SPRINGFIELD – To help combat recent reports of drug price gouging in Rockford, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) today voiced support of a proposal that will prohibit drug manufacturers and wholesale distributors from drastically increasing the price of generic medications.

Stadelman, who is a co-sponsor of House Bill 4099, was joined by colleagues from the Illinois House and Senate, as well as representatives from the NAACP and AARP.

According to recent news stories, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Inc. increased the price of a vial of Acthar, a prescription to treat babies suffering from a rare seizure disorder, from $40 to $54,000 per vial. The city of Rockford, which is self-insured, was forced to pay nearly $490,000 when two babies of city employees needed the vital prescription.

“These drug companies are exploiting sick babies and their families,” Stadelman said. “As a result of these irresponsible actions by the drug company, Rockford taxpayers are forced to pay nearly half a million dollars that could have paid for crucial city projects. It’s time to put a stop to these reckless actions.”

Under the proposal, companies that increase prices of generic or off-patent drugs by more than 30 percent in one year, 50 percent in three years or 75 percent in five years, could be forced to pay a fine of $10,000 per violation. The legislation is currently in the Illinois Senate Subcommittee on Business Subcommittees.

SPRINGFIELD – With the increase of cashless tolls in Illinois, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) advanced a proposal that offers protection for rental car drivers. After returning a rental car, many drivers may be surprised to find they were charged additional fees for a tollway collection device, similar to an I-PASS. Stadelman advanced a proposal through the Illinois Senate this week to allow rental car drivers to opt out of these devices.

“Drivers deserve to be aware of the option to use these costly tollway devices up front, instead of finding out about these costly fees later,” Stadelman said.

Under Stadelman’s proposal, rental car companies must provide renters the option of using the tollway collection device. If a company fails to offer a customer the ability to opt-out, the fees are capped at $2 per day that the device is used, in addition to the cost of the tolls.

“Many drivers are unaware they can avoid paying these fees by using their own transponders, paying cash or paying the fees online,” Stadelman said. “Informing them they have the option to opt out will help them make the most financially beneficial decision.”

Stadelman’s proposal, Senate Bill 2522, passed through the Illinois Senate with a vote of 49-0. It will now head to the Illinois House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) passed legislation through the Illinois Senate to prevent privately-owned websites from charging a fee to remove mugshots and other outdated information.

These websites, which claim to operate as background checks, frequently charge thousands of dollars to remove the information, even if the record has been expunged, sealed or dismissed. In some cases, the website refused to remove the information even after the individual was acquitted.

“Forcing people to pay thousands of dollars to remove wrong information from a private website is wrong,” Stadelman said. “Many of these people have had their records sealed or expunged, or even had their case dismissed. It’s time to stop these private website owners from taking advantage of them."

In many cases, individuals weren’t even aware their information was listed on the website until they were denied a job opportunity.

Stadelman’s proposal, Senate Bill 2560, passed through the Illinois Senate with a vote of 52-2. It is now in the Illinois House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – In many school districts, students who are unable to pay for lunch can be stigmatized with a special wristband or handstamp, and in some cases – even denied lunch.

To stop this practice known as “lunch shaming” in Illinois, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) passed Senate Bill 2428 through the Illinois Senate.

“Forcing students to go without lunch is punishing them for the mistakes of their parents,” Stadelman said. “All students, regardless of their parents status or  income level, deserve to have a hot lunch.”

Under Stadelman’s proposal, every school will be required to provide a meal to a student that requests one. While the school can contact the parents directly to request they pay for the child’s lunch, they are prevented from throwing  the meal out, forcing the student to wear a wristband or otherwise stigmatizing them.  If the school district is owed $500 by a student’s parents and they have made a reasonable effort to collect the debt, the district can request the Illinois Comptroller withhold tax refunds from parents to pay off the debt.
“As a state, we can’t force students to sit through class hungry and expect them to learn,” Stadelman said. “This plan ensures all students will be given an opportunity to succeed instead of being forced to learn on an empty stomach.”

The proposal passed through the Illinois Senate with a vote of 41-9-1. It will now head to the Illinois House of Representatives for consideration.