RSVP REQUIRED

EDWARDSVILLE – To honor the brave men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is hosting a free breakfast event for veterans at the American Legion #199 in Edwardsville.

“Our veterans and their families have made unfathomable sacrifices, hosting a breakfast event is the least I could do to thank them,” Crowe said. “This is also a great opportunity to connect them with information on services our state provides specifically for them.”

The event is Saturday, Nov. 16th from 9AM until 11AM in the On the Hill Golf Course and Lounge at the American Legion.

A full program is planned with speakers: former State Senator William Haine; Linda Chapa LaVia, Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs; Lee Russell, Illinois Department of Employment Security; Dr. Katie Kosten, SIUE School of Dental Medicine; and Lt. Kristopher Tharp, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, all with information for veterans.

To RSVP, call (618)251-9840 with a headcount or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Nov. 12th, 2019 at noon.

SPRINGFIELD – An initiative to set the price of a 30-day supply of prescription insulin to $100 passed the Senate today with the support of State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“Insulin is not a choice for people with diabetes and with the cost steadily rising, some diabetics are trying to ration their medication which could result in an entirely preventable death,” Crowe said. “This is the direct result of corporate greed and it’s time to stand up to drug companies that are lining their pockets at the expense of patients who rely on their products to survive.”

The price of insulin has drastically increased in the United States in the past several years. According to a 2016 analysis, the price of the drug tripled between 2002 and 2013.

While, the cap would only apply to commercial insurance plans regulated by the state, if passed, the measure would make Illinois the second state in the country to cap insulin payments.

According to a study by the Yale School of Medicine, one in four patients with diabetes are forced to ration their insulin due to soaring.

Senate Bill 667 passed the Senate and now moves to the House for consideration.

EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville will receive a $2.5 million grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to construct the city’s first indoor facility for recreational activities, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced today.

“This grant will provide numerous recreation opportunities for residents, especially when the weather is too rainy or cold to spend time outdoors,” Crowe said. “I can’t thank our state leaders enough for being committed to creating more shared space for people to exercise while strengthening our community’s core.”

The center will be located near the Madison County Bike Trail and Governor’s Parkway and will feature an indoor ice-skating rink and an elevated 175-meter, a four-lane track with a 3,000-square-foot physical fitness center.

Edwardsville is receiving one of eight grants totaling more than $10.1 million made available through the IDNR’s Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act grant program.

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Senate’s special committee on Opioid Crisis Abatement held their first meeting under the leadership of State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“There is a tremendous need for new ideas and research to combat Illinois’ opioid crisis,” Crowe said. “This committee’s goal is to produce real, comprehensive solutions.”

Jennifer Epstein, Director of Opioid Initiatives with the Department of Public Health, testified to the committee, giving feedback and status updates on the implementation of the State of Illinois’s Opioid Action Plan (SOAP) 2018 report.

The Illinois Senate established this committee to find gaps in state’s approach to abating the opioid epidemic and hear testimony regarding successful programs and efforts. It also will help develop legislation to strengthen Illinois’ response to the crisis.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in Illinois in 2017, there were 2,202 drug overdose deaths involving opioids. That’s a rate of 17.2 deaths per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national rate of 14.6 deaths per 100,000 people.

Earlier this year, Senator Crowe passed a resolution urging the Department of Public Health to adopt new prescription guidelines for painkillers. She also introduced legislation to increase sentencing requirements for certain offenses involving fentanyl.

“Our state has come a long way in recent years with more help than ever for those struggling with addiction,” Crowe said. “While we work to develop more resources, I strongly encourage those affected to call the Department of Human Services Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at 1-833-2FINDHELP.”