information about how to schedule appointments for the free screening or treatment, people should call the Illinois Women’s Health Line, 1.888.522.1282, or visit the program’s website at www.cancerscreening.illinois.gov. For brochures about the program, people should contact Elizabeth Lostracco in the Governor’s Office at elizabeth.lostracco@illinois.gov or 312.814.5674.

WomanView
Vol. 11, No. 5
October 19, 2007
Click here for a PDF of this issue.

Illinois Opens Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment to All Uninsured Women

2007-10-19T18:30:27Z

Child Support

2006-08-02T15:06:54Z

There are steps being taken to decide if the child support enforcement program should be transferred from the Illinois Department of Public Aid (IDPA) to another office or agency, such as the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, the Illinois Department of Revenue, or the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The Child Support Enforcement Subcommittee of the Illinois Senate’s Committee on Public Health and Welfare have held public hearings on this issue. The next hearing is scheduled for September 23 in Springfield. This issue will probably come before the General Assembly in the fall veto session.

Persons interested in this issue should contact Wendy Pollack (312/263-3830 ext. 238) or Margaret Stapleton (312/263-3830 ext. 234) at the Poverty Law Project to find out how to get their voice heard in this important decision-making process.

September 17, 1997

Opportunities for service providers to obtain funds to serve low-income women

2006-11-02T21:54:26Z

Both the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) have recently announced that they are soliciting proposals from nonprofit organizations to provide employment-related services for welfare recipients and other low-income persons. In addition, $3 billion in federal funds for welfare-to-work grants is in the pipeline to the states, with $48 million coming to Illinois this fiscal year. See below for details on these three funding sources.

These are opportunities for providers of services for women on welfare and other low-income women, whether domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, adult education, or vocational training service providers, to collaborate among themselves and with employers to design programs to allow for a more holistic, long-term approach to address better the needs of women with barriers to employment or employment advancement. Although each program has its limitations, particularly how success is measured, WomanView strongly urges service providers to submit proposals that address employment barriers and makes them an intricate part of the program, and to not simply treat them as an issue for which a referral must be made. Wendy Pollack is willing to talk with service providers about ideas for proposals that offer long-term solutions to welfare receipt and poverty.

Illinois Employment and Training Demonstration Project
A $32 million job preparation and training program to help people move from welfare to work has been launched by IDHS. The first wave of funds ($8.4 million) will target 12 inner-city Chicago neighborhoods where employment rates for welfare recipients are lowest. The remaining $24 million will be distributed statewide and to other Chicago neighborhoods.

The 12 targeted Chicago neighborhoods are those served by these IDHS local offices: Ashland, Auburn Park, Cabrini, Englewood, Kenwood, Michigan, Oakland, Park Manor, Pershing, Roseland, Western, and Woodlawn.

Project proposals must focus on preparing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients for work and must result in placement of the recipient into employment as a final outcome. Services provided must include employment and training services, support services, and case management. The services may be managed by a single service provider or a consortium of providers in specific geographic areas. Providers offering job preparation services only must link with job placement provider(s) and be able to demonstrate how the proposed job preparation activities will lead to actual job placement and retention.

The actual cost per placement will be negotiated, but IDHS expects to receive proposals with costs in the range of $750 for the most job ready individuals and $3,500 for individuals who are less than job ready.

Project proposals must be submitted to IDHS by Friday, October 17, 1997. For a copy of the Request For Proposal contact Bill Ryan at IDHS, 217-785-0480.

Job Training and Economic Development Demonstration Grant Program
DCCA has launched the Job Training and Economic Development Demonstration Grant Program. DCCA anticipates awarding 18 grants totaling $1 million commencing January 1, 1998. This program came about as a result of successful advocacy during the spring session of the General Assembly by nonprofit economic development groups and employment and training service providers.

Nonprofit community-based providers that directly provide job training services are invited to apply to one or both of the newly created training programs. Under the first program, community-based providers must establish partnerships with local employers to train low-wage and low-skilled workers who are unable to advance in their careers due to inadequate skills. The community-based provider and the employer will jointly design training curricula for these workers to eliminate skill deficiencies. The second program is designed to link the workforce needs of local industries with the job training and placement needs of unemployed disadvantaged persons, including welfare recipients. In addition, a small number of planning grants will be issued to establish new industry partnerships to expand both types of programs.

Project proposals must be submitted to DCCA by Friday, November 7, 1997. For a copy of the Request For Proposal call Carol Kulek at DCCA, 217-785-6059.

Federal Welfare-to-Work Grants
A third source of funding for services for TANF recipients and other low-income people is $48 million Illinois will soon receive in welfare-to-work grants from the federal government. This money will be funneled from the U.S Department of Labor (DOL) to local Private Industry Councils (PICs), the entities that currently administer job training programs funded under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). In Chicago the PIC is now known as the Chicago Workforce Board.

Federal funds can be used for the conduct and administration of community service or work experience programs; job creation through public or private sector employment wage subsidies; on-the-job training; contracts with public or private providers of readiness, placement, and postemployment services; job vouchers for placement, readiness, and postemployment services; and job retention or support services if such services are not otherwise available. Welfare recipients with the most significant barriers to employment are a primary target of these federal funds.

DOL has just released a draft copy of interim planning guidance and instructions for submission of state plans for the welfare-to-work grants.

For more information contact Wendy Pollack at 312-263-3830 ext. 238.

The Violence Against Women Act of 1998

2006-11-02T21:54:27Z

Women’s advocates have begun to draft the Violence Against Women Act of 1998, known familiarly as VAWA II, which they hope to introduce in Congress early in 1998. This is an opportunity for women, service providers, and advocates concerned about violence against women to have input into the legislative process before the legislation is introduced.

The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) was enacted as Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and was signed into law by President Clinton on September 13, 1994. VAWA provides for improved prevention and prosecution of violent crimes against women and children, including protections for battered immigrant women and children, and the creation of a new legal remedy for certain victims of violent crimes motivated by gender. This landmark piece of legislation has had positive impact on women’s lives.

Additional issues need to be addressed through legislation. Areas identified thus far for inclusion in VAWA II are the prevention of sexual misconduct in prisons; protection from sexual predators; reduction of violent crimes against women on campuses; rape prevention education; hate crimes prevention; a range of domestic violence issues (e.g., housing assistance for victims, insurance protection, grants for community initiatives); limiting the effects of domestic violence on children (e.g., supervised child visitation centers, creation of a presumption in favor of awarding custody to the nonviolent parent, reauthorization of funds for the education and training on domestic violence for judges and court personnel, guardian ad litem and child protective workers); workplace safety (e.g., victim’s employment nondiscrimination, battered women’s employment protection); and issues relating to child abuse.

If you have ideas about what should be in VAWA II and would like more information about how to get involved in this process, call Wendy Pollack at 312.263.3830 ext. 238.

The Cost of Doing Business Adjustment (CODBA)

2006-11-02T21:54:27Z

The Cost of Doing Business Adjustment (CODBA) is House bill (H.B.) 2439. Speaker of the House, Representative Madigan (D), is the sponsor. This bill would give a 3-percent increase to most service providers with state contracts who deliver the state government’s human services programs and services. It does not include Medicaid providers. Programs for which service providers would receive the increase include

day care—providers and referral
domestic violence—shelters, services, and prevention
sexual assault—treatment and prevention
family planning
maternal and child health
infant mortality
aids/hiv
mental health services
wic and other food programs
services for dcfs wards
employment and training
youth services—teen parents, homeless youth, teen suicide prevention, alcoholism and substance abuse prevention and treatment
homeless—shelters and services
alcoholism and substance abuse treatment and prevention
services for persons with developmental disabilities
home services
vocational rehabilitation
migrant workers—child care and employment

To support H.B. 2439 bill please call or fax your House Representative and the Governor. Tell them that community-based human service providers deserve a raise and ask them to support H.B. 2439

Expand Unemployment Insurance to Cover More Women Workers; Many Do Not Qualify for Benefits

2006-11-02T21:54:27Z

The Problem
The unemployment insurance (UI) program is highly successful at supporting workers when they lose a job, facilitating prompt reemployment, and keeping workers out of poverty after a job loss. The problem with the current UI program is that many workers, especially women workers, do not qualify for ui benefits. This forces many of these workers, especially those raising children, to fall into deeper poverty and to rely on welfare as their only between-jobs income option. Welfare is the poor woman’s unemployment program. This needs to change.

