Illinois Department of Human Services

Healing Illinois renews $4.5 million grant project to advance racial healing

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 6, 2023

Managed in partnership with the Field Foundation of Illinois, Healing Illinois will distribute $4.5 million in grants to organizations across the state that facilitate racial healing activities, lead equity work and engage in meaningful dialogue.

Key Points: 
  • Managed in partnership with the Field Foundation of Illinois, Healing Illinois will distribute $4.5 million in grants to organizations across the state that facilitate racial healing activities, lead equity work and engage in meaningful dialogue.
  • The response to the initial launch of Healing Illinois resulted in positive activities and programming funded in 2021 that demonstrated the importance of this racial healing work for community-based organizations.
  • Healing Illinois grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State and Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) certified.
  • Racial Healing Readiness: early-stage ideas for new programming and projects with a long-term vision to advance racial healing.

College of American Pathologists Honors 29 Members/Residents at CAP23 Annual Meeting

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, October 7, 2023

The College of American Pathologists (CAP), the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and the leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, honored several of its members for their contributions to pathology and laboratory medicine during its annual meeting, in Chicago, Illinois October 7-10, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • The College of American Pathologists (CAP), the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and the leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, honored several of its members for their contributions to pathology and laboratory medicine during its annual meeting, in Chicago, Illinois October 7-10, 2023.
  • In recognition of her long and distinguished career in pathology, the CAP named Bharati Suketu Jhaveri, MD, FCAP, Pathologist of the Year.
  • Dr. Jhaveri has devoted much of her professional life to the CAP.
  • “I am grateful to be recognized for this prestigious award from the College of American Pathologists and consider this award encouragement to continue,” shares Dr. Jhaveri.

FHLBank Chicago Increases Support for Small Businesses through Subsidized Lending and Accelerate Grants

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 23, 2023

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) responds with a two-pronged approach, announcing expanded discounted lending and grants:

Key Points: 
  • The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) responds with a two-pronged approach, announcing expanded discounted lending and grants:
    This press release features multimedia.
  • FHLBank Chicago member financial institutions can provide significantly below-market rate loans to business owners in low- and moderate-income communities.
  • Eligible small businesses qualify by either annual receipts or number of employees, based on U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations.
  • “It’s very important to have money invested in small businesses because they are the backbone of a small community like ours,” said Mlsna.

Collaborative Bridges Delivering a New Model of Care to Close Gaps in Behavioral and Mental Health Services on West Side of Chicago

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 16, 2023

"We have an opportunity to create systems of care that are solution-focused and connected at a community level.

Key Points: 
  • "We have an opportunity to create systems of care that are solution-focused and connected at a community level.
  • When people seek hospital care for behavioral health and substance needs, it is often because they have inadequate community support in their lives.
  • To confront this challenge, Collaborative Bridges assigns care coordinators to patients and stays close through their entire care journey.
  • Collaborative Bridges is part of the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services' Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives (HTC) .

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin Engages with Future Mental Health Leaders at The Chicago School’s Chicago Campus

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 4, 2023

CHICAGO, Aug. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A strong supporter of mental health, particularly for children and families, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, (D-IL), met with future mental healthcare professionals at The Chicago School, one of the nation’s premier psychology graduate schools.

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, Aug. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A strong supporter of mental health, particularly for children and families, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, (D-IL), met with future mental healthcare professionals at The Chicago School, one of the nation’s premier psychology graduate schools.
  • "We are thrilled to welcome Senator Durbin to our Chicago campus," said Dr. Michele Nealon, President of The Chicago School.
  • "His visit reaffirms the importance of mental health and underscores our collective responsibility to address the pressing mental health needs of our communities.
  • “I hope we find a way to recognize mental health and speak about it honestly,” said Senator Durbin.

