For Immediate Release                                  Contact: Gerardo Cardenas  312-458-3609

November 2, 2009                                                         

AARP SET TO FIGHT AMEREN’S NEW RATE INCREASE PROPOSAL

Volunteers Attend Last 2009 Hearing, Urge ICC to Reject $162 million Increase 

DECATUR – Barely one year after hitting consumers with a multimillion dollar rate increase, Ameren is back at the trough – asking the Illinois Commerce Commission to approve an even larger rate hike. On behalf of its 1.8 million Illinois members, AARP is set to fight the utility company’s plans, urging the ICC to say “No Way!” to their request.

Ameren has asked the ICC for a $162 million increase on the delivery of electric and natural gas to its Illinois customers, barely a year after getting the go-ahead from the ICC to jack up their rates by the same amount. The state will render a decision in 2010. For working families and older adults living on fixed incomes, Ameren’s proposed rate hike comes at the worst possible time – with average annual increases estimated at nearly $125 for both services.

“The country is in a recession. Now is not the time for utility companies to seek rate increases,” said AARP volunteer Nancy Funk, who presented testimony during tonight’s ICC public hearing in Decatur, the last of the scheduled 2009 hearings on this rate case. “We urge the ICC to do the right thing, and reject Ameren’s proposal.”

AARP is encouraging its members and the public to attend the hearings and voice their opposition, and if they cannot attend them to call the ICC directly at 1-800-524-0795 and provide a direct comment. Consumers can also go online to http://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/comment, and provide comments.

In the current economic downturn, utility bills are on the largest expenses individuals face every month. According to an AARP survey, older adults can spend nearly 20 percent of their income on utility costs, while almost half of people 50 and older said the recession has made it harder for them to pay their utility bills.

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For Immidiate Release                                    Contact: Jim Bray
October 29, 2009                                               217-793-8416

CHANGE Illinois! Says Agreement to Limit Campaign Contributions Puts Illinois on the Road to Reform
 
Remains Committed to Additional Reforms

 
SPRINGFIELD, IL - The CHANGE Illinois ! coalition has reached agreement with Governor Quinn, Senate President Cullerton and Speaker Madigan on legislation that would establish limits on campaign contributions by political parties, legislative leaders, individuals, corporations, unions, and PACs.
 
For the first time in the history of Illinois - one of only five states where unlimited campaign contributions are legal - there would be limitations on the amount of money contributed to political campaigns.
 
Other important elements of the agreement will create a framework for regulation of the finance system and enforcement of a new limits law.  They include:

·      Swift disclosure to the public of every contribution of $1,000 or more;
 
·      Quarterly (now just twice a year) reports from committees detailing the source of every contribution of more than $150 and listing how funds were spent in the quarter;
 
·      Audits of the finances of political committees selected at random by the State Board of Elections to check compliance with state laws; and
 
·      Creation of a searchable database of penalties assessed by the State Board of Elections in response to violations of the campaign disclosure and limitation laws.
 
In addition, a bi-partisan task force, including public members, will be created to analyze the new limits, make recommendations for improvements, and examine the feasibility of creating a voluntary public campaign finance system for all state offices, including the judiciary.
 
"Setting limits on contributions to political campaigns, will be an important step in bringing meaningful reform to Illinois," said George Ranney, a co-chair of CHANGE Illinois ! and President and CEO of Chicago Metropolis 2020.  "As important as this first step is, it is only that - one step in a long road to the reform of this state's political culture.  We have much more work to do and loopholes to be closed."
 
"After scandals in Washington and in state capitols and city halls around the nation, the federal government and most other states passed laws limiting the role of campaign contributions during the past couple of decades," said Cynthia Canary, Director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.   "Finally, Illinois is about to signal to the rest of the nation that we're ready to join them and impose limits on all contributions coming into the system."
 
CHANGE Illinois ! is a coalition of civic, business, labor, professional, non-profit and philanthropic organizations, which represents more than 2 million members advocating for Illinois to join the federal government and virtually every other state in the nation by enacting campaign finance limits.
 
