DES PLAINES, Ill. – Continuing his advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, recently backed legislation to make specific no-contact orders permanent, ending the need for survivors to revisit court every two years.

“Survivors of domestic violence should not be forced to relive that trauma again and again, especially in order to keep their family and themselves protected from their perpetrators,” Moylan said. “Domestic and sexual violence are among the most heinous crimes that can be committed, and we should be doing everything in our power to prevent these acts from occurring, but also to provide maximum support and protection to survivors.”

Currently, court issued protective orders can expire after two years which requires survivors to return to court in order to extend the protection order. The Moylan-backed House Bill 734 would allow for no-contact orders to become permanent at the survivor’s request should the defendant be convicted of a sexual offense, protecting sexual and domestic violence survivors from any additional trauma. The measure passed the General Assembly without opposition and awaits Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature.

“The survivors of these abhorrent crimes will carry around the memory and trauma of their experiences for the rest of their lives and should not be faced with the choice of repeatedly reliving that trauma in court every few years or allowing protective orders to expire,” Moylan said. “It is only right that survivors can be permanently protected against their offenders if they feel it is necessary. We cannot allow these criminals to hurt survivors any more than they already have which is why I strongly urge Governor Pritzker to join us in defense of sexual and domestic violence survivors and sign this bill into law as soon as possible.”

For questions concerning House Bill 734, state issues, other legislation or district matters, 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, has been a leader in state government ethics reform and recently spearheaded a bipartisan effort to root out corruption, increase government transparency and keep government officials in check.

“I made ethics reform one of my top priorities because the people of Illinois have had to witness numerous public abuses of power from their elected representatives,” Moylan said. “Elected officials are not in their office to serve themselves. We were elected to help the people of Illinois and we need far stronger laws to hold government officials accountable.”

Moylan has introduced and supported several pieces of ethics reform legislation, including Senate Bill 539 which passed the House and Senate with broad bipartisan support. The proposal would prohibit elected officials from lobbying on behalf of outside parties, tighten the restrictions on former legislators lobbying, widely expand the statements of economic interest of state officials, strengthen the authority of the Legislative Inspector General, heighten the regulation of lobbyists and increase transparency of state government.

“This ethics package we were able to pass is definitely a move in the right direction, but is by no means the end,” Moylan said. “I will continue to pursue more robust regulations of state officials so that we can genuinely serve the residents of Illinois and restore the public faith in our democratic institutions. I am glad we have initiated the process, but there is much more work left to be done.”

For questions concerning Senate Bill 539, state issues, other legislation or district matters, please contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 847-635-6821 or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com.

SPRIGNFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, issued the following statement upon the General Assembly’s adjournment of the spring legislative session this week:  

“As we continue to deal with the short and long-term impacts of the pandemic, the General Assembly was tasked with working together to find bipartisan solutions that create jobs, put residents back to work and get our economy back on track. We passed legislation to make healthcare more accessible, provided emergency housing relief to both renters and landlords, improved energy savings for homeowners and pushed tax credits to small businesses.

“Putting together a budget, it was necessary that we don’t leave anyone behind. It was important to me that we pass a responsible compromise that lived within our means, while protecting essential services for our most vulnerable and investing in our schools.

“Additionally, I’m glad to see that we were responsive to concerns from residents this session. I heard from many people who were outraged at the excessive trailer hike fee from a couple years ago. Together, we were able to come to an agreement and drop the fee to something much more reasonable.

“As we continue to handle the pandemic, challenges remain. I look forward to working with our community to lift up middle class families as come back from this pandemic even stronger.”

DES PLAINES, Ill. – Working to ensure adequate health care coverage for Illinois residents during the COVID-19 crisis, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, has thrown his full support behind legislation which aims to require health insurers in Illinois cover all telehealth services.

“During such an unprecedented public health crisis we have to make sure that Illinois residents can access the critical health care they need while also keeping them and medical workers out of harm’s way,” Moylan said. “Telehealth has been essential throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and we should make sure that Illinois residents can receive the medical attention they need in whichever way they and their doctor determine to be most appropriate.”

Moