Senate passes bill sponsored by Stadelman to cap insulin copayments

Legislation co-sponsored by Steve Stadelman to limit out-of-pocket costs for insulin-dependent diabetics was approved in the Illinois Senate this week.

If passed in the House and signed by the governor, Senate Bill 667 would cap the amount diabetics pay for insulin to $100 for a 30-day supply. The bill advanced from the Senate on a 48-7 vote during what was the first of the legislature's two-week fall veto session.

In arguing for the statewide cap, Stadelman noted the long-term costs of diabetics rationing insulin to save money and damaging their health by failing to manage the glucose level in their blood.

Stadelman has a teenage son who is diabetic. 

“Two weeks ago we picked up his latest prescription and the retail price on that prescription was over $1,400 for a 30-day supply,” he said. “That is absolutely ridiculous.”

 Bypass 20 among local projects on state's five-year road list

U.S. Bypass 20 south of Rockford and Illinois Route 2 north of Rockford are among the projects in State Senator Steve Stadelman's legislative district scheduled for improvement under the latest Multi-Year Plan released by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The plan, llinois' first comprehensive infrastructure program in nearly a decade, outlines an anticipated statewide road and bridge investments through 2025.

More than $91.5 million is slated to be spent in the area Stadelman represents, which includes Rockford, Loves Park and Machesney Park:

• $22.8 million on culvert repair, land acquisition and resurfacing of more than 3 miles of Illinois Route 2 between Elmwood and Roscoe roads
• $8.7 million to resurface almost 4 miles of Bypass 20 from the Rock River to the Interstate 39/U.S. Route 51 interchange.
• $7.8 million to modernize traffic signals, widen and add a bicycle lane to U.S. Business 20/East State St. between Mid-America Drive and Buckley Drive in Rockford.
• $5.3 million to repave 8.6 miles of Illinois Route 70 from the Pectonica River to Safford Road in Rockford
• $1.8 million to repave U.S. Business 20/West State Street from Springfield Avenue to Meridian Road in Rockford

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Thank you to ALL involved in the "Top of Illinois Veterans Stand Down" at the Mendelssohn Performing Arts center! Hundreds of veterans were able to get a hot lunch, free winter clothing, flu shots, haircuts, massages and many other services. Also great to see former Channel 17 colleague Bob Ryder who's with the Boone County Veterans Assistance Commission.