The Solution
Legislation introduced by Rep. Kurt Granberg (D) in the Illinois House of Representatives is designed to address this problem. House bill (H.B.) 3097 will expand eligibility for UI (1) to cover workers who lose their jobs due to a loss of child care and (2) to cover more of the welfare-to-work group (overwhelmingly women)—those with only recent employment and those whose employment is mostly concentrated in one calendar quarter.
What You Can Do

Call or fax your state representative today. Let them know that you support H.B. 3097. Ask them to cosponsor the bill and to vote yes when the bill comes up in committee and on the House floor.

If you have any questions contact Wendy Pollack at 312.263.3830 ext. 238

The Family Violence Option: Senate Bill 1374 and House Bill 3160

2006-11-02T21:54:27Z

What is the Family Violence Option?
The Family Violence Option (FVO) helps domestic violence victims and survivors move from welfare to work. The FVO is a state option in the federal welfare reform law. It allows states increased flexibility in applying the requirements of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program (formerly the AFDC Program) to families affected by domestic violence without states being penalized financially. The FVO invites states to

screen applicants and recipients of tanf for domestic violence while maintaining confidentiality;
provide referrals to counseling and supportive services;
make good-cause waivers from TANF program requirements.

Waivers are to be granted where the requirements would make it harder for TANF recipients to escape domestic violence or where the requirements would unfairly penalize past, present, or potential victims of domestic violence. Program requirements that could be waived include the 60-month lifetime limit on receipt of tanf assistance and mandatory work requirements.

The FVO is designed to promote case-by-case consideration and increased access to services. Waivers are not intended to exclude individuals from activities such as education and vocational training. On the contrary, waivers are intended to allow victims of domestic violence to be assigned to the activities that best aid in the transition from welfare to work and to allow the time necessary for a successful transition.

For some individuals this may mean participation only in activities that are, at least initially, domestic violence specific such as counseling, development of a safety plan, or efforts to retain legal representation to petition for a protective order. For others it may mean participation in a combination of activities such as job readiness and mental health counseling. For still others, it may mean combining employment with efforts to change child support, custody, or visitation orders to decrease the risk of harm. The FVO allows victims and survivors the peace of mind of continued cash assistance without the threat of sanctions as they deal with the violence and cope with its consequences.

Why Adopt the Family Violence Option?
Domestic violence makes women poor and keeps them poor.
Although the FVOo has been introduced as legislation in both the Illinois Senate (S.B. 1374) and the House (H.B. 3160), both Republican and Democratic leadership is limiting the number of bills released from the Rules Committees so that most bills, including S.B. 1374 and H.B. 3160, will not have the opportunity to be considered on the merits by the rest of the membership. Please call or fax Senate President James "Pate" Philip (R) and House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D) within the next week. Tell them you want the Family Violence Option to become law in Illinois. Ask President Philip to let S.B. 1374 out of the Senate Rules Committee. Ask Speaker Madigan to let H.B. 3160 out of the House Rules Committee. To contact Senate President Philip call 217.782.7730 or 630.941.0094, or fax 217.782.7818. To contact House Speaker Madigan call 217.782.5350 or 773.581.8000, or fax 217.524.1794.

The recent publication of the proposed TANF regulations by HHS makes it clear that adoption of the FVO is the most fiscally responsible strategy states can take to avoid financial penalties. States that adopt the FVO will avoid financial penalties if, because of domestic violence waivers granted under the FVO, they fail to meet the caseload work participation rates or exceed the allowable number (capped at 20 percent of the caseload) of recipients who receive benefits beyond the 60-month lifetime limit on receipt of assistance.

Why Is the Family Violence Option Needed?

Domestic violence makes women poor and keeps them poor.

Many abusers sabotage their partners’ efforts to make the transition from welfare to work. Examples include: giving her a black eye before a job interview; destroying books and homework assignments; failing to show up to drive her to a job interview or the ged exam; failing to show up to provide child care for these purposes; and physical violence and harassment on the job.
Sabotage and violence actually increase when women leave their abusers.
Effects of domestic violence on its victims include poor concentration; interference with the ability to read, to process new information, or to learn; and depression.
The inability to comply with fixed requirements such as work activities or time limits may result in a loss of benefits, thereby increasing a victim’s dependence on her abuser.

