| June 17, 2009
The Honorable Pat Quinn James R. Thompson Center
Office of the Governor 100 West Randolph, 16-100
207 State Capitol Building Chicago, Illinois 60601
Springfield, Illinois 62706
Re SB 231
Dear Governor Quinn
The League of Women Voters of Illinois [LWVIL] asks that you support SB 231, a measure that requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to suspend, rather than terminate, eligibility for medical assistance when persons become inmates in a public institution in
Illinois.
Currently, persons are released without access to services until a new application has been filed and approved, often a lengthy process. Lack of preventive measures or untreated conditions result in higher costs. For example, without medication the behavior of the mentally ill may lead them back to jail and the cycle repeats.
The LWVIL is pleased that SB 231 applies not only to persons released from adult institutions, such as jails and prisons, but applies to the Department of Juvenile Justice and juvenile detention facilities.
The LWVIL is grateful for your leadership in efforts that support reentry. Not only would SB 231 simplify procedures for DHFS staff and provide better care, it would remove a barrier to the successful integration of offenders into the community.
For these reasons, the League urges you to sign SB 231 into law. Thank you for considering our request.
Sincerely,
Nancy Marcus Eileen Subak
President Criminal Justice Issue Specialist
League of Women Voters of Illinois Children’s Services Issue Specialist
Return to main Criminal Justice page.
|
