Glenview, IL….This week, State Representative Elizabeth Couslon provided the keynote speech at the National Association for Support of Longterm Care’s (NASL) annual meeting in Chicago. As a physical therapist, Rep. Coulson has made health care reform one of her top priorities in the state legislature.

Rep. Coulson spoke about the shortage of therapists in Illinois and across the nation, the federal therapy cap for Medicare coverage and national health care reform. Continue reading »

Glenview… State Representative Elizabeth Coulson (R-Glenview) is encouraging all first through eighth grade students to participate in her 8th Annual Summer Reading Club by reading eight books over the summer. Each child that reads the required number of books and completes the application will be congratulated with an Ice Cream Party in September.

“Each year, dozens of area students become members of my Summer Reading Club. This is a great program for children because it allows them to keep their minds and imaginations active over the summer,” Rep. Coulson said.

Once a child completes reading eight books of their own choosing, they simply fill out an application, which asks a parent, guardian or family member to attest to their reading. To request a Summer Reading Club Form, either stop by Rep. Coulson’s district office at 3801 W. Lake Ave. in Glenview or contact the office at (847) 724-3233. Completed forms must be submitted by September 1. Continue reading »

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, the General Assembly is still trying to resolve the budget deficit Illinois faces, while constructing a balanced budget for the 2010 Fiscal Year. I have received a tremendous outpouring of communication from constituents throughout the 17th district, as well as throughout the State. Employees, volunteers and board members from the various social services agencies, as well as many constituents have contacted me -expressing their desire to preserve the vital services Illinois provides to our most vulnerable citizens. I have heard heart-wrenching stories from so many people that will be negatively affected by these cuts.

As a health care provider and educator, I have spent 13 years in Springfield, working to create new programs that will protect and help those most in need. Many of the proposed cuts will affect programs that I helped to create and have fought to expand. I am adamant in my position that early education programs, housing and services for the developmentally disabled and mentally ill, home healthcare for seniors, addiction treatment support, foster care, day care services and support plans for the ill are NOT DISPENSIBLE PROGRAMS – THEY ARE VITAL.

I believe that as elected officials, we have a responsibility to act in a fiscally responsible manner and make government run accordingly. I am determined to reform how government spends. A plan to do this successfully will necessarily include a combination of cutting non-essential services and reallocating revenues. We must employ a moratorium on new programs until the budget is balanced and a freeze in pay increases should be implemented for all government employees and elected officials. Compromises must be made, but I am not willing to abandon those children, families and seniors that need our help most. Continue reading »

Dear Friend,
As a medical school Professor and Department Chair for 22 years, I taught an ethics course to aspiring medical professionals. For 13 years, my husband Bill was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago who specialized in prosecuting wayward public officials at all levels of government. Therefore, I was relatively well-acquainted with real-world ethical needs and problems when I was first elected to the Illinois Legislature in 1996. From day one, as a legislator, I have made ethics reform a priority – with some successes over the years. I have helped enact campaign disclosure laws, mandated ethics training, and helped to create the Illinois Gift Ban. Continue reading »

Springfield, IL….Demonstrating her commitment to students with special needs, State Representative Elizabeth Coulson authored legislation that will create a smoother transition for students with special needs from school to post-school activities. The Illinois House approved House Bill 979 unanimously.

Specifically, the legislation provides that a child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) in effect after their 14th birthday must include measurable post-secondary transition goals related to education, employment and independent living skills. The bill also requires that the plan connect the student with resources and follow-up connections for their transition. Continue reading »

Springfield, IL….State Representative Elizabeth Coulson is urging area residents to become aware about the risks of the swine influenza outbreak in the United States and Mexico. Though not confirmed, nine probable cases are being tracked by the Illinois Department of Public Health. These cases all appear to be mild and none of the individuals have been hospitalized. Nevertheless, it is important to be familiar with this flu virus, risk factors, and steps to maintain good health.

Swine influenza is a respiratory disease caused by Type A influenza viruses, predominantly found in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen, and as we have recently seen, it is possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person. Continue reading »

Springfield, IL….The Illinois House unanimously adopted a resolution adopted by State Representative Elizabeth Coulson that will increase environmental standards. House Resolution 163 creates a task force to study local government development standards and processes and their effect on watershed, wetlands and floodplains.

“There are a variety of critical issues that must be considered when developing near a watershed or floodplain. We need to ensure that our local governments are following the highest standards possible when they are approving development near our natural resources,” Rep. Coulson said. Continue reading »

Glenview…Today, Governor Pat Quinn signed into law legislation championed by State Representative Elizabeth Coulson that will ensure children who need habilitative services due to a trauma or injury at a young age or a congenital or genetic birth defect have health care coverage.

Specifically, Senate Bill 101 mandates insurance companies to provide coverage for occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy for children under the age of 19 with congenital or genetic defects that developed at birth or at a young age.  The legislation passed in the House and Senate unanimously.

“Today is a life-changing day for many families who have been facing enormous medical bills to ensure that their children with autism, cerebral palsy or injury from a trauma, receive the care and treatment they need.  Habilitative services are critical in helping children with disabilities grow, develop and function independently,” Rep. Coulson said. Continue reading »

Springfield, IL….This week, the Illinois House advanced legislation authored by State Representative Elizabeth Coulson, which creates grant opportunities for students who participate in the Clinical Center Achieve Program at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC).  The Achieve Program is a comprehensive academic support system designed to meet the needs of SIUC students with previously diagnosed learning disabilities and/or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Continue reading »

Springfield, IL….Committed to eliminating taxpayer abuse, State Representative Elizabeth Coulson (R-Glenview) authored legislation to ban taxpayer-funded billboards or electronic message boards promoting a state administered program bearing the name, picture or voice of a state executive branch constitutional officer or legislator. The Illinois House approved House Bill 286 unanimously this week.

“I introduced this bill in response to complaints from several of my constituents who believed that the Illinois Tollway signs bearing former Governor Blagojevich’s name were a misuse of state funds. Billboards should be used to highlight state programs and services available for taxpayers — not for political promotion,” Rep. Coulson said. Continue reading »