Posts by Legal Council
Making the Case for Use of Federal WIC Funds to Conduct Blood Lead Testing
Childhood lead exposure remains a persistent environmental health threat, particularly for low-income minority children. Research has shown that children in families receiving public assistance such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are more likely to have elevated blood lead levels than children not enrolled in a public assistance program, and that targeted testing of WIC participants could help identify additional children with elevated blood lead levels.
Read MorePatient Advocates vs. Trump Administration
Patient advocates and other healthcare groups filed a lawsuit in federal court on Sept. 14 to block the Trump administration from “expanding the availability of short-term health plans that don’t offer a full set of benefits,” according to a piece in the LA Times. The administration has been trying to diminish patient security brought by the Affordable Care…
Read MoreShort-term plans lead to long-term risks
Short term limited duration (STLD) plans might be cheaper than traditional policies but come with the price of limited benefits. This is bad news for people who are diagnosed with certain illnesses and can be either charged more out-of-pocket or denied coverage altogether. The Trump Administration is expected to produce plans that will expand these policies,…
Read MoreDefend & Protect Illinois Immigrant Families
The federal government is planning to force immigrant families to choose between receiving the critical benefits they need to live (healthcare, food, shelter) and any hope of obtaining long-term legal status. The planned change would make use of benefits, even by children, a virtual bar to their parents adjustment of immigration status and is a…
Read MoreGuest Blog: Taking Pride in Who You Are
“I always knew I wanted to work in public interest law, but I came to Legal Council because I wanted a place where I could be myself. I wanted a place where I could interact with clients who were like me. Growing up in South Georgia, I didn’t always have that.” – Myron Grant, Legal Council Staff Attorney.
Read MoreACA Under Attack
Illinois’ Attorney General Lisa Madigan has join a coalition of 16 Attorneys General that are opposing a lawsuit filed by Texas and several other states.
Read MoreThousands Illegally Denied Health Coverage in Illinois
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16, 2018 Contacts: Michelle Nicolet (P) 312.368.2675 mnicolet@povertylaw.org Jill Wohl (P) 312-605-1980 jwohl@legalcouncil.org Thousands Illegally Denied Health Coverage in Illinois State of Illinois Sued for Massive Medicaid Delay Chicago, IL—Attorneys on behalf of thousands of low-income people filed a motion in court on Tuesday to enforce federal law and the State…
Read MoreCTU, legal advocates, special ed parents will respond to ISBE decision Wednesday on outside monitor for CPS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE May 15, 2018 CTU, legal advocates, special ed parents will respond to ISBE decision Wednesday on outside monitor for CPS State board ruling could impose record oversight, penalties on district for denying services to students in violation of federal law CHICAGO–Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) Vice President Jesse Sharkey will join legal advocates,…
Read MoreNew survey shows CPS special ed problems continue despite ISBE probe
FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE May 9, 2018 For more information, contact: Matt Cohen, 312-961-4179, mdcspedlaw@gmail.com; Amy Zimmerman, (312) 605-1963, AZimmerman@legalcouncil.org New survey shows CPS special ed problems continue despite ISBE probe Parents, teachers say CPS hasn’t fixed problems, independent monitoring team needed to oversee program and protect students New survey shows CPS special ed problems continue…
Read MoreStop Junk Insurance in Illinois
Quality and affordable health insurance should be available to every Illinoisan and every American citizen, full stop. Unfortunately, this notion is being challenged by pending federal regulations that could result in a large expansion of the number of short term plans offered to hardworking Illinoisans. Short term plans differ from other health insurance plans; their long lists of what is not covered leaves many consumers with expensive medical bills. Plans sold in Illinois can exclude coverage for preexisting conditions, prescription drugs, hospital room and board on a weekend, and treatment for mental and health or substance abuse disorders.
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