SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2018 Environmental Scorecard this week. Senator Antonio "Tony" Muñoz (D-Chicago) has been honored with a perfect voting record. A total of 21 state senators received an award for their voting record during the 2018 legislative session. “Senator Antonio Muñoz demonstrated a commitment to environmental issues in Springfield this session,” said IEC Executive Director Jen Walling.

The 2018 Environmental Scorecard included numerous legislative measures. Specific priorities from the Scorecard include:

● SB2298: Industrial Hemp Act
     ○ This bill brings new opportunities to farmers as well as benefits to soil by opening new initiatives for sustainable agriculture.

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SPRINGFIELD- Retiring Illinois State Police Officers and Illinois State Fire Marshal Investigators could soon have the option of purchasing their service weapon and badge under legislation sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).

“As an officer, you carry your badge and gun every day,” Munoz said. “They are symbols of a career in law enforcement, and retiring officers have earned the opportunity to keep them as an honor to their commitment and service.”

The Department of State Police, the Director of the Secretary of State Department of Police and the Office of the State Fire Marshal will have the responsibility of establishing the program allowing retiring officers to purchase their service weapon and badge.

According to the Fraternal Order of Police, the Illinois State Police established a similar practice in 2016, which resulted in 82% of retirees buying back their service revolvers in 2017. Senate Bill 2640 would codify that program and add State Police Officers and Department of Natural Resource Officers to the list of qualifying retirees.

Officers who request to purchase their service weapon must possess a valid FOID Card upon retirement and pay the department for the pistol.

Only officers are granted an honorable retirement and are in good standing will be permitted to participate in the program.

The law is now in effect.

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Antonio “Tony” Munoz’s (D-Chicago) legislation giving the Illinois State Police tools to better evaluate Firearm Owners Identification Card applications was signed into law today.

“This measure provides the State Police the proper information for them to make the right decisions when it comes to administering FOID cards,” Munoz said. “It closes a loophole that was potentially putting guns in the hands of individuals who are unfit to possess them.”

Currently, individuals who have been a patient of a mental health facility within the past five years are ineligible to receive a FOID card. House Bill 4855 expands the definition of patient to include those who are placed in a mental health facility against their will, but ultimately not court ordered.

The legislation also:
• Changes the Illinois State Police’s requirement to approve or deny FOID card renewals within a 30-day period to a 60-day period.
• Allows for the suspension of an individual's FOID card if the card is subject to revocation for a reason that is not grounds for permanent revocation.

The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2019.

El nuevo Lilly Diabetes Solution Center and Helpline ya están disponibles

CHICAGO – El Líder Asistente a la Mayoría Antonio “Tony” Muñoz (D-Chicago) motiva a quienes tienen dificultad para cubrir el costo de su insulina que llamen al centro de soluciones y línea de ayuda de Lilly Diabetes marcando al (833) 808-1234.

“Las personas con diabetes necesitan insulina para vivir y ninguno de ellos deben perder acceso al medicamento porque no pueden pagarlo”, dijo Muñoz. “Es una condición controlable y aplaudo a Lilly Diabetes por crear un recurso que aliviará estrés y salvará vidas.”

El nuevo centro de soluciones y línea de ayuda están disponible de lunes a viernes entre las 8 a.m. y las 7 p.m. Las llamadas son recibidas por trabajadores que revisan las circunstancias personales de cada individuo y trabajan para encontrar opciones de bajo costo para productos de insulina.

“Nuestra comunidad se puede beneficiar de los servicios ofrecidos por el centro de soluciones y línea de ayuda de Lilly Diabetes”, dijo Muñoz. “Necesitamos garantizar que las personas en todo Illinois estén conscientes de este nuevo recurso.”

De acuerdo con la Asociación Americana de Diabetes, casi 13 por ciento de la población latina en los Estados Unidos padece diabetes. La línea de ayuda de Lilly Diabetes ofrece servicios en inglés, español y otros idiomas.

La línea de ayuda ofrece soluciones para individuos que buscan insulina, incluyendo: ahorros en sitios de venta, información para obtener insulina en clínicas gratuitas y apoyo inmediato referente a las necesidades de insulina.