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Dear Neighbor:
I am one of four members of a bipartisan legislative committee tasked with finding ways to reduce the state's Medicaid liability. I remain committed to the goal of ensuring that vital services are available to those who need it and that care is delivered efficiently and cost-effectively. Facing a $2.7 billion Medicaid budget hole, we risk a complete collapse of the system unless we enact reforms.
On Thursday, Governor Quinn released his plan to reduce the state's Medicaid liability by $2.7 billion. The plan proposes a $1 per pack cigarette tax that his office estimates would bring in $675 million in revenue; this includes a 100% federal match. His plan also eliminates some optional services, cuts reimbursement rates to providers, increases cost-sharing measures, limits access to some services, and eliminates fraudulent and wasteful use of the system.
Some highlights of Governor Quinn's proposed Medicaid cuts and reductions include:
- Reducing adult eligibility to 133% of the federal poverty level for the Illinois FamilyCare program that offers healthcare coverage to parents living with their children 18 years old or younger
- Eliminating Illinois Cares Rx, which provides prescription drug assistance to low-income seniors and disabled persons
- Limiting adult eyeglass eligibility to one pair every two years
- Providing adult podiatry coverage only to diabetics
- Eliminating group psychotherapy for nursing home residents
- Eliminating adult dental coverage and new dental grants
- Limiting prescription drug medications to five per month for adults and children
A full list of his proposed cuts, reductions, and efficiencies along with the gross savings and estimated number of clients impacted can be found here.
You can also read the Chicago Sun Times' endorsement of the plan here and the Chicago Tribune's endorsement of the plan here.
These decisions are far from easy, and we realize the very real impact that many of these changes could have on the lives of Illinoisans. I welcome all of your feedback and thoughts as the legislature considers the Governor's proposals and continues to develop our own plan for making Medicaid more efficient.
Very truly yours,
Sara Feigenholtz
State Representative
12th District
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Thank you to the staff and students at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School for inviting me to your school!
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| Property Tax Appeals |
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Lakeview Township is currently open for property tax appeals through May 11, 2012. Lakeview Township covers the area inside Fullerton Avenue, Devon Avenue, North Avenue, and Western Avenue or the Chicago River.
Residents can appeal their property tax assessment online or attend an upcoming property tax appeals workshop in our neighborhood - be sure to bring your most recent property tax bill in order to receive assistance.
Monday, April 23
6:30 p.m.
St. Luke - Memorial Hall, 1500 W. Belmont Ave.
Staff will also be on hand to help you file a longtime homeowner exemption (to qualify, you must have occupied and owned your residence for ten years or more and have a household income of $100,000 or less in tax year 2010). For assistance filing your exemption application, bring a copy of your 2010 1040 income tax return.
Thursday, April 26
6:30 p.m.
Benjamin Moore Paint / J.C. Licht Company, 3234 North Clark
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| Electronics Recycling |
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Electronics Recycling Day
Saturday, May 5
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m
44th Ward Service Office, 1057 West Belmont
44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney and I are collecting electronics for recycling. Please bring your electronics to the 44th Ward Constituent Service Office, located at 1057 West Belmont, on Saturday, May 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We will deliver the recyclables to Chicago's Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility for collection. State law requires proper disposal of a number of electronic items.
For a list of items we will be recycling, please visit www.44thward.org. If you have any further questions, please contact Mark Cygan at (773) 525-6034 or ward44@cityofchicago.org.
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| Satellite Office Hours |
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| Community Events |
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Central Lake View Neighbors, Wine Tasting
Sunday, April 22
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Kirkwood Bar & Grill, 2934 North Sheffield
Celebrate spring with a fun afternoon meeting your neighbors, sampling wine/appetizers from a local business, and support the beautification of our neighborhood. Admission is $10 for members and $20 for non-members - this fee covers the cost of the wine tasting and appetizers. Funds raised will be applied to the CLVN Beautification project (we purchase plants, flowers, mulch and other items to maintain corners we planted in the neighborhood). Visit the CLVN website at www.clvn.org.
Weiss Memorial Hospital, "What Happens If I Get Cancer?" Seminar
Wednesday, April 25
1:00 p.m.
Weiss Memorial Hospital, Conference Room 6A, 4646 North Marine
This lecture covers free services from the American Cancer Society for cancer patients. Services include: wigs, transportation, makeover sessions, assistance with financial resources, emotional support, 24 hour assistance from Cancer Specialists and more. Please call 800-503-1234 to register.
Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, Derby Business After Hours
Wednesday, April 25
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Derby, 1224 W. Webster
Put on your Derby hats and don't miss this great event! Meet friends and fellow business colleagues at Derby for a Business After Hours that is sure to put your business on track for a great year! Enjoy a networking opportunity with appetizers, beverages, and bourbon tastings in the winning atmosphere of this new restaurant. Tickets are $20 for members and $30 for non-members if RSVPed online by April 23. Tickets at the door are $25 for members or $35 for non-members.
Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Mix & Mingle Monthly Networking Event
Thursday, April 26
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Jack's on Halsted, 3201 North Halsted
This monthly event is designed to be free form networking in an after hours atmosphere. Jack's with be providing one drink ticket per person as well as passed appetizers. All we ask is that you bring lots of business cards to give the new people you will be meeting. More information can be found here.
Edge Alliance, Dining Out for Life
Thursday, April 26
Various Locations
EdgeAlliance hosts its 19th annual Dining Out For Life event, benefiting children and adults living with HIV/AIDS on Chicago's West Side. Chicago is one of 60 cities across the United States and Canada participating in the event, making Dining Out for Life the single largest HIV/AIDS benefit in the country! For more information on Dining Out for Life, this year's participating restaurants or EdgeAlliance, please contact Eric Pomajzl, Manager of Community & Special Events, at 773.359.0122 or epomajzl@edgealliance.org. You can also visit the official Dining Out for Life website at www.diningoutforlife.com for full details! Dine out. Fight AIDS!
YMCA, Healthy Kids Day
Saturday, April 28
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Lakeview YMCA, 3333 North Marshfield
Lake View YMCA is celebrating Healthy Kids Day with a free community event that will help families find fun through active play and educational opportunities to improve health and well-being. At Healthy Kids Day, the nation's largest health day for kids, families will enjoy a multitude of healthy, family activities including group games, family Zumba, family yoga, a bounce house, nutritional demonstrations, face painting, arts and crafts and more! Healthy snacks, giveaways and prizes will also be a part of this fun free day! Please visit the website for a complete schedule of events.
First Time Home Buyers Seminar
Saturday, April 28
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Chicago Real Estate Resources, 932 West Grace
This free educational seminar for first time home buyers will give you a well-rounded understanding of the home buying process and a forum to ask questions. Guest speakers include a residential realtor, mortgage banker, and real estate attorney. Limited seating available. Contact Neil Hackler at Neilh@crer.com or (773) 677.3479 to register today!
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