Murphy wants to cut bureaucracy, break down care barriers for physician assistants

• Hospitals

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is facing a shortage of health care workers, but State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) hopes to fill in the gaps by removing unnecessary and outdated practice barriers for physician assistants (PAs).

“Physician assistants are highly skilled and highly educated, and it would be best for both them and their patients to let them do their jobs,” said Murphy. “Illinois is losing health care workers at an alarming rate. It’s time to remove barriers to care and make them want to stay.”

Murphy’s proposed legislation would simplify partnerships between physicians and PAs by removing burdensome red tape, like written agreements and practice notifications. These bureaucratic barriers restrict health care access for patients, according to a 2018 study by the Brookings Institution, and eliminating them could significantly improve productivity in the health care industry.

The measure would also give PAs representation by establishing a PA regulatory board. Physicians and PAs would be able to work together to decide what care services the PA can provide to patients, based on his or her education, training and experience.

“There are more than 3,000 PAs in Illinois. Everyone has a friend or loved one who has been cared for by a PA,” said Murphy. “They deserve a helping hand, too.”

Senate Bill 2758 has been assigned to the Senate Licensed Activities Committee.

CANCELED: Murphy invites job seekers, neighbors to learn more about 2020 Census

• Schaumburg
• Events
• District event
• In the district
• Census

Attention: At the instruction of state health officials, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) has canceled the 2020 Census information session and recruitment event scheduled for March 23 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Murphy encourages those with questions about the Census to visit www.2020census.gov or contact the U.S. Census Bureau at 1-800-923-8282.

Concerned citizens can stay up to date on the status of coronavirus in Illinois by calling the Illinois Department of Health’s 24/7 hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SCHAUMBURG – Community members who are interested in learning more about the 2020 Census are invited to attend an information session and recruitment event hosted by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) on March 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Ct., in Schaumburg.

“Working for the U.S. Census Bureau is one way you can help ensure your community gets counted, but it’s not the only way,” said Murphy.  “Whether you’re looking for a job or you just want to help spread the word, we can help you explore your options.”

Murphy is partnering with the Village of Schaumburg Complete Count Committee, the U.S. Census Bureau, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, State Rep. Michelle Mussman and Cook County Commissioner Kevin B. Morrison to host the event.

At the event, local officials will discuss how the census will affect the community and how residents can ensure that their neighbors are counted. Representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau will also be on hand to answer questions about working for the Census.

“For the next decade, data from the 2020 Census will determine our community’s government representation, federal funding, economic development, public transit routes and more,” said Murphy. “Everyone can play a part in making sure our neighborhoods are represented.”

Those interested in attending the event are encouraged to register online.

Applications open for $80 million in local economic development grants

• Rebuild Illinois
• apply now
• Local government

SPRINGFIELD – Local governments have a shot at $80 million in grants to foster economic development and revitalize infrastructure in their communities, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced Tuesday.

“A healthy economy starts in our neighborhoods,” said Murphy, who chairs the Senate Committee on Local Government. “These grants will empower local governments to take on projects that will create jobs, lift up communities and make a difference for Illinois families.”

Through a competitive selection process, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will distribute funding to local governments to support projects that will help generate jobs, expand economic opportunity and encourage new development.

DCEO has allocated $50 million for public infrastructure investments, $16.5 million for regional economic development projects and $13 million to prepare sites for construction.

Potential projects include improvements to utility lines and waste disposal systems, land and building acquisition, and architectural planning and engineering design. DCEO emphasizes the importance of projects with long-term economic benefits for the region.

Altogether, DCEO has made more than $150 million available in Rebuild Illinois funding this year. Other grants offer support for broadband and opportunity zone investments.

“During the last administration, local projects went unsupported for years, and our main streets suffered. It’s time for that to change,” said Murphy. “When we invest in our communities, Illinoisans see benefits close to home, but the whole state gets a boost.”

Applications for public infrastructure grants must be submitted by June 30, but others will be accepted on a rolling basis. Available grants, project guidelines and application materials can be found here.

For additional information on these funds, prospective applicants can visit DCEO’s website here. Interested parties can send questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 217-785-6174.

Murphy proposes tax breaks for families of Illinois college students

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois college students and their families would be eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $2,000 for tuition and fee expenses under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“For a working family, the cost of college can really add up,” said Murphy. “This tax credit is a way for us to give a little relief to the students who choose to pursue an education at one of the exceptional institutions Illinois has to offer.”

Couples making less than $250,000 and single taxpayers making less than $125,000 who claim one or more qualifying students as dependents would be eligible for the tax credit.

Qualifying students must be Illinois residents under the age of 24 who are currently enrolled at an accredited public or private university, community college, vocational school or other post-secondary educational institution located in the state of Illinois.

Murphy says this bill is part of a package of legislation aimed at fighting rising tuition costs and encouraging students to remain in the state to pursue higher education.

“We make investments in our kids from kindergarten through high school, but we watch those investments walk out the door when students choose to continue their education outside of the state,” said Murphy. “I hope this tax credit will encourage Illinois talent to stay in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 1432 was the topic of a subject matter hearing in the Senate Revenue Committee Wednesday.