BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. – Legislation passed by state Rep. Daniel Didech (D – Buffalo Grove) to increase transparency within county government was recently signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker. House Bill 56, now signed into law as Public Act 102-0048, will ensure that taxpayers are informed about stipends paid to countywide office holders, like Sheriffs, Treasurers, and Clerks. Under this new law, county boards must now include a list of all stipends paid to countywide elected officials in its ordinance setting the compensation for those individuals.

“Current law provides an opportunity for politicians to secretly line their pockets with our tax dollars,” said Didech. “Many counties only publish what they directly pay these elected officials, keeping taxpayers in the dark about their true amount of compensation. This new law will ensure these payments are made in the light of day so every dollar spent on a politician’s compensation package will be available for review by all taxpayers.”

House Bill 56 is a transparency initiative that will inform the public of the total compensation of countywide elected officials. The measure adds to Didech’s list of successful initiatives to increase government transparency and improve accountability throughout Illinois. In addition to HB 56, Didech previously supported Senate Bill 1236, which closed a loophole in state law that allowed some local elected officials to exploit taxpayers for additional compensation, otherwise known as ‘double-dipping’. House Bill 4131 was an initiative also supported by Didech and required lawmakers to be paid only for the days they actually worked if they resign before the end of their term.

“Over the past two and a half years the legislature has several enacted reforms that will increase government transparency and ensure politicians are held to the highest standards,” said Didech. “We must restore the public’s trust in government and I will keep advocating for measures that will improve accountability and stop tax dollars from being wasted.”

Residents who want to share their thoughts or seek assistance with state issues can reach Didech at 847-478-9909 or by email at info@repdidech.com.

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. – In Recognition of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, Oct. 26, state Rep. Dan Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, is encouraging local residents to drop off expired, unwanted or unused prescription medications at local collection sites.

“Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands or aren’t disposed of in an environmentally friendly way,” Didech said. “I want to thank the Buffalo Grove Police Department and Sheriff Idleburg for ensuring local residents in our community are able to properly dispose of medications and prevent them from being misused or abused.”

Didech is encouraging local residents to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day if they have any expired, unwanted or unused prescription medications in their homes. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. Local residents can visit Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg’s website at www.lakecountyil.gov for more information or visit the following local sites between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.:

·         Buffalo Grove Police Department, located at 46 Raupp Blvd in Buffalo Grove

·         Harbor Chase of Long Grove, located at 1190 Old McHenry Rd in Long Grove

“If you have unused and unwanted drugs in your home, this is the perfect opportunity to dispose of them in an environmentally friendly manner.  Tossing unused drugs in the garbage or toilet leads to contamination of nature and our waterways.  All drugs collected during this event will be disposed of properly,” said Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg.

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BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. – State Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, will host his signature “Donuts with Dan” event along with special guest, nominated Illinois Human Rights Commissioner Barbara Barreno-Paschall, on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 12:30 p.m. at the Vernon Area Public Library, located at 300 Olde Half Day Rd. in Lincolnshire.

“With the president continuously attacking immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, religious minorities and the like, it is imperative that local residents know how we can fight back at the state-level,” Didech said. “I want to thank our soon to be human rights commissioner for partnering with me for this event.” 

Residents are invited to join Didech and Barreno-Paschall for a complimentary cup of coffee and pastries, as well as an engaging discussion on the state and local issues important to them. This spring, Didech championed legislation to ensure LGBTQ+ Illinoisans are not barred from serving on juries because of their sexual orientation and supported legislation to ensure all workers, regardless of where they work, are covered by the protections of the Human Rights Act.

“These events are a great way for me to hear directly from the community on the issues that matter most to them,” Didech said. “I encourage everyone to join us for a candid conversation about how we stand up for our shared values of inclusion and tolerance.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Women in Illinois will no longer face biased interview questions that have historically locked them into a lifetime of lower pay as a result of a new pay equity law backed by state Rep. Dan Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, going into effect.

“While Donald Trump and his allies chip away at the progress we’ve made and refuse to acknowledge the priorities of women, we have worked to make Illinois a leader in championing women’s rights,” Didech said. “It is unacceptable that on average women still earn less than their male peers and this new law aims to fix that injustice.”

Didech was a vocal supporter and sponsor of House Bill 834, which aims to close the wage gap between men and women by prohibiting companies from asking a job seeker to disclose their salary history, or attempting to obtain it any other way. Given discrepancies in pay, when prospective employees are asked about their salary history it can indirectly lock them into that salary instead of a more competitive one. With the new Didech-backed law, Illinois joins states like Massachusetts, California, Delaware, and Oregon who have passed similar legislation.

“This is a necessary first step as we work to ensure equal pay for equal work is more than just a slogan,” Didech added. “I remain committed to pushing back against any radical attempt to chip away at our progress and advocating on behalf of policies that advance the priorities of Illinois women and families.”

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In connection with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, state Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, is highlighting legislative efforts to expand access to lifesaving cancer screenings and promoting free screenings through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

“Our country’s health care system overwhelmingly fails to support or center the needs of women. All too often insurance companies find ways to financially penalize and deny access to critical health care services to those in need, especially for women, and that is unacceptable,” Didech said. “This spring, the Legislature began work to right this wrong, as well as make sure that at-risk women have access to free breast cancer screenings and treatment options.”

Didech is encouraging women in need to take advantage of the Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP). The program is operated by IDPH, and provides eligible women free breast exams and mammograms, as well as Pap tests and pelvic exams. Women are eligible for these services if they are an uninsured Illinois resident between the ages of 35 and 64. Additionally, if someone who is enrolled in the IBCCP is diagnosed with cancer through the program’s screenings and tests, they may be eligible to receive treatment benefits. For more information, please visit www.dph.illinois.gov or call the Illinois Women’s Health-Line at 1-888-522-1282.

This spring, Didech supported a bipartisan, balanced budget that provided $14.5 million for these potentially lifesaving services for Illinois women, as well as a new law mandating that insurance companies cover diagnostic mammograms as part of preventative care.

“During the month of October, many people will wear a pink t-shirt or change a Facebook profile picture to increase awareness, but we must do more. These efforts are in vain if we do not hold our elected officials accountable and ensure policies that help women are passed,” Didech said. “The needs of women are not a garnish to be considered on occasion – they should be prioritized within every issue.”

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LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – To address the impact the Clean Energy Jobs Act will have on our state and communities, state Reps. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville, and Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, will host a Clean Energy Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Fremont Public Library, located at 1170 N. Midlothian Road in Mundelein.

“I’m excited that Illinois is leading the way in transitioning to clean, renewable energy and cutting carbon pollution from our state’s power sector,” said Edly-Allen, who is a member of the House Energy and Environment Committee. “Renewable energy is an ecnomy of the future, and we have a unique opportunity to not only take meaningful steps to protecting the environment, but also to create good-paying, long-term jobs in the green energy section. We must continue our efforts to ensure that Illinois is on track for 100% renewable energy by 2050.”

Representatives from Clean Power Lake County, Faith in Place, Sierra Club, and the Illinois Environmental Council will join Edly-Allen and Didech for a town hall meeting focusing on the Clean Energy Jobs Act and other statewide efforts to expand production and use of renewable energy. The town hall meeting is free and open to the public.

“It is important that we continue our efforts to move Illinois toward 100% renewable energy,” said Didech. “I encourage anyone who has questions about the Clean Energy Jobs Act or just wants to learn more about what we’re working on to expand clean energy to join us on October 10^th at the Fremont Library.”  

RSVPs are encouraged but not required and may be submitted at ILENVIRO.org/Mundelein or by contacting Edly-Allen’s full-time constituent office at 224-206-7647 or repedlyallen@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, is fighting to protect access to health care with a new law creating Illinois’ first comprehensive system to rein in prescription drug costs and ensure hospital visits are covered, regardless of whether the diagnosis turns out to be an emergency or not.   

“Access to health care is a basic human right and our health care system is failing to provide that to the middle class,” Didech said. “This reform will ensure the well-being of our local seniors and families by putting in place a comprehensive way to rein in the costs of potentially lifesaving drugs and protect access to care.”

Didech voted to pass House Bill 465, which creates the state’s first comprehensive regulatory framework for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), in an attempt to rein in the rising costs of prescription drugs. The Didech-backed reform also protects consumers entering the emergency room from being denied coverage, regardless of whether their diagnosis turns out to be a non-emergency. Recently, insurance companies like Anthem have rolled out plans in states like Missouri that allow them to deny paying an individual’s emergency room visit if they deem such visit as “non-emergent care.”  

“What insurance companies are doing in Missouri is immoral. They are threatening families with thousands of dollars of debt, if they seek emergency medical services,” Didech said. “This new law makes it very clear to big pharmaceutical and insurance companies that Illinois will not tolerate anti-consumer policies that put profits over people.”

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. – Ensuring local seniors are able to access crucial state services offered by the Secretary of State in a convenient and timesaving manner, state Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, is inviting them to join him and Vernon Township for a Super Mobile DMV event.

“A trip to the local DMV can be quite difficult for local seniors, especially if they need to be accompanied by someone else,” Didech said. “I appreciate Vernon Township’s efforts to make sure seniors in our community have access to crucial resources in an easy and efficient way.”

Local seniors in need of updating their driver’s license address will be able to do so at this event, however, proof of their address change is required. Additionally, while road tests will not be offered at this event, individuals over 65 will be able to receive a free lifetime State ID along with a refresher course on the Rules of the Road. Local seniors who apply for a new permanent driver’s license/ID will receive a temporary, secure paper card, which is valid for 90 days. They can expect to receive their high quality, secure driver’s license/ID via U.S. mail within 15 days.

For more information, please contact Rep. Didech’s full-time constituent service office at 847-478-9909.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Amid increasing reports of vaping-related illnesses and deaths, state Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, is doubling-down on his efforts to take on the tobacco industry and backing a ban on the sale and distribution of flavored tobacco products.

“It is absolutely devastating to see the growing cases of vaping-related illnesses and deaths across the country,” Didech said, “This bill would help us fight the tobacco industry’s shameful marketing of dangerous products to minors.”

Didech is a sponsor of House Bill 3883, the Flavored Tobacco Ban Act, which would prohibit the sale or distribution of all flavored tobacco products, including commonly used with vapes and e-cigarettes. In Addition, the legislation would allow the Department of Public Health to suspend the license of any distributor that violates the ban. While the use of vaping and e-cigarettes has seen an overall increase in recent years on the national scale, there has been a particularly sharp increase among American youth. When someone is hooked on nicotine at a young age, it becomes significantly harder to quit later on in life.

Earlier this year, Didech voted to pass House Bill 345, which prohibits the sale of tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and electronic cigarettes to people under the age of 21. Across the nation, six additional states have followed suit, including California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Oregon, Hawaii, and Maine.

“Tobacco companies know they can prey on young people through their clever advertising tactics and attractive flavor selections,” Didech said. “By supporting this strong measure, we can protect the lives and health of all Illinoisans, especially minors, who could be drawn in by manipulative advertising and tobacco products geared towards children.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A measure introduced by state Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, to limit the overwhelming delinquency penalties placed on mobile home owners was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“Before, it was possible for mobile homeowners to quickly wind up with penalties that were several times what they originally owed in delinquent taxes,” Didech said. “The people most affected by these penalties are often the people who can least afford it.”

Didech introduced House Bill 925, now Public Act 101-0454, which changes the way that Illinois assesses penalties on delinquent mobile home taxes, so that the maximum penalty for late tax payments is $100 or 50% of the original tax bill in Lake and DuPage counties.

The legislation was the result of collaboration between Didech and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim due to concerns that constituents who became delinquent on modest tax bills were facing penalties that were several times higher than the actual bill. Lake County is reported to have the second highest number of mobile homes subject to the mobile homes tax in the state, so Didech hopes the legislation will help provide local families with much-needed relief.

“This new law fixes an unfair situation in our state that was placing a tremendous economic burden on working families,” Didech said. “I want to thank Gov. Pritzker, Treasurer Kim, and everyone else who joined me in taking action to help me address this inequity.”