What You Can Do to Help

Although the FVOo has been introduced as legislation in both the Illinois Senate (S.B. 1374) and the House (H.B. 3160), both Republican and Democratic leadership is limiting the number of bills released from the Rules Committees so that most bills, including S.B. 1374 and H.B. 3160, will not have the opportunity to be considered on the merits by the rest of the membership. Please call or fax Senate President James "Pate" Philip (R) and House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D) within the next week. Tell them you want the Family Violence Option to become law in Illinois. Ask President Philip to let S.B. 1374 out of the Senate Rules Committee. Ask Speaker Madigan to let H.B. 3160 out of the House Rules Committee. To contact Senate President Philip call 217.782.7730 or 630.941.0094, or fax 217.782.7818. To contact House Speaker Madigan call 217.782.5350 or 773.581.8000, or fax 217.524.1794.

For more information contact Wendy Pollack at 312.263.3830 ext. 238.

Legislation Pending in the General Assembly

2006-11-02T21:54:27Z

The following bills are just a few of the thousands of pieces of legislation now pending in the Illinois General Assembly—some are good for women and girls, others not. If you would like to know more information about any of these bills, contact Wendy Pollack at 312.263.3830 ext. 238.

H.B. 2459, sponsored by Gash (D), amends the Insurance Code by requiring accident and health insurers to provide the same durational limits, amount limit deductibles, and coinsurance requirements for serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression) as provided for other illnesses and diseases. The bill allows a limit of 90 consecutive days for in-hospital stays.

H.B. 2491, sponsored by Mitchell (R), amends the Marriage and Dissolution Act to require that any party having custody of a minor child must get permission from a state court to move the child to a new residence within Illinois which is over 100 miles from the residence of the child at the time of the initial custody judgment. The decision to allow moving the child’s residence would be based on a determination that it is in the best interests of the child. Removal of a child to a new residence within Illinois which is located within 100 miles of the residence of the child at the time of the initial custody judgment does not require permission of the court.

H.B. 2497, sponsored by Flowers (D), amends the Income Tax Act by creating an income tax credit for individuals in the amount of 25 percent of unreimbursed medically necessary expenses incurred in caring, in the individual’s home, for an elderly parent diagnosed as unable to live alone.

There are a number of bills related to domestic violence and sexual assault. Most increase the penalties for these criminal offenses. For example, H.B. 2504, sponsored by Kubik (R), amends the Code of Corrections to consider domestic violence perpetrated in the presence of a child under age 18 an aggravating factor and a reason to impose a more severe sentence. Another bill, H.B. 2508, sponsored by Parke (R), amends the Insurance Code to prohibit discrimination based on abuse by providers of property and homeowner insurance.

H.B. 3427, sponsored by Mulligan (R), amends the Insurance Code to require accident and health insurance providers, including hmos, to inform in writing all females insured or enrolled of the right to designate an obstetrician or gynecologist as a principal health care provider and to provide a list, from which to choose, of physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. No insurer may restrict this right to designate an obstetrician or gynecologist as a principal health care provider.

H.B. 3477, sponsored by Madigan (D), creates the Illinois Family and Medical Leave Act. It allows employees to take reasonable leave for up to 12 work weeks during any 12-month period for medical reasons, for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child, and for the care of a child, spouse, or parent who has a serious health condition. It applies to employers with 25 or more employees.

H.B. 3481, sponsored by Hannig (D), amends the School Code by eliminating provisions that set the fee at $15 to take the ged exam and $7 for each test to be retaken and replaces the set fees with a provision that allows the State Board of Education to set the fees.

More State Legislation Pending

2006-11-02T21:54:27Z

The following bills are now pending in the Illinois General Assembly. If you would like more information about any of these bills, contact Wendy Pollack at 312.263.3830 ext. 238.

Child Welfare
. S.B. 1375, sponsored by del Valle (D), amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to add nurse practitioners, home health aides, and commercial film or photographic print processors to the list of persons required to report possible child abuse and neglect.

