Greenwood Pushes Agenda to Grow Middle-Class, Expand Access to Health Care and Assist Active Duty Military during Legislative Session

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – This legislative session, state Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, worked collaboratively with fellow members of the General Assembly to build a stronger middle-class by pushing proposals which raise wages, expand access to health care, and protect the interests of active duty military men and women.

“As we entered the 101^st General Assembly in January following the failures of the Rauner administration, we faced many difficult decisions about how to get Illinois’ priorities back in step with its needs and demands,” Greenwood said. “Since that time, we have taken strides to pass comprehensive proposals to fight for fairer taxes while building an economy that creates high wage jobs and makes health care more affordable.”

Greenwood co-sponsored Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1, which is the first step in restructuring the state’s tax structure to reduce the tax burden on 97% of Illinoisans. Before any formal tax reform can be enacted, Illinois voters will have an opportunity to make a decision regarding whether or not the proposed new Fair Tax is in the best interest of the state.

“This proposal would provide income tax relief for 99% of the residents in my district, and that is not something we can afford to overlook,” Greenwood said.

Greenwood has also been a leader in passing a package of proposals to expand access to health care, particularly on issues dealing with physical and mental illness among pregnant women and mothers. She was the chief sponsor of House Bill 4 and Senate Bill 1909, and chief co-sponsored other legislation to both expand coverage for medical complications and study the issue of mortality in women, especially among vulnerable communities.

“Expanding access to reasonable and affordable health care has been one of my top priorities since day one,” Greenwood said. “And my devotion to helping at-risk women receive the medical care and attention they need is an issue I am continuing to focus my efforts on.”

To protect the interests of active duty military, Greenwood’s House Bill 1652 would accelerate the process by which applications for professional licensure are processed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and establish a military liaison to oversee the application process at the department. Additionally, it would extend the lifetime of such licenses to three years in an effort to accommodate active duty military personnel and their spouses temporarily stationed at military bases across the state. 

“I am committed to improving the livelihoods of military men and women by ensuring access to a system that yields the best results to achieve the highest possible employment outcomes,” Greenwood said. “Our priority remains with service members, and I am proud to have passed a common sense bill to help these dedicated individuals receive gainful employment.”

Greenwood represents the 114^th House District which includes East St. Louis and Centreville, as well as portions of O’Fallon, Millstadt, Mascoutah, and other communities throughout the Metro East. She is currently serving in her second term at State Representative.