Code for America and State of Illinois Unveil Landmark Partnership to Transform How Families Access Affordable Child Care

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 27, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Code for America – the leading civic tech nonprofit that works with community leaders and governments to build equitable, accessible digital tools and services – today announced a landmark partnership with the State of Illinois to enable tens of thousands of families in the state to access and pay for child care more easily through the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

Key Points: 
  • "Through this partnership, we will ease the burden on Illinois parents and other caregivers trying to juggle work, school, and child care," said Amanda Renteria, CEO of Code for America.
  • "By selecting an astute and human-centric partner, we're driving towards seamless access to essential assistance for Illinois families.
  • "This exciting work is one part of a program-wide modernization of child care technology that will streamline CCAP for both families and child care providers.
  • Ultimately, this will expand the supply of child care in Illinois, unlocking critical benefits that enable families to attend school or go to work.

Kathleen Hankes and Makkara Phann Named COD's 2023 Outstanding Graduates

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 22, 2023

Glen Ellyn, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2023) - Kathleen Hankes of Wheaton and Makkara Phann of Winfield are the 2023 Outstanding Graduates at College of DuPage.

Key Points: 
  • Glen Ellyn, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2023) - Kathleen Hankes of Wheaton and Makkara Phann of Winfield are the 2023 Outstanding Graduates at College of DuPage.
  • Instead of going to college after high school, Hankes moved to Arizona, married and had a daughter.
  • Moving to a neighborhood that she could afford, Hankes worked three jobs to provide for herself and her daughter.
  • Kathleen Hankes (left) of Wheaton and Makkara Phann of Winfield are the 2023 Outstanding Graduates at College of DuPage.

Suicide Prevention Advocates Seek Greater State Commitments to Improve Mental Health and Stop Suicide

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 28, 2023

The goal of these conversations is to help lawmakers understand that investments in mental health and suicide prevention can and do save lives.

Key Points: 
  • The goal of these conversations is to help lawmakers understand that investments in mental health and suicide prevention can and do save lives.
  • Among adults with a diagnosed mental health condition, 43.8% did not receive mental health services in 2021.
  • AFSP advocates will raise awareness of the state actions, resources, and investments needed to support the thousands of [Insert State] residents affected by suicide and mental health conditions each year.
  • AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide.

Chubb Introduces Third Generation of Fiduciary Solutions for Multiemployer Plans

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 15, 2022

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Nov. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb has introduced the Multiemployer Plan Fiduciary Liability Policy, the third generation of this fiduciary liability product, which is specifically designed to address the unique needs of multiemployer and multiple employer benefit plans, including Taft-Hartley funds. This policy protects these plans and their fiduciaries against allegations of breaches of the duties imposed by employee benefit laws, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) as well as alleged errors in plan administration. This policy can also be tailored to protect individuals who manage governmental plans.

Key Points: 
  • WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Nov. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb has introduced the Multiemployer Plan Fiduciary Liability Policy, the third generation of this fiduciary liability product, which is specifically designed to address the unique needs of multiemployer and multiple employer benefit plans, including Taft-Hartley funds.
  • Chubb claims data and insights reveal that litigation against plans and trustees in recent years has been driven by a spectrum of allegations.
  • For complete coverage highlights and to learn more about the key features of the Multiemployer Plan Fiduciary Liability Policy, click here .
  • To learn more about the importance of the Multiemployer Plan Fiduciary Liability Policy for Public Sector Plans, click here .

Illinois Residents Can Help Play Critical Role in Protecting Local Communities by Scheduling Immunizations

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Meridian Health Plan of Illinois (Meridian) is dedicated to ensuring Illinois residents have access to information and resources about routine immunizations to help protect children and communities against preventable illnesses.

Key Points: 
  • Meridian Health Plan of Illinois (Meridian) is dedicated to ensuring Illinois residents have access to information and resources about routine immunizations to help protect children and communities against preventable illnesses.
  • Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, immunizations have declined, with all populations showing a downward trend from pre-pandemic routine immunization rates .
  • Routine vaccinations have proven effective in preventing serious illness within schools and communities.
  • Immunizations not only protect the individuals who are vaccinated, they also protect everyone who interacts with them.