DES PLAINES, Ill. – Spotting the great work done on the new Centennial Park in Des Plaines, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, has presented local park district employees involved in its creation with certificates of recognition.

“The Des Plaines Park District is always working on projects and improving our neighborhoods so children have a safe place to exercise and enjoy the outdoors,” said Moylan. “These parks give children the opportunity to get out of the house and provide a safe recreational area for them to meet with friends and discover the community around them.”

The Des Plaines Park District recently opened Centennial Park, which is located by Oakwood Ave. and Center St. The Park District is still looking to add more open space to the park, which was a vacant property less than a year ago. Located in a residential neighborhood, the park will allow children easy access without having to cross busier main streets.

DES PLAINES, Ill. – In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, is highlighting his recent support for life-saving breast cancer screenings for women, as well as the Illinois Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP) which provides free screenings to Illinois women who lack access to health care coverage.   

“Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent dangers women face in the United States,” said Moylan. “It is important that at risk women have access to free breast cancer screenings and treatment. Catching the cancer early can really save lives.”

Moylan is encouraging women in need to take advantage of the Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Program. The program is operated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (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 would be able 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.

On average, breast cancer affects about one in every eight women in the United States. That is why earlier this spring Moylan fought to support reforms to balance the budget while making sure to fund lifesaving breast cancer screenings for at-risk women.

“It is our responsibility to advocate for our community’s health while in Springfield, whether it is providing access to life-saving screenings or giving women in need the opportunity to be proactive with their own health,” said Moylan. “We worked hard this past spring to make sure we passed a balanced budget that included safeguards like the IBCCP to protect women and families.”

DES PLAINES, Ill. – State Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, has sponsored a measure to prohibit Ethylene Oxide Sterilization (EtO) in Illinois in response to increased concern about the health risks facilities dealing with the chemical have on local families.

“The gas Ethylene Oxide (EtO) has proven to be dangerous to our communities, with an obvious increase in people being diagnosed with cancer and health difficulties in the areas surrounding facilities using EtO,” said Moylan. “This dangerous chemical ends up in our air and water and ends up poisoning nearby communities.”

Earlier this year, EtO user Sterigenics was forced to stop production at a facility in Willowbrook because of a failure to meet specific environmental standards. Recent studies suggested that proximity to EtO increases an individual’s chances of being diagnosed with cancer, and local  scrutiny from neighborhood groups eventually led to pressure to close the facility.

Steringenics is only one out of 26 companies in Illinois that use EtO. Most of the other facilities are in Lake County, and Moylan has expressed concern that the poisonous chemical could leak into the Des Plaines River and run south through Des Plaines in his district. As a result, Moylan has sponsored House Bill 3888 to ban the use of EtO in Illinois facilities.

“We need to protect our environment from dangerous chemicals like EtO,” said Moylan. “Particularly in residential areas where families are being raised, we need to be vigilant and remove dangers.”

DES PLAINES, Ill. – State Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, will be hosting a Women’s Supply Drive throughout the month of October to collect women’s hygiene products to benefit local domestic violence shelters.  

“The WINGS Program Inc. and The Harbour both do great work for our community, and I want to help address the needs of the women they serve in their Women and Family Centers,” said Moylan. “My Women’s Supply Drive will help provide necessary items like tampons, pads and panty liners that these women man not have immediate access to.”

Moylan’s office will be collecting new, unopened boxes of feminine hygiene products including tampons, pads, panty liners and feminine wipes beginning Tuesday, Oct. 1 through the end of the month. Items can be dropped off at Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 24 South Des Plaines River Rd. in Des Plaines.

“As a community, we are fortunate to have so many great organizations to provide critical services to individuals who need help,” said Moylan. “I encourage any residents who would like to help to stop by my office and donate.”

For more information about the Women’s Supply Drive, or any questions or concerns, please contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 847-635-6821 or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com.

DES PLAINES, Ill. – In an effort to protect breast cancer screenings for women, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, sponsored legislation to guarantee that insurance fully covers a second breast cancer screening if needed following an initial screening.

“Breast cancer screenings are vitally important to the health and well-being of women all over Illinois,” said Moylan. “The screenings could help save lives, and insurance should cover breast cancer screenings whether they’re preventative or something more serious.”

Currently under the law, regularly scheduled mammograms for screenings are considered “preventative” and are full-covered by insurance. However, once a finding of cancer or other condition is found, a follow-up mammogram is no longer considered preventative and therefore is no longer fully-covered with no cost to the patient. The Moylan-backed legislation would reform the current law and mandate that insurance also cover follow-up mammograms at no extra cost to the patient. 

Senate Bill 162 was an initiative of the Susan G. Komen Foundation along with the Illinois Public Health Association. Moylan worked with colleagues across the aisle in both the House and the Senate to get Senate Bill 162 to pass unanimously. The Moylan-sponsored legislation was signed into law late last month.

“This was a no-brainer. I believe its common-sense that women shouldn’t have to carry the cost of such live-saving screenings,” said Moylan. “I would like to thank the governor for taking this issue seriously and for signing the bill into law to protect vital breast cancer screenings for Illinois residents.”

DES PLAINES, Ill. – In recognition for his efforts to curb gun violence in our community, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, has recently been appointed to the newly created bipartisan House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force.

“I’m excited to have been appointed to this task force and am ready to find commonsense solutions to keep our communities safe,” said Moylan. “There have been too many shootings and it’s about time we put together a task force willing to work together against the growing problems.”

The House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force was created last Friday and will be asked to review the issue of gun violence and make recommendations designed to reduce violence in Illinois. The bipartisan task force will include 10 Democratic House members and 10 Republican House members.

Moylan has been a strong advocate over the years for common-sense gun safety reforms. He has been a vocal leader against automatic and assault rifles being sold, manufactured and distributed in Illinois and introduced legislation to ban bump-stocks and trigger cranks. This past spring, Moylan sponsored the “Fix the FOID” Act to require mandatory finger printing for all FOID applications and renewals and require universal background checks for all firearm transfers.

“Across the country, people are calling for action from community leaders, to stop these mass shootings and address the problems that lead to such tragedies,” said Moylan. “I believe we have a group of dedicated public leaders on this task force who are willing to put in the work and find commonsense solutions to keep residents safe.”

DES PLAINES, Ill. – Alarmed at reports of linking vaping to breathing issues and deaths, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, has sponsored legislation to ban flavored tobacco products, such as vapes and e-cigarettes, from being sold, bought and distributed in the state of Illinois.

“As we are seeing now, these flavored tobacco products are becoming a huge problem among our children and young adults,” said Moylan. “All this vaping is proving to be real dangerous and these tobacco and vape companies are targeting kids with all the different candy-like flavors they offer.”

So far, at least six people have died from vaping-related lung complications, the first being reported in Illinois. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have also recently reported that as many as 450 cases of serious lung disease have been linked to e-cigarette use, or vaping.  

In response, Moylan has sponsored an initiative to ban all flavored tobacco products in Illinois. House Bill 3883, which was filed late last week, will ban all sales and distribution of flavored tobacco products such as vapes and e-cigarettes. 

“We need to think about the children, and how we need to protect them from falling victim to big tobacco’s sales tactics,” said Moylan. “Too many innocent young individuals are dying or becoming sick due to these dangerous smoking products, we must protect and save our kids.”

For more information about House Bill 3883, or any questions or concerns relating this issue, please contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 847-635-6821 or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com.

DES PLAINES, Ill. – State Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, will host a free women’s self-defense seminar this Thursday. Sept. 12, at the Lattof YMCA, located at 300 E. Northwest Highway in Des Plaines from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

“It is important to bring resources into the district and give individuals appropriate training to be able to better protect themselves and stay safe,” Moylan said. “The free seminar is open to the public and will be an educational session as professionals will demonstrate different scenarios and ways to respond to threats.”

Self-defense skills will be taught by a trained law enforcement officer from the Illinois State Police. The seminar will be interactive, and will provide introductory techniques on how to protect oneself from assailants and respond to threats. Women interested in participating can contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 847-635-6821 or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com to RSVP.

Who: State Rep. Marty Moylan, Illinois State Police Department

 

What: Women’s Self-Defense Seminar

 

When: Thursday, Sept. 12

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

 

Where: Lattof YMCA

300 E. Northwest Highway, Des Plaines 60016

DES PLAINES, Ill. – State Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, will host a free women’s self-defense seminar next Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Lattof YMCA, located at 300 E. Highway in Des Plaines from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

“This seminar will be an educational session as professionals will go through many different scenarios and will demonstrate different ways to respond to threats,” Moylan said. “It is important that we give individuals the training needed to be able to better protect themselves and stay safe.”

Self-defense skills will be taught by a trained law enforcement officer from the Illinois State Police. The seminar will be interactive, and will provide introductory techniques on how to protect oneself from assailants. Women interested in participating can contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 847-635-6821 or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com to RSVP.

“If any women are interested in proven strategies to defend themselves and stay out of harm’s way, please feel free to attend the seminar next week,” Moylan said. “The event is free and open to the public.”

DES PLAINES, Ill. – Continuing his efforts to combat human trafficking in the state of Illinois, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, sponsored a measure to require hotels and motels to train employees on human trafficking recognition and ways to alert authorities.

“We must do everything we can to protect survivors of human trafficking,” said Moylan. “We must continue to be proactive and come up with creative solutions that will help us track down offenders and protect the survivors.”

The Moylan-backed House Bill 3101 creates the Lodging Establishment Human Trafficking Recognition Training Act, which requires lodging establishments to provide employees human trafficking training every two years, including within the first six months after starting employment. This measure also directs the Department of Human Services to develop a human trafficking training recognition program, which shall be used by a lodging establishment that does not administer its own human trafficking recognition program. This legislation was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker late last week.

“Human trafficking tragically destroys lives each and every day,” said Moylan. “This isn’t something that just happens in other countries or in movies, it happens here in our communities as well. We have to take every step possible to prevent it and deliver justice for survivors.”