Heather Steans
State Senator
Veto Session Update
In This Issue
Veto Session Update
Street Safety Seminar
Free Film Screening
Thanksgiving Food Drive
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November 2, 2009
Veto Session Update
 Campaign Finance
 
Veto session ended on Friday with two notable outcomes - campaign finance and health insurance reform.  First, we passed a campaign finance bill that now awaits the Governor's signature.  Click here to read the bill.  Change Illinois and the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform deserve much credit for getting the Governor to veto the original bill and then negotiating this much improved campaign finance legislation.  According to Dawn Clark Netsch, a member of Change Illinois, "This reform measure, while imperfect, is a long time overdue and an essential first step toward a cleaner, fairer, more representative election system." 
 
  1. Limits what individuals ($5,000), corporations/labor organizations/associations ($10,000), political candidates ($50,000), political parties (varies by race - $50,000-200,000) and political action committees ($50,000) can give during an election cycle to a campaign (and to political parties and PACs).
  2. Provides much greater transparency by moving from twice a year to quarterly reports for campaign donations and expenditures and requiring year-round  reporting within 5 days of all contributions $1,000 or more.
  3. Creates accountability for campaigns by requiring random audits and audits for cause of campaign committees and increasing fines for violations.
  4. Establishes a task force to evaluate the new campaign finance system and the need for additional limits in general elections and public financing.

The major point of controversy about the bill is that while it limits what legislative and party leaders can give to candidates during primary elections, it does not set such limits during the general elections (although they are still limited in dollars they can receive for general elections).  While I would prefer a bill that included limits on leaders during general elections, Iagree with the reform groups that it is a significant step forward and puts in place a meaningful system of campaign finance limits.  Limits on leaders during the primary elections should result in more competitive races as well (In 2008 only 10% of primary elections in both the Senate and the House were contested, compared to nearly 40% of the federal primary elections in Illinois). You might be interested in today's column by Greg Hinz of Crain's Business Chicago on this point.  (Click here to read).

 
Only with enormous pressure and public attention did we achieve this result.  We must redouble our efforts to achieve further reform.  I am working with the campaign finance reform groups to file a bill that would limit what leaders can give during general elections, since I believe these limits are important.  We must also focus quickly on redistricting if we want to impact the redistricting process that will occur in 2011.
 
Health Insurance Reform
During the veto session we also sent a health insurance reform bill - HB3923 - to the Governor to sign.  Click here to read the bill. Representative Greg Harris, the House sponsor, Mike McRaith, the Director of Insurance, and I, the Senate sponsor, negotiated this bill with consumer advocates, small business organizations, and insurance companies.  The bill:
 
1. Establishes an expedited external appeal process when insurance companies deny coverage to a policy holder and broadens the Department of Insurance's authority to reverse rejections;
 
2. Makes it easier for small business to shop for health insurance coverage by replacing the current hodgepodge of forms with a uniform application that all insurance companies must use; and
 
3.  Requires insurance companies to place more information on line every six months, enabling consumers to see how their premiums are being spent.
 
As Mike Lawrence, retired director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, notes, "through a series of often frustrating but ultimately fruitful negotiations, they fashioned and advanced legislation to empower consumers, cut paperwork for small business owners and bring more transparency to the insurance industry without the aggressive regulation it feared."  I look forward to the Governor signing the bill.
 
Please let me know if you have a question on either of these - or any other - issue.  I welcome your feedback.
 
Best,
 

Heather Steans
Street Safety Seminar
 Free Seminar  
 
Please join State Representative Harry Osterman and me for an important public safety seminar on Street Safety and Crime Victims Assistance that we are hosting on Monday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Ballroom at Loyola Park, located at 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave. in Rogers Park.
  Many community members have expressed their concern about crime rates throughout Chicago's Northside.  It is important that area residents are provided with information about how to keep themselves and their families safe.  Community awareness and a joint effort between the police and neighborhood residents are key.
 
The session on Street Safety will be led by the Chicago Police Department's Preventative Programs Unit.  Attendees will get information on how to stay safe while walking alone in our community, including tips on how to remain aware of your surroundings. 
 
The session on Crime Victim's Assistance will be led by Assistant State's Attorney Joy Repella.  She will provide attendees with information on resources, services and aid available through the state and Cook County that assist individuals who fall victim of crime.
 
Please call Rep. Osterman's office at 773-784-2002 for more information.
The Principal Story:  Free Film Screening
Join me at a Free Film Screening and Discussion: The Principal Story
 
How do some of the best urban principals handle the challenges they face on a daily basis? Join us for a special glimpse into the worlds of two top principals as they strive to equip their students with the skills and strategies to be successful. 

Date: November 3rd, 2009, 7pm
Location: No Exit Caf�, 6970 North Glenwood  Chicago, IL  

 
Host: Earn Academy and The Urban Coaster, in collaboration with Nomadic Pictures 
 
Film screening followed by a panel discussion with the film's producers, Chicago education leaders, and Senator Heather Steans. 
  
7pm Opening remarks by producers Tod Lending and David Mrazek 
7:15pm-8:10pm The Principal Story screening 
 8:15pm-9pm Panel discussion 

*Senator Steans will be joined by: 
Michael Johnson- Principal, Reavis Elementary 
Dr. Gregory Jones- Assistant Principal, Westinghouse College Prep 
  
Resources: 
The Principal Story: www.wallacefoundation.org/principal-story
Earn Academy: www.earnacademy.org
The Urban Coaster: www.theurbancoaster.com/
http://event.pingg.com/ThePrincipalStory

Thanksgiving Food Drive
Sponsored by State Representative Harry Osterman and State Senator Heather Steans 
 
Please join me in making Thanksgiving a good holiday for those in need by donating to the Thanksgiving Food Drive  to support Care For Real, a local food pantry.  As we prepare to sit down with our families to celebrate Thanksgiving, we must remember that there are many families that are less fortunate than us.  Together we can help these families truly enjoy the holiday.

Those interested in participating and donating to the drive can bring turkeys, turkey breast, roast beef, fruits, vegetables, canned goods, breads any other Thanksgiving dinner items to my district office, located at 5535 N. Broadway St., Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or to Care For Real, located at 6044 N. Broadway St. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Care For Real is an extremely important organization within our
community, supporting hundreds of families in need while participating regularly in community events and assisting local public and private schools as well as other area organizations.

For mor information, please call  (773) 784-2002 or via email to [email protected].  You may also reach out to Care
For Real at (773) 769-6182.