S.B. 1428, sponsored by Luechtefeld (R), amends the Criminal Code to make the willful endangerment of the life or health of a child under 18 a Class 4 felony when that endangerment is the proximate cause of great bodily harm to the child.

Consumer Protection
. S.B. 1297, sponsored by del Valle (D), amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to require car dealers to pay the entire cost of repair of power train components for a period of three days after delivery regardless of the age of the vehicle.
Domestic Violence
. S.B. 1436, sponsored by Link (D), amends the Counties Code by adding domestic violence as a cause of death that must be reported on death certificates. And, if domestic violence is the cause of death, the coroner must report the death to the State Police.

S.B. 1532, sponsored by Carroll (D), amends the Insurance Code to prohibit insurers of life, health, or disability income insurance to designate domestic violence as a preexisting condition for which coverage will be denied or reduced.

S.B. 1723, sponsored by Cullerton (D), amends the Criminal Procedure Code to require that orders of protection issued by other states be given full faith and credit in Illinois.

Education and Training
. S.B. 1220, sponsored by Jacobs (D), creates the Illinois Industrial New Jobs Training Law. It establishes a program in which community colleges may provide new employee training to employers who are creating new jobs. Program services may include job training and customized skill training; adult basic education and job-related instruction; skill assessment, testing, and preemployment training programs; and on-the-job training.

S.B. 1523, sponsored by Garcia (D), amends the Public Community College Act to require the State Board to appoint an employment and training coordinator to inform private employers about programs offered and to establish training programs that meet the specific needs of employers.

State Contracts
. S.B. 1652, sponsored by Halvorson (D), amends the Procurement Code to require contractors who submit bids or proposals for construction contracts in excess of $30,000 and any other state contracts in excess of $10,000 to submit with their bids or proposals the contractor’s written policy against sexual harassment and proof that the policy is posted in a visible location within each of the contractor’s offices. The bill also requires that contractors have in force a training program against sexual harassment for new employees for at least one year prior to submission of the bid or proposal. No contract would be awarded without contractor compliance.
Tax Credit
. S.B. 1537, sponsored by Berman (D), amends the Income Tax Act to allow taxpayers who rent their homes a tax credit in the amount of 5 percent of the first $1,000 in monthly rent.

Help Enact Legislation Beneficial to Women and Girls

2006-11-02T21:54:28Z

Your voice is needed to help ensure pending legislation is enacted by the Illinois General Assembly. Please call or fax your State Representative to the Illinois House today asking her or him to vote in favor of the following bills:

HB 3446
, sponsored by Representatives Schakowsky (D) and Silva (D), does two things. First, the bill requires Illinois to adopt the Family Violence Option (FVO). Tell your Representative that you want the FVO to become law in Illinois. The FVO helps domestic violence victims and survivors move from welfare to work. The FVO allows Illinois increased flexibility in applying the requirements of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program to families affected while avoiding federal financial penalties. (Disregard the previous bill numbers associated with the FVO). Second, the bill updates the list of immigrants eligible for certain public benefits in the Illinois Public Aid Code to bring Illinois into compliance with Federal law. Tell your Representative to vote for HB 3446.
HB 3447
, sponsored by Representatives Silva (D) and Schakowsky (D), allows legal immigrants who enter the U.S. after August 22, 1996, and thus are excluded from receiving public benefits for the first five years in the U.S. by federal and state law, to receive benefits if they become victims of domestic violence in the U.S. Tell your Representative that no one should be forced to continue living in dangerous and terrifying situations because of the lack of financial means and vote for HB 3447.
HB 3386
, sponsored by Representative Pugh (D), allows TANF families to receive a $50 pass-through on each order on which child support is paid on behalf of the family (only one $50 pass-through per month is currently allowed). Also, it sets up a pilot project to allow TANF families to keep $2 of every $3 in child support paid each month on their behalf. Tell your Representative that these ideas will improve child support collections and the financial circumstances of children and vote for HB 3386.

If you need further information about any of these bills contact Wendy Pollack at 312-263-3830 ext. 238. Thanks for your support.

