End of Session Report - June 13, 2018

End of session: The 2018 Spring legislative session wrapped up with a full, appropriated fiscal year budget, for the first time in three years. The General Assembly also authorized supplemental spending to address prior fiscal year bill backlogs at state agencies. Here are just a few key funding priorities in healthcare:

• Supportive living rate increase
• Rate increase for institutions serving Medically Complex and Developmentally Disabled children
• Emergency add for critical access pharmacies
• One-year ambulance rate increase
• Addition of Adult Dental to the Medicaid program

Restoration of funding in the Human Services Department including homeless youth services, Autism Program, Teen Reach, Infant Mortality prevention, addiction prevention, and others

Restoration of wage increases for frontline workers in aging, disability, home services, mental health, substance abuse, etc. that were not implemented by the Governor

Primary election politics and the looming General election played a role this session.  While no property tax relief passed, no new tax burdens were added. Meanwhile, Gov. Rauner and Democratic nominee JB Pritzker have competing campaign commercials in what will be the most expensive gubernatorial race ever.

Veto session dates: November 13, 14 & 15  and  November 27, 28 & 29.

Special thanks to our lobbying firm Cook-Witter, Inc. for another seamless session.  Beth Martin made sure to provide weekly updates to our user file while Bruce Kinnett, Brian Wojcicki and Randy Witter marked and tracked every piece of legislation that could potentially impact IAFP.