SPRINGFIELD – Following the election of a new Senate President, Senator Michael E. Hastings offered the following statement:

“I want to congratulate President Harmon on the outcome of today’s election. During his time in this chamber, he has demonstrated the ability to lead on important issues and work with our colleagues to achieve a consensus on how to best serve the people of this state,” Hastings (D-Tinley Park) said. “With the spring legislative session quickly approaching, I am eager to move forward and get to work under his leadership.”

Lawmakers will return to Springfield on Jan. 28 for the beginning of the spring legislative session.

“With the implementation of the Rebuild Illinois plan, clean energy reform, continuing the March to Mental Health and working toward solutions to the serious property tax issues we face, these next several months will be crucial for our state,” Hastings said. “I have no doubts that under President Harmon’s leadership, we will accomplish all of these things and much more.”

SPRINGFIELD – A resolution designating Nov. 1, 2019 as Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day was adopted by the Senate today.
State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) is the Senate sponsor of the resolution.

“Many of those who fought valiantly for their country in Vietnam were wrongfully met with scorn and disdain upon their return home,” Hastings said. “These brave individuals deserve the utmost respect and recognition for their service, as they have seen and experienced things that a precious few can even remotely imagine.”

House Joint Resolution 15 establishes Vietnam Veterans Day in Illinois. It also urges all Illinoisans to show support for Americans who have served their country, and for the governor and Secretary of State to lower all flags within their purview to half-staff on Nov. 1, 2019.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to lower the cost of prescription insulin passed the Senate today.

State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) was among 48 Senators voting in favor of the measure, which would cap out-of-pocket insulin expenses at $100 for a 30-day supply.

“Many families have been left to make an impossible choice: Doses of the medicine they need to survive on a daily basis, or their most basic necessities,” Hastings said. “That is no choice at all. I urge the House to pass this legislation and make this medication affordable.”

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are over 30 million Americans who have diabetes, with 7.4 million of them who require prescription insulin to service. The increasing cost of the medication has forced many of these patients to choose between purchasing vital medication and basic necessities like food or utility bills.

The measure has also garnered the support of several advocacy organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois State Medical Society, Illinois Pharmacists Association and AARP.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) announced that the recently released Illinois Department of Transportation five-year Highway Improvement Program includes major improvements to several major highways and bridges across the South Suburbs.

“The Rebuild Illinois Project is beginning to bear fruit,” Hastings said. “With I-80, I-57 and I-355 serving as key arteries of this region's transportation hub, their upkeep is essential. Residents from Joliet to Matteson are going to see quality results over the next five years that will make their lives safer and easier.

Projects beginning in 2020 include widening I-80 from US Route 30 in New Lenox to Ridge Road in Minooka, improvements to Illinois Route 6 at Gouger Road in New Lenox, additional lighting for expressways from Matteson to Richton Park and repaving I-80 from Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park to US Route 30 in New Lenox.

The next five years will also see the restructuring of the I-80 bridge over the Des Plaines River, complete with repaving, widening, and structural improvements.

“Widespread infrastructure improvements have been necessary for years, but this bridge in particular has presented a clear, pressing need,” Hastings said. “We’ve seen bridges crumble due to negligence. This was a public safety problem, so I am thrilled that we are taking the necessary steps to provide safe means of transportation for our communities.”

A complete breakdown of highway improvement projects in the 19th District can be found here: http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2020-2025/ilsenate/sdist19.pdf