Cunningham introduces new legislation to improve Metra access

SPRINGFIELD – At a news conference Wednesday, State Senator Bill Cunningham announced the introduction of new legislation aimed at reducing costs and increasing access to public transportation for residents on Chicago’s south side and southwest suburbs.

“Residents on the south and southwest sides, as well as in the suburbs, are underserved when it comes to cheap, reliable methods of public transportation,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “We need to ensure everyone has affordable access to public transit and this legislation will provide another option to these communities.”

Senate Bill 2277 would require Metra, Pace, and the CTA to do the following:

• Reduce fares on the Metra Electric and Rock Island lines to CTA levels at in-city stations
• Decrease zone-based fares in the south suburbs on the Metra Electric and Rock Island lines
• Adopt the Ventra card to pay for fares on the Metra Electric and Rock Island lines
• Offer low-cost transfers between the Metra Electric, Rock Island, CTA, and Pace

Cunningham was joined at the news conference by transit equity advocates from the Coalition for a Modern Metra Electric and State Representative Marcus Evans Jr. (D-Chicago), who has introduced similar legislation, House Bill 3834, in the House.

A coalition of community-based organizations, religious groups, chambers of commerce and civic organizations have also signed on in support of the demonstration project.

“I welcome the bill being sponsored by Senator Cunningham. Residents of the south side of Chicago, and the south and southwest suburbs need faster, lower cost access to public transportation to get to work, to school, and to improve the quality of life for people who rely on public transportation,” said Linda Thisted, co-chair of the Coalition for a Modern Metra Electric. “This bill addresses long-standing transit inequities in our communities”

The measure will be considered by the Illinois Senate in the spring.

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Cunningham votes to help reduce prescription insulin costs

SPRINGFIELD – A bipartisan measure aimed at reducing skyrocketing prescription insulin costs passed the Illinois Senate Tuesday with support from State Senator Bill Cunningham.

“For years, the pharmaceutical industry was virtually unchecked in their efforts to increase profit margins on this drug, and, as a result, working families have struggled to pay for the supply they need,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “Legislators need to put people over the profit of corporations, and this legislation allows us to do just that.”

Senate Bill 667 would cap out of pocket insulin expenses at $100 for a 30-day supply and direct the Illinois attorney general to investigate reasons for the increasing costs associated with the medication.

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are more than 30 million Americans with diabetes, 7.4 million of which require prescription insulin every day to survive. However, the increasing costs associated with the medication have led many patients to ration their supply or seek care outside of the country.

“Drug companies are holding diabetics hostage by charging exorbitant rates for a medication they simply can’t live without,” Cunningham said.  “No person should be forced to choose between purchasing the insulin they need, and buying groceries or paying their rent. By passing this legislation, we’re taking a step toward ensuring that they won’t have to make that choice in Illinois.”

The legislation would make Illinois just the second state in the nation to cap out of pocket insulin costs for diabetics. Colorado became the first earlier this year.

The measure passed the Senate 48-7. It will now move to the Illinois House of Representatives for further debate.

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