The coalition led a public education campaign that generated support for strong campaign finance reform and resulted in Gov. Quinn's veto of a badly flawed campaign finance bill passed earlier this year by the General Assembly. Members of the coalition promised to work with the Governor and legislative leaders to produce a bill with meaningful limits and effective enforcement tools.
 
Following that veto, the coalition worked with the Governor and legislative leaders to design a reform program that would be comparable to systems in use elsewhere in the nation.
 
Under terms of the agreement, individuals will not be able to contribute more than $5,000 to any candidate in an election cycle; businesses, labor unions and associations will have $10,000 limits on contributions to candidates; and political action committees will be limited to no more than $50,000 per candidate.
 
One major stumbling block in negotiations centered on the ability of political parties and caucus leaders to transfer unlimited amounts of money from their funds to political candidates. The final agreement does include limits on the amounts of money that can be transferred to candidates during primary elections.  Party leaders will no longer be able to control local primary election campaigns by pouring unlimited amounts of money into the campaigns of favored candidates.
 
"There was no agreement reached on transfers from leaders to candidates during general election campaigns, but CHANGE Illinois ! will continue to advocate for those limits in the future," Ranney said.
 
"Because parties and legislative leaders have been able to contribute unlimited amounts of money in primary campaigns, few people have been willing to run for
office without the backing of party leaders," said Anton Valukas, a former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and a member of CHANGE Illinois ! coalition.  "As long as they have the support of their leaders, many state legislators get a free ride to reelection. Setting limits in the primary will not remove all advantages of incumbency, but they should give more challengers a fighting chance and offer voters more choices."
 
The agreement will create limits on transfers from party leaders to all candidates for all state and local offices in primary elections. Each limit will be an aggregate limit, meaning the total of any combination of party and leader committees in a primary cannot exceed the limit.   The limits on transfers are $200,000 for statewide candidates, $125,000 to Senate candidates, $75,000 for House candidates, and a range of limits from $50,000 to $125,000 for candidates running for every other office - from local offices to seats on the Illinois Supreme Court.
 
"Placing limits on campaign contributions and their influence is an important first step in reminding our elected officials that the citizens and voters of Illinois have special interests too," said Bob Gallo, AARP Illinois Senior State Director. "This legislation promises to be a significant first step in addressing the lack of public confidence in the capability of our elected officials to address the issues concerning individuals and their families during these difficult economic times."
 
"This reform measure, while imperfect, is a long time overdue and an essential first step toward a cleaner, fairer, more representative election system," said Dawn Clark Netsch, a former legislator, statewide officeholder, long-time advocate of limits and a member of CHANGE Illinois ! coalition.
 

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For Immediate Release                                  Contact: Gerardo Cardenas 

October 29, 2009                                               312-351-0228

AARP COMMENDS GOVERNOR FOR FIRST STEP TOWARDS REFORMING THE ICC

Group Calls on State Senate to Confirm Appointment of Consumer Advocate

SPRINGFIELD– With utility companies back at the trough seeking multimillion dollar rate increases, consumers need to have their interests represented with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Joined by state legislators, AARP today commended the Governor for taking a first step towards reforming the ICC, while at the same time urged him to continue ensuring Illinoisans have access to affordable utilities.

“In these tough economic times, utility bills can break a family’s budget,” said AARP Illinois volunteer Dean Clough. “We urge the Governor to continue bringing reform to the ICC, so that consumers are fairly represented, and decisions are duly balanced.”

AARP commended Governor Pat Quinn for appointing consumer John Colgan to fill a vacant position at the ICC. The Association also urged the State Senate to confirm this appointment, which is a positive step toward balancing the interests of utility companies with those of the public.

“The consumers of Illinois lack real choices in many circumstances when it comes to their utility providers so it is very important that the Illinois Commerce Commission is able to weigh the impact any utility rate increases would have on the public,” State Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion) said.  “Having a fully operational Commission is essential to making sure that consumers’ voices are heard before any rate request decisions are made.”

With Ameren seeking a $226 million rate increase, a year after getting a $162 million increase, AARP is working with other consumer advocates, state legislators and the Attorney General to urge the ICC to reject the request.

