Murphy appointed Deputy Majority Leader

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) has been appointed to serve as Deputy Majority Leader of the Illinois Senate, Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) announced today.

“I’m honored to take on the role of Deputy Majority Leader,” said Murphy. “It’s a privilege to be entrusted to represent my colleagues in this capacity, and I look forward to working with them to advance legislation that brings positive change to our great state.”

In her new role, Murphy will assist the Majority Leader to work with caucus members on policy issues and help advise them on legislative agendas.

As Deputy Majority Leader, Murphy hopes to unify the legislature to accomplish shared goals, like improving the state’s educational resources, fighting for the middle class and implementing ethics reform to restore the public’s trust in government.

“It’s exciting to be given the opportunity to help the Senate President move the Senate toward a common purpose,” said Murphy. “We are stronger when we stand together.”

Murphy seeks to stabilize insurance coverage for those on managed care plans

• Reform
• Insurance

SPRINGFIELD – Insurers would no longer be able to change eligibility or coverage during a policy contract period in managed care plans under a new measure introduced by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“If you sign a contract for an insurance plan, you should be able to count on the terms of that plan to stay the same,” said Murphy. “Continuous care means peace of mind.”

The legislation would require insurers to maintain in-network providers, covered benefits and drug formularies for the duration of the contract period for anyone on a state-regulated insurance plan, including managed care plans.

Murphy says that her office regularly receives complaints from constituents about the disjointed way managed care organizations (MCOs) administer coverage. When a MCO changes a patient’s coverage mid-contract, the patient may have to search for a different doctor or find a prescription that their new plan covers, disrupting care and causing patients hardship and uncertainty.

“When the Rauner administration implemented this new managed care plan, they left a lot of gaps for us to fill,” said Murphy. “I want to be clear: This change should apply to all Illinoisans, not just those with plans being impacted by this bill. This is a step toward reforming that system and hopefully one day ensuring better care for all Illinoisans.”

Senate Bill 2470 currently awaits assignment to a committee.

Local parks to receive over $950K in renovation grants

• Elk Grove Village
• Des Plaines
• Parks

SPRINGFIELD – The Des Plaines, Elk Grove and Roselle Park Districts will receive over $950,000 to renovate and expand local parks, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced today.

The money comes from a grant that is part of the state’s Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The program is providing more than $29 million to support 85 park projects across the state.

“Improving and maintaining our parks is one of my top priorities,” said Murphy. “I fought for these projects by writing letters of support to IDNR, and I’m so excited to see ideas turn into reality.”

The OSLAD program began in 1987 and has invested $403.2 million in 1,729 local park projects. The program receives dedicated funding from a percentage of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax.

“The parks in in the 28th District are beautiful and accessible, and I hope these grants can help keep them that way,” said Murphy.

Murphy condemns salary hike for university president

• Education
• Student loans
• Higher education
• Schools
• students

SPRINGFIELD – In response to news that the University of Illinois is increasing tuition while giving its president a 40% pay raise, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) reaffirmed her commitment to fighting administrative greed and providing an affordable education to all Illinois students.

“I’m outraged that the university is raising the president’s pay and burdening students with the cost,” said Murphy. “Very few of these students will ever see a 40% raise for doing the same job in their lifetimes. It’s shameful that the administration is making it even more difficult for kids to afford an education.”

A pending contract proposal for Tim Killeen, who has overseen the Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield campuses since 2015, would extend his contract as president for four more years and increase his base pay from $600,000 to $835,000.

Last week, trustees unanimously approved a proposal that will raise base tuition for incoming Illinois students at all three U of I campuses. This fall, tuition for Illinois freshman will be $12,254 at Urbana-Champaign, an increase of $218 from last fall, which does not include room, board or other mandatory fees.

Murphy has moved to combat the rising cost of education by introducing Senate Bill 2310, which seeks to limit the amount paid in administrator severance packages.

“It’s wrong to ask students to take on more debt to feed an administrator’s six-figure salary,” said Murphy. “I intend to hold our state’s education system to a much higher standard. Our students deserve better.”

Senate Bill 2310 has been assigned to the Higher Education Committee.