Update on Violence Against Women Act II

2006-11-02T21:54:28Z

The Violence Against Women Act of 1998 (VAWA II) has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives as H.R. 3514. I want to thank everyone who responded to WomanView’s earlier request for input into the drafting of the VAWA II legislation. You can see the results of your input on the Web. The full text of the final version of VAWA II is currently available on the Congressional Web site http://thomas.loc.gov. It also will be available soon on the NOW LDEF Web site www.nowldef.org.

Chief sponsors are Conyers (D-MI), Morella (R-MD) and Schumer (D-NY). There are currently 84 original sponsors. They include Illinois Representatives Blagojevich, Evans, Gutierrez, Jackson, and Rush. We urge you to call your representative to ask him to add his name to the list of VAWA II supporters if he has not yet done so. Illinois congressional delegation members who were sponsors of VAWA I and therefore are likely to sign onto VAWA II include Representatives Davis, Fawell, Hyde, Lipinski, Porter, Poshard, and Yates. Everyone should call Poshard since he is the Democratic candidate for Illinois governor.

The Illinois congressional delegation:

Representative	Phone	Fax
Bobby Rush (D-1)	202.225.3635	202.225-3521
Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-2).	202.225.0773	202.225.0899
William Lipinski (D-3)	202.225.5701	202.225.1012

Family Violence Option Passes Illinois House

2006-11-02T21:54:28Z

H.B. 3446, sponsored by Representatives Schakowsky (D) and Stephens (R), passed the Illinois House with a clear mandate with 110 Representatives voting for the bill and only 6 voting against it.

H.B. 3446
does two things. First, the bill requires Illinois to adopt the Family Violence Option (FVO). The FVO allows Illinois increased flexibility in applying the requirements of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program to families affected by domestic violence while avoiding federal financial penalties. Second, the bill adds three categories to the list of legal immigrants eligible for public benefits in the Illinois Public Aid Code to bring Illinois into compliance with federal law.

The screening and referral provisions of the FVO are designed to promote case-by-case consideration and increased access to services. When appropriate, the state can grant temporary waivers of TANF requirements to make it possible for recipients to escape domestic violence without being punished for not complying with those requirements. Or it can intelligently package domestic violence services with work activities to ensure that the violence does not block the path to work. The FVO will help ensure a successful transition from welfare to work and prevent and reduce domestic violence in the lives of Illinois’s families.

States that adopt the FVO will avoid federal financial penalties if, because of waivers granted under the FVO, they fail to meet the caseload work participation rates or exceed the allowable number (capped at 20 percent of the caseload) of recipients who receive benefits beyond the 60-month lifetime limit on receipt of assistance. Therefore, adoption of the FVO is a fiscally responsible strategy because it insulates states from financial penalties.

H.B. 3447
, sponsored by Silva (D), Schakowsky (D), Kubik (R), Morrow (D), and Feigenholtz (D), also passed the Illinois House by an overwhelming margin. H.B. 3447 allows legal immigrants who enter the United States after August 22, 1996, and thus are excluded from receiving public benefits for their first five years in the United States by federal and state law, to receive state-funded cash, food, and medical benefits if they are victims of domestic violence in the United States. Benefit eligibility would extend to the children of an abused parent and the parent of an abused child or abused children.
What You Can Do to Help
Now our attention turns to the Illinois Senate. Call or fax your state senator and tell her or him to support and sponsor both H.B. 3446 and H.B. 3447 in the Senate. The Senate is adjourned for spring break until April 21. This is a good time to catch senators in their home district offices. For more information on either bill contact Wendy Pollack at 312.263.3830 ext. 238.
Thanks to your efforts, these important bills will become law in Illinois
.

H.B. 2491: Immediate Action Required

2006-11-02T21:54:28Z

HB 2491 passed the Illinois House and is now under consideration in the Illinois Senate. If it becomes law, this bill will negatively impact women and their families. Immediate action is required to stop this bill from becoming law.

What is HB 2491?

HB 2491 would amend the Marriage and Dissolution Act to require custodial parents to obtain prior approval from a state court to move a child or children to a new residence if that new residence is over 100 miles from the residence of the child(ren) at the time of the last custody order, even if that residence is within the state of Illinois.

The bill requires all custodial parents to give non-custodial parents a minimum of 30 days notice of the intent to move residences. This written notice must include the proposed new residence address unless protected by an order entered under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, the proposed date of relocation, and a proposed visitation schedule, if necessary.