In the current recession, further utility rate increases can have a devastating impact on the economies of older residents, and low-income individuals and families. Older adults spend nearly a quarter of their income on utility costs. According to a recent AARP survey, almost half of people aged 50 and older said the economic downturn has made it harder for them to pay their utility bills.

“Illinois consumers have had enough with utility companies that seek further rate hikes, while continuing to post record profits,” added Clough.

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F or Immediate Release                          Contacts:        Gerardo Cardenas   312-458-3609

September 30, 2009

 AARP, ADVOCATES URGE GOVERNOR TO PROTECT HOME CARE SERVICES

As Concerns MountOver Quality of Care Issues at Several Illinois Nursing Homes, Groups Stress Need to Provide Options for Older Illinoisans

SPRINGFIELD – Older individuals needing long term care services find themselves between a rock and hard place: not only are some Illinois nursing homes ranked among the worst in the nation – the state is threatening to cut home care services for thousands of residents. Today, AARP and other advocate organizations took to the phone lines, sending a strong message to Governor Quinn: stop the cuts and ensure critical home care services are not depleted.

“Thousands of older Illinoisans depend on home care services provided by the state so they can age independently and with dignity in their own home and communities,” said AARP Illinois Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Nancy Nelson. “But if those services are cut, thousands of individuals may be forced into costly institutional care. With recent revelations about safety concerns at some Illinois nursing homes, AARP urges the Governor to stop cuts to the state’s home care services.”

The Illinois Department on Aging recently sent out notice that in-home care for older adults would be significantly reduced.  Nearly 20,000 older Illinoisans will be immediately impacted as the cuts are slated to go into effect in November.

Simultaneously the Department of Public Health announced it will cut funds by $350,000 for the state’s Ombudsman program. Thousands of older Illinoisans living in nursing homes depend on  this program to protect them against cases of abuse and neglect.

AARP and an alliance of home care service agencies today led a “Telephone Lobby Day”, urging members and volunteers to call the association’s Home Care Services Hotline, toll-free at 1-888-616-3322, to connect directly with the Governor, and urge him to act on this issue.      

The action came on the heels of troubling newspaper reports that pointed out to serious quality concerns regarding several nursing homes in Illinois. The Chicago Tribune reported on a series of problems at a number of homes, ranging from erroneous background checks, to cases of drug violations, assault, or rape. 

Separately, Crain’s Chicago Business quoted a federal report placing Illinois as the state with the nation’s second-highest number of nursing homes that have been flagged as having poor quality of care. Forty-seven Illinois homes made the list.

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For Immediate Release                                  Contact: Gerardo Cardenas  312-458-3609

September 29, 2009                                                        

AARP SET TO FIGHT AMEREN’S NEW RATE INCREASE PROPOSAL

Volunteers Attend Hearing, Urge ICC to Reject $226 million Increase 

SPRINGFIELD– Barely one year after hitting consumers with a multimillion dollar rate increase, Ameren is back at the trough – asking the Illinois Commerce Commission to approve an even larger rate hike. On behalf of its 1.8 million Illinois members, AARP is set to fight the utility company’s plans, urging the ICC to say “No Way!” to their request.

The ICC has scheduled four public hearings on a $226 million increase for electric and natural gas customers, before the ICC renders a decision in 2010. For working families and older adults living on fixed incomes, Ameren’s proposed rate hike comes at the worst possible time – with average annual increases estimated at nearly $125.

“The country is in a recession. Now is not the time for utility companies to seek rate increases,” said Dean Clough, an AARP volunteer from the Springfield area, who attended the ICC’s first public hearing in Springfield. “We urge the ICC to do the right thing, and reject Ameren’s proposal.”

AARP is encouraging its members and the public to attend the hearings and voice their opposition, and if they cannot attend them to call the ICC directly at 1-800-524-0795 and provide a direct comment. Consumers can also go online to http://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/comment , and provide comments.

Last year, Ameren got the go ahead from the ICC for a $162 million rate increase. Ameren is also seeking to apply a variety of new surcharges to Illinois consumers.

