GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Adult Use Cannabis: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issued the remaining three additional Conditional Adult Use Dispensing Organization Licenses to applicants selected in lotteries held in the summer of 2021. The list of awardees along with next steps for the conditional license period are available on the IDFPR’s Adult Use Cannabis webpage.
These awardees join the 182 conditional licenses issued by the Administration in July and early August, meaning that all 185 available licenses from the original round of licenses have now been issued.
Launch of New Student Loan Repayment: The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has launched the application for a student loan repayment assistance program to support qualified mental health and substance abuse professionals. The Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program is designed as an incentive for recruitment and retention of those who practice in underserved or rural areas.
The Program was created in 2019 and is now being funded from revenue generated from cannabis sales in Illinois. In addition to having an outstanding student loan balance, applicants must be licensed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for their eligible behavioral health profession (psychiatrist, psychologist [PhD., Psy.D.], advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, licensed clinical social worker, licensed clinical professional counselor) OR hold certification as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor from the Illinois Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association. Applicants must also have worked for at least 12 consecutive months as a behavioral health professional in a community mental health center in an underserved or rural health professional shortage area (HPSA) prior to application.
Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program: The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity opened the application for the second round of Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program funding. The $15 million in funding is targeted towards increasing training opportunities, expanding the talent pipeline, and boosting diversity in the construction industry and building trades.
Eligible applicants include non-profit, community-based organizations, such as industry associations, chambers of commerce, local workforce areas, community colleges, technical schools, and school districts. Grant awards will range from $200,000 to $550,000 per year. More information is here.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly: The Department of Healthcare and Family Services launched the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to better meet the needs of older adults across Illinois. The program expands options for community-based care and serves as an alternative to traditional nursing facility care, allowing eligible seniors to continue living safely at home.
The PACE program brings another option for older adults in Illinois who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. The program provides customized and coordinated medical care and social services for adults aged 55 and older who are certified by the state as qualifying for nursing home care but are able to safely continue living in the community at the time of their enrollment.
In order to qualify for PACE, a senior must meet the following eligibility requirements:
• Be at least 55 years old.
• Live in one of the PACE service areas.
• Meet the state standard of qualifying for nursing home care, while also being able to continue living safely in the community.
More information is here.
State Water Plan: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is hosting three public meetings to discuss the state’s ongoing efforts to update the State Water Plan. The meetings will be conducted in a hybrid (in-person and virtual) format. The first two meetings were held on August 24 and 25. The third and final meeting is on August 29. The State Water Plan identifies critical water issues facing Illinois and recommends solutions. More information is here.
OSLAD Grants: Applications will be accepted through September 30 for the next round of state-funded Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants. More information, including how to apply, is here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: The Governor made the following appointments:
· Thomas Bennett will continue to serve on the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.
· Leslie Breuer, Jr. will continue to serve on the Illinois Racing Board.
· Arlene Juracek will continue to serve on the Illinois Finance Authority.
· Timothy Ryan will continue to serve on the Illinois Finance Authority.
· Dennis O’Brien will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Edward Lee will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission
· Elaine Llerena will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission
· Frank Soto will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Jaqueline Hickey Haralelli will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Michael Glaub will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Roma Dalal will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· William Gallagher will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission
· William McLaughlin will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
· Kurt Carlson will continue to serve as an Arbitrator on the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission
· Kathy Saltmarsh will continue to serve on the Illinois Criminal Justice and Information Authority.
102nd ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The prospect for a special session to address women’s reproductive rights and gun law reforms appears less likely primarily due the vote requirements to pass legislation with an immediate effective date. Legislation with an immediate effective date passed before January 1, 2023 will require a three-fifths vote in both chambers. Any legislation that passes with a simple majority before January 1 will not take effect until June 1, 2023. If there is no special session this year, watch for the General Assembly to tackle both issues in a January lame duck session when the vote requirements to pass a bill with an immediate effective date drops to a simple majority in both chambers.
Senator Michael Hastings resigned as the Democratic Caucus Whip. A replacement has not been named at this time. He continues to chair the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee.