IL State Rep Greg Harris

On marriage and equality It’s time

There has been much discussion of why President Barack Obama came forth Wednesday to say he favors allowing same-sex marriage. Vice President Joe Biden had raised the issue by saying he was “absolutely comfortable” granting same-sex couples the rights and benefits of wedlock. Obama’s strategists may also have wanted to avoid a divisive fight over… [Continue Reading]

Budget, Medicaid, Marriage Equality Update

As the May 31 deadline to pass a state budget grows closer, the various House and Senate Appropriations Committees continue to work to reduce operations spending by $1 Billion from this year’s levels, as well as setting aside funds to pay obligations such as: Debt Service — $2.218 billion Paying down unpaid Medicaid… [Continue Reading]

The Human Toll

The Human Toll Yesterday, I watched the faces and listened to the voices of my House colleagues from both sides of the aisle in a closed-door briefing as the implication of each of the Governor’s proposed cuts in Medicaid was explained. If 180,000 seniors lose prescription drug assistance, what were their options? If we… [Continue Reading]

Click here to view the Chicago Tonight segment on the Governor’s proposed changes to the Illinois Medicaid program

Sun-Times Editorial on Marriage Equality

The news is moving so quickly on the gay-rights front, mostly for the better, that we can’t guarantee nothing will change before you come to the end of this editorial. The best news of all, of course, in our opinion, would be the passage in Springfield of a law legalizing gay marriage in Illinois. But… [Continue Reading]

FY13 Proposed Spending Plan

Rep. Greg Harris • 13th District Springfield Update • March 30, 2012 FY13 Proposed Spending Plan This week the House voted to pass HJR69 and HR706, which are the House proposals to divvy up available revenues among anticipated expenses. The initial revenue number was based on the projections of the House Revenue Committee… [Continue Reading]

Join Us To Walk Against Violence

In Memory of The 600 Youth We Have Lost On April 2 beginning at 5:30 pm at the St. James Episcopal Cathedral come be a part of a powerful 4-mile interfaith procession through the heart of Chicago’s streets called CROSSwalk. The procession is being held to remember the murdered youth and also to… [Continue Reading]

FY13 Budget Process Begins

The process of crafting state budget for FY13 took off this week with a few hopeful signs, amidst incredibly daunting challenges to come. Last year, if you recall, from the outset there was disagreement among the Governor’s Office, Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA), the House, Senate Democrats and Senate Republicans on what initial… [Continue Reading]

Help Choose the Medicaid Cuts

In the Governor’s budget speech, he told the General Assembly he wants us to cut Medicaid by $2.7 billion. I am a member of the Joint Legislative Medicaid Committee, so I will have to help figure out if we can meet the Governor’s goal. I want your help and advice. So sit down with your… [Continue Reading]

“Rendezvous With Reality”

The Governor just completed his budget address to a joint session of the General Assembly. To begin he said we were having a “rendezvous with reality”, and that this year’s budget “contains truths you might not want to hear.” While he is right that we must face certain unpleasant truths and that there were many… [Continue Reading]

State investigators say DCFS contract fraud could be worse than known

From the Chicago Tribune Political Reporter Monique Garcia 7:45 p.m. CST, January 27, 2012 State ethics investigators say they may never know the full extent of an alleged contracting scheme that they say cost taxpayers at least $18 million and led to last year’s resignation of the head of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The comments came during a legislative hearing Friday examining a probe that found numerous violations by George E. Smith, who held various … more

Deep cuts loom as state tries to save Medicaid Lawmakers, Quinn aides set to present suggestions this week

By Monique Garcia and Ray Long, Chicago Tribune reporters April 17, 2012 The list of medicines Jason Carrington must take every day to treat his multiple sclerosis and related symptoms is long: Copaxone injections to prevent relapses, primidone to control tremors, Seroquel to stabilize his mood, lamotrigine and Cymbalta to treat depression and anxiety. The drugs can cost thousands of dollars a day, an expense the state now picks up. But the 32-year-old Wicker Park resident soon could find himself forced to seek another way to pay for his prescriptions. Scaling back such coverage … more

Rep. Harris is Named one of the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, Windy City Times Advocates of the Year

The AIDS Legal Council of Chicago ( ALCC ) in partnership with the Windy City Times presented Outstanding Advocate of the Year awards to six people working in the HIV/AIDS community. ALCC assists low-income people with HIV in Chicago with legal issues, including discrimination, Social Security benefits, wills and powers of attorney. A reception preceded the awards ceremony at Sidley Ausin LLP at One S. Dearborn, attended by long-time activists and professionals providing HIV/AIDS related … [Read More...]