If no objection is made within 21 days of the notice, the custodial parent still must go to court to get approval. The bill is poorly written and therefore the mechanics of how this is supposed to work is unclear. However, the upshot is, even if both parents agree to the move, court approval is still necessary.

Why vote NO on HB 2491

HB 2491 imposes the burden of going to court to the custodial parent—usually the woman, usually the person less able to afford to go to court. And it requires her to go to court in every case, even if the parents have no dispute. The cost to the custodial parent may include court filing fees, attorney fees, lost wages due to time off work, etc. The cost to the state judicial system includes an increase in court cases that only serves to further clog an already overtaxed system.

Another very important reason to vote no on HB 2491 is that the bill as written inadequately addresses the concerns of adults and children who are victims of domestic violence and child abuse. The bill requires non-custodial parents to be served notice that the custodial parent intends to move the child(ren), even if the non-custodial parent is an abuser. A woman fleeing her abuser should not be required to give any notice of her intent to escape a violent situation. This would only endanger her further. In addition, limiting any exception to those with an order under the Domestic Violence Act will also endanger the lives of women and children. In many instances it is not safe for women to go to court to obtain protective orders. These are just a few of the reasons HB 2491 as written is inadequate and must be defeated.

What You Can Do
HB 2491 is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, April 21^st at 1:00 p.m. Please call or fax the Senators on the committee today and ask them to vote against HB 2491. If you can only make one or two calls, call or fax Republicans at their Springfield numbers. The Senators who are members of the Judiciary Committee are:

Republicans	Local Office	Springfield Office
Carl Hawkinson, chairperson	309.343.8176	217.782.1942
Kirk Dillard, vice-chairperson	630.969.0990	217.782.8148
Dan Cronin	630.941.0040	217.782.8107
Adeline Geo-Karis	847.872.7500	217.782.7353
Patrick O’Malley	708.396.1818	217.782.5145
Edward Petka	815.436.5577	217.782.0422

The FAX number for Senate Republicans is 217.782.7818.

Democrats	Local Office	Springfield Office
John Cullerton, minority spokesperson	773.883.0770	217.782.7260
Barack Obama	773.363.1996	217.782.5338
George Shadid	309.353.6276	217.782.8250
William Shaw	708.333.4700	217.782.8066

The FAX number for Senate Democrats is 217.782-3242.

If you need more information on HB 2491 call Wendy Pollack at 312.263.3830 ext. 238.

Family Violence Option: The Next Step

2006-11-02T21:54:28Z

H.B. 3446, which includes the Family Violence Option (FVO), successfully passed the Illinois House on April 1 with an overwhelming majority (110 votes in favor and only 6 against). It is now in the Senate. Since the bill started in the House, it retains its House bill number. The Senate sponsors are Senators Christine Radogno (R) and Miguel del Valle (D).

To ensure that H.B. 3446 moves forward and is passed by the Senate so that it may become Illinois law, WomanView now requests that calls and faxes in support of the bill are directed to Governor Jim Edgar no later than April 24. Without the Governor’s support, the FVO is unlikely to succeed in the Senate.

Ask the Governor to support the Family Violence Option.

Governor Edgar has offices in Springfield and Chicago:

State Capitol, Room 227
Springfield, IL 62706
217.782.6830
Fax 217.524.4049

Governor's Office
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, 16th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
312.814.2121
Fax 312.814.5572

If you need more information about H.B. 3446 and the FVO, please refer to WomanView issues 6 and 11 or call Wendy Pollack at 312.263.3830 ext. 238.

Update on H.B. 2491.
The Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony for and against H.B. 2491 on April 21. Wendy Pollack from the Poverty Law Project testified against the bill; she pointed out the bill’s deficiencies. John Miller, a member of ACES, spoke about his experience as a custodial parent and how the bill would affect him and his children negatively. The committee decided to defer a vote on the bill in order to address the concerns of the opponents. The bill is on the agenda for the next committee meeting on Tuesday, April 28, at 1:00 p.m. Whether or not the bill’s sponsors and those of us who oppose the bill can reach agreement on the amendments remains to be seen. WomanView will keep you informed.