In the current economic downturn, utility bills are on the largest expenses individuals face every month. According to an AARP survey, older adults can spend nearly 20 percent of their income on utility costs, while almost half of people 50 and older said the recession has made it harder for them to pay their utility bills.

Public hearing schedule:

September 29^th – Springfield, 7 pm

Illinois Commerce Commission, 527 E. Capitol Ave

October 5^th – Collinsville, 7 pm

Kenneth Hall Regional Office building, 1100 EastportPlaza,

October 27^th – Pekin, 7 pm

PekinCity Council Chambers, 111 S. Capitol St.

November 2^nd – Decatur, 6 pm

Decatur Public Library, Madden Room, 130 N Franklin, 6 pm

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Where AARP Stands on Health Care

There's been a lot of confusion about what's involved in health care reform, and even more confusion about who is supporting what. At AARP, our core goal remains the same. We are fighting for our members today, just as we've fought for them for the last 50 years. Today, that means we're fighting to protect the Medicare benefits you’ve earned. To guarantee that you’ll never be denied coverage because of your health or age. To prevent anyone from coming between you and your doctor.  And to make sure patients don’t take a backseat to insurance companies.

More specifically, AARP is fighting to:

Protect Medicare Benefits. Medicare is a sacred promise that was made to seniors – because no one should be left to struggle with medical bills after a lifetime of hard work.  We must protect the Medicare benefits seniors have earned and strengthen the program for future generations. We’re also working to fill in gaps in today’s benefit package, such as closing the Part D prescription drug coverage gap (the so-called “doughnut hole.”) and eliminate out-of-pocket costs for important preventive care like cancer screenings and diabetes tests.

Eliminate Waste: We must reduce waste in Medicare so we can ensure today’s seniors continue to get the benefits they’ve been promised.   Currently, Medicare hands out billions in subsidies to private insurance companies.  These are tax dollars that should be going to seniors’ care not insurance company subsidies.   By eliminating this waste, we can protect senior benefits and fill in some of the gaps in Medicare.

Preserve Your Choice of Doctor:   AARP is fighting to ensure doctors get paid fairly so seniors will have the freedom to choose the doctors they need. Without health reform, Medicare doctors will be forced to take a 21 percent pay cut.    

Protect Your Right to Make Medical Decisions:  AARP is fighting to ensure that all health decisions are made by you and your doctor, not your insurance company or the government.   No matter what your age, your care should be your choice. 

Prevent Discrimination. Health reform must end insurance abuses, such as denials of coverage due to a person’s health history, or using age as an excuse to charge sky-high premiums. Such discrimination has become a serious problem for Americans age 50-plus who need insurance, and AARP is fighting to make sure needed protections are in a final health reform plan.

Protect Consumers:  AARP is fighting to stop the high prices charged by drug companies by: enabling drug price negotiation; allowing safe, legal importation of lower-priced prescription drugs from abroad; and permitting the sale of generic versions of biologic drugs – costly medications for diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.

AARP will continue to scrutinize health reform proposals, to determine whether they make sense for our members and their families. We are watching this process closely and will continue to work to make sure all Americans have the health coverage they need.

Stay informed. Read the latest news on how AARP is fighting for you. http://www.aarp.org/getthefacts

WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE INCOME PAYMENT PLAN?

In July, Governor Quinn signed an AARP-backed bill that will help provide some relief to consumers who are struggling with increasing utility bills.  The law (Public Act 96-0033) created the Percentage Income Payment Plan (PIPP).  The PIPP program is designed to assist low-income customers in making their utility service more affordable by providing year around assistance.  The program sets eligible customer's utility bills at 6% of their household income - with the remainer paid from state and federal energy assistance funding.

IS THE PIPP PROGRAM AVAILABLE NOW?

The PIPP program is currently under development by the state, utilities, and consumer advocates, and is expected to be rolled-out on a small scale in November/December for electric heat (ComEd and Ameren) customers, and December/January for natural gas heat (Ameren, Peoples/North Shore and Nicor) customers.  The program will be fully online in 2011.

