GRAYSLAKE — State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) offers the following statement after further news of a bribery scheme that implicates close allies of House Speaker Michael J. Madigan.

“The days of transactional politics have to end. This type of behavior that promotes compliance through rewards and punishment has been going on for far too long. The end starts with the House speaker stepping down from his position. This isn’t an issue of legal or illegal, it’s an issue of right and wrong – it’s about ethics, government responsibility and restoring the public trust.

“We can’t solve our state’s structural problems until we restore faith in government. That faith has been shaken, in part, because so many in government stood by and allowed these problems to fester.  We need to stand up and demand this end. To say, with one voice, that we will accept nothing less than real change. And that change starts by demanding the speaker step down.

We desperately need transformational leadership in Illinois in order to solve the difficult challenges we face and someone who will uphold his or her ethical duties as a member of the General Assembly, a state leader and a person.”

Bush has urged the speaker to step down since July 17, following the initial investigation into the years-long bribery scheme. 

GRAYSLAKE – The country’s top court ruled Wednesday that employers can opt out of the Affordable Care Act’s birth control mandate over religious and moral objections. However, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is reminding women it will not impact Illinoisans, thanks to last year’s passage of the Reproductive Health Act.

“I am disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision to allow employers to dictate a woman’s access to contraception,” Bush said. “Employers can’t deny access to antibiotics for someone who has a sexually transmitted disease for moral reasons. How can they deny access to birth control?”

The Supreme Court made it more difficult for women to get access to birth control through their employer’s insurance, should their employer have a moral or religious objection to contraceptives.

The opinion upheld an administrative rule from President Donald Trump that significantly cut back on the Affordable Care Act’s requirement for insurers to provide coverage of preventative care and screenings without any cost sharing requirements as part of most health care plans.

However, thanks to the Reproductive Health Act, spearheaded by Bush, the court’s ruling does not supersede Illinois law. The Reproductive Health Act ensures reproductive health care is treated like all other health care in Illinois, guaranteeing women continued access to contraceptives.

“Today’s ruling further shows the importance of the Reproductive Health Act passed by the Illinois General Assembly last year,” Bush said. “The monumental measure affirms women, not politicians nor employers, can and should make their own decisions.”

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is encouraging local small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 to apply for the Lake County Small Business Assistance COVID-19 Grant Program.

“Small business owners in Lake County and throughout the state experienced unforeseen financial difficulties that will be difficult to bounce back from without help,” Bush said. “While reopening has been beneficial to many businesses, they are still constantly facing financial obligations to keep their stores clean and their employees protected.”

Lake County created the grant program in an effort to assist small businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Starting Tuesday, July 7 at 8 a.m., county businesses can apply online for up to $30,000. The funds can be used to cover up to four months of occupancy – which includes rent, mortgage and utilities – and expenses incurred due to the pandemic – including, but not limited to, plexiglass, masks, sanitation and employee training.

The grant program will be administered by Lake County Partners with the final approval and fund dispersal performed by Lake County. Preference will be given to businesses that have not yet received federal assistance. Lake County Partners is a private, non-profit organization that focuses on economic development in Lake County.

“From rent assistance to training employees on how best keep themselves and their community safe, the grants will provide financial relief businesses so desperately need,” Bush said. “I encourage any small business in Lake County that has dealt with financial challenges to apply immediately.”

Local small businesses can apply starting Tuesday at lakecountyil.gov/4444/Lake-County-Forward. Applications will be open until July 20 at 11:59 p.m.

GRAYSLAKE — In an effort to help people focus on their finances after months of economic disparities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Melinda Bush (Grayslake) is highlighting a number of free credit reporting websites.

“The COVID-19 pandemic put unforeseen financial burdens on many families,” Bush said. “Credit reporting websites can be expensive, but it’s important to know your credit score. However, there are many free resources available, and I encourage people to take advantage of them.”

As Illinoisans across the state have experienced negative economic impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bush is encouraging everyone to check their credit scores and be aware of their finances. Everyone is now eligible to receive their weekly credit report for free through Equifax, Experian and TransUnion until April 2021. For more information, please visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

“Regularly checking your credit can allow you to take control over your finances and lead you to financial freedom,” Bush said. “As we continue to live through these hard and unprecedented times, the best thing we can do is make sure we come out of it stronger.”