Election Preview: Illinois’ General Election is Tuesday, November 8. While Republicans seem to be picking up momentum elsewhere in the midterm elections, barring any unexpected upsets, statewide Democrats are expected to perform fairly well overall in Illinois on Tuesday. As always, voter turnout will be key. Any close contests may not be decided until all early vote by mail ballots are officially counted over the course of the two weeks following the election.
Voters on Tuesday will elect a Governor (and Lt. Governor), Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller and Treasurer. Currently, Democrats control each of these statewide constitutional offices. First-term Democratic Governor JB Pritzker is seeking reelection and faces conservative Republican State Senator Darren Bailey. Attorney General Kwame Raoul (D) is also seeking reelection and faces conservative Republican Thomas DeVore. The race for Secretary of State features former Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D) versus State Representative Dan Brady (R) to replace long-time Secretary of State Jesse White who is retiring. Comptroller Susana Mendoza (D) faces a challenge from Shannon Teresi (R) while Treasurer Michael Frerichs (D) faces Republican State Representative Tom Demmer.
Both of Illinois United States Senators are Democrats. This year, US Senator Tammy Duckworth (D) faces a challenge from Republican Kathy Salvi.
All 17 congressional seats and all 177 legislative seats are up for election on Tuesday. This is the first election under the new congressional and legislative districts which were drawn under Democrat control. Democrats hold a 13-5 majority in the Illinois’ Congressional delegation. Note Illinois lost one congressional seat following the decennial census. Democrats currently hold super-majorities in both the Illinois Senate and the Illinois House. Republicans are hoping to chip away at those supermajorities on Tuesday, but Democrats are expected to continue to maintain control of both.
Illinois voters will also decide on an amendment to the Illinois Constitution which would guarantee workers the right to organize. A proposed amendment becomes effective if approved by either three-fifths of those voting on the question or a majority of those voting in the election.
There are two contested elections for seats on the Supreme Court. In the 2nd District, Democrat Elizabeth Rochford faces Republican Mark Curran Jr and in the 3rd District Mary K. O’Brien (D) faces Justice Michael Burke (R).
Health Insurance Marketplace: The Open Enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace is now open. Open enrollment closes January 15, 2023. Eleven issuers are offering ACA Marketplace plans. After the January 15th deadline for Open Enrollment, consumers are only able to purchase insurance coverage on the ACA Marketplace if they have a qualifying life event, including losing job-based coverage, getting married, having a child, adopting a child, or moving.
The Illinois Department of Insurance also released health insurance rates for the 2023 Plan Year.
In some areas of the state, consumers will again see a decrease in health insurance premiums this year, and other areas will see moderate increases.
For the 2023 Analysis of the Illinois Exchange Plan, visit: Illinois Department of Insurance
For information on the ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment period, visit: Get Covered Illinois.
Children’s Mental Health Services: Illinois launched a new state program designed to help pediatricians and other providers meet children’s mental health needs by strengthening mental health services in emergency departments and schools. The new program will focus on increasing the volume of consultation services provided across the state, providing a multitude of mental health education and training opportunities to physicians and health care professionals, and strengthening the network of mental health resources and referrals accessible to providers and their patients. It will also explore the feasibility of direct provider-patient telehealth service programs.
The $2.5 million federally funded program is a partnership involving the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Human Services plus the University of Illinois Chicago’s DocAssist Program and the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Read more here.
Human Services Capital Grant Program: The Illinois Department of Human Services and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have partnered to launch a first-of-its-kind, $15 million capital improvement program for facilities of eligible not-for-profit human services providers located in Illinois. This is a competitive program that will make at least 60 grant awards ranging from $50,000 up to $250,000 to eligible organizations.
Eligible providers must be in good standing to operate in Illinois and have provided services for a minimum of two years directly to low-income or marginalized populations in one of the core divisions of DHS— Mental Health, Rehabilitation Services, Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, Family and Community Services, Developmental Disabilities, and Early Childhood.
Applications can be submitted through 5pm on December 30.
Detailed funding opportunity information, application materials, and technical assistance are available here or email CapitalGrant@tecsinc.com for additional information.
Electric Vehicle Rebates: The second round of funding through the Illinois Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program is now open. Individuals can access and complete an application for a second-round rebate under Illinois’ EV Rebate Program here. Applications for the second funding round must be postmarked on or before January 31, 2023.
Gubernatorial Appointments: The Governor made the following appointments:
· Patricia Saccone will serve as a Member on the Illinois Racing Board.
· Jeffrey Grubbs will serve as a Member on the Prisoner Review Board.
· Gary Kaatz will continue serving as a Member on the Health Facilities and Services Review Board.
· Sreenivas Reddy will serve as a Member on the Illinois State Medical Board.
· Maria Laporta will serve as a Member on the Illinois State Medical Board.
· Bartlomiej Nierzwicki will serve as a Member on the Illinois State Medical Board.
· Thomas Boyle will serve as a Member on the Illinois State Medical Board.
· Dana Ray will serve as a Member on the Illinois State Medical Board.