WHAT ABOUT GETTING ASSISTANCE NOW?

Currently, applications are being accepted for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP).  LiHEAP provides eligible households with a one-time energy assistance grant and emergency re-connection assistance.  Applications for LiHEAP are administered through Community Action Agencies - see link for the list of agencies by county.  The PIPP program will have the same application process once it is operational.

http://www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/LIHEAP/Illinois+LIHEAP/community+action+agencies.htm

For more information, call the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity at 1-877-411-9276.

For Immediate Release:                                                     Contacts: David Irwin (312) 458-3621                                                                                           

July 16, 2009                                                                                Gerardo Cardenas (312) 458-3609           

AARP SAYS ILLINOIS BUDGET SHOWS PROMISE & PROBLEMS

Statement by Bob Gallo

AARP IllinoisState Director

SPRINGFIELD , Illinois –Last night, as the General Assembly and Governor Quinn reached a budget agreement for Illinois, a looming disaster for many may have been narrowly averted.  AARP commends the Governor and the General Assembly for moving beyond the harsh “doomsday” budget.

While many details have yet to become to clear, AARP remains deeply concerned about funding for programs and services that enable hundreds of thousands of elderly Illinoisans to access health care and prescription drug assistance, receive home and community based services that help them avoid costly institutional care, and keeping Illinois’ veterans homes open. 

Our state leaders have made progress with this budget; however, AARP urges them to focus on long-term solutions to Illinois’ growing budget woes.   We look forward to working with the Governor and the General Assembly to ensure Illinois continues to uphold its strong tradition of providing critical services to the most vulnerable populations.

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For Immediate Release:                                                     Contacts: David Irwin (312) 458-3621                                                                                           

Thursday, July 9, 2009                                                                 Gerardo Cardenas (312) 458-3609                                                                                                                         

HIGH Rx COSTS HAMMERING ILLINOIS’ 50+ POPULATION

AARP Survey Finds Group Delaying or Skipping Medications, Cutting Back on Food to Afford Soaring Rx Prices

CHICAGO, Illinois – Skyrocketing prescription drug prices are stinging Illinoisans over the age 50 – forcing nearly 20 percent to cut back on the basics, like food and utilities, in order to afford needed medications.  According to a recent AARP survey, as brand name drugs see record price increases, the majority of the state’s 50 plus population are worried about being able to pay for their medications in the coming year.  

“No one should have to choose between filling their grocery cart and filling a prescription,” said Merri Dee, State President for AARP in Illinois.  “The high cost of health care is taking a harsh toll on people of all age groups – older individuals in particular are struggling with soaring prescription costs.”  

Key survey findings include: 63% of AARP members in Illinois are concerned about affording their prescription drugs, while close to 20% had to cut back on necessities to pay for prescriptions.  Additionally 21% didn’t fill or delayed filling a prescription due to cost and 18% took less than the prescribed amount to make the medicine last longer.  The survey also found women and Hispanics tend to be harder hit by high drug costs than the general 50 plus population.   

In the past year, prices for brand name prescription drugs increased an average of 8.7%, well past the 3.8% rate of general inflation.  The increase marked the largest price jump in six years, while generic drug prices decreased by nearly 11%. 

Already among the most expensive, specialty prescription drugs known as biologics, used to treat conditions that tend to affect older populations such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, saw the largest price increases at 9.3%.  Currently, generic versions of these drugs are not available, leaving consumers to either pay exorbitant prices or be forced to skip the medication altogether due to cost. 

The survey highlights the need for solutions to the growing problem.  As part of its push for national health care reform, AARP is calling on federal lawmakers to tackle the issue by closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap, known as the doughnut hole, and lowering drug costs by passing legislation, “Promoting Innovation and Access to Life-Saving Medicine Act” (H.R. 1427/S. 726), which would allow consumers access to generic versions of expensive biologic drugs.

The entire survey can be found at www.aarp.org/research/health/carefinancing/il_hcr_09.html

For more details on AARP’s health reform priorities, visit www.aarp.org/governmentwatch