DES PLAINES – Municipalities across the Northwest Suburbs will receive more than $11 million in combined Rebuild Illinois infrastructure grants in the latest round of program funding, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced Monday.

“Sound infrastructure is critical to our communities’ safety and success,” Murphy said. “These funds will allow our local governments to make much-needed upgrades to sidewalks, roads and bridges, making travel smoother and easier for all our residents.”

The funding is being distributed in an effort to ensure that local governments have the necessary resources to repair and maintain infrastructure, as well as create jobs and boost the economy on a local level. Cities and municipalities may choose to use the grant for road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs, with financial oversight from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“Rebuild Illinois doesn’t just revitalize our infrastructure—it creates high-quality jobs right here in the community,” Murphy said. “This plan is critical to the long-term economic health of our region and of Illinois as a whole.”

This funding comes as the fourth of six rounds of grants totaling $1.5 billion through the Rebuild Illinois program. A complete list of awards is available here.

SPRINGFIELD – The state is investing $94 million in public airports across the state through the Rebuild Illinois construction program, and State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is encouraging airports in the Northwest Suburbs to apply for a portion of the funding.

“With a post-pandemic travel boom on the horizon, it’s important that our local airports are prepared to make the most of it,” Murphy said. “These funds will allow the smaller airports in our community to make much-needed repairs, modernize their facilities and attract more passengers.”

Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the Rebuild Illinois program will provide $94 million in funding to improve public airports throughout the state. Through a competitive grant process, airports may submit project proposals for updates, improvements, and extensions of their facilities.

Airports must be for public use and included in the Illinois Aviation System Plan to be eligible for the funding. Applications are due June 14 to be eligible for grants of up to $25 million.

Two airports in the district Murphy represents are eligible to apply for funding: Schaumburg Regional Airport and Schaumburg Municipal Helistop.

Application information and a full list of eligible airports are available on IDOT’s Airport Improvement Program page. Awards are anticipated to be announced later this year.

SPRINGFIELD – Older Illinoisans would have more flexibility when shopping for Medicare supplemental plans under a measure State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) advanced through the Senate Thursday.

“In the event that a policyholder’s circumstances change or their rates go up, their health status shouldn’t be a barrier to finding a more reasonably priced supplemental plan,” Murphy said. “This measure would prevent our older neighbors from being locked into a policy they don’t need and can’t afford.”

The measure would establish an annual open enrollment period for each Medicare supplement policyholder between 65 and 75 years of age that begins on the policyholder’s birthday and lasts 45 days.

During this period, the policyholder would be able to switch to a new supplemental policy with equal or lesser benefits under their same insurance provider. Insurance providers would not be able to deny, underwrite or charge new policyholders based on health status.

Murphy’s initiative is modeled after a law in California known as the Medigap “Birthday Rule,” which allows those with Medicare supplemental plans 60 days to switch to a plan of equal or lesser benefits at the time of their birthday. Other states designate guaranteed-issue periods during certain months or around the anniversary of the policyholder’s original policy issue date.

“Insurance costs can be a hefty burden on those with fixed incomes,” Murphy said. “This measure could make all the difference for older residents facing financial stress.”

Senate Bill 147 passed the Senate Thursday and now heads to the House.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans on Medicare would be able to switch supplemental plans without worrying about higher premiums, underwriting or pre-existing conditions under a new measure introduced by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“If their supplemental plan rates go up, many older adults are denied the chance to switch to a less expensive plan because of a pre-existing condition. They’re locked into their current plan,” said Murphy. “It’s time to give older Illinoisans the freedom to seek lower costs elsewhere.”

The measure would establish an annual open enrollment period for each Medicare supplement policyholder between 65 and 75 years of age that begins on the policyholder’s birthday and lasts 45 days.

During this period, the policyholder would be able to switch to a new supplemental policy under their same insurance provider. Insurance providers would not be able to deny, underwrite or charge new policyholders based on health status.

Murphy’s initiative is modeled after a law in California known as the Medigap “Birthday Rule,” which allows those with Medicare supplemental plans to switch to a plan of equal or lesser benefits within 30 days of their birthday. Other states designate guaranteed-issue periods during certain months or around the anniversary of the policyholder’s original policy issue date.

“Many older residents in my district have contacted my office to support this measure,” said Murphy. “We need to give Medicare patients the ability to shop for the policy that works for them.”

Senate Bill 147 passed the Insurance Committee Wednesday and now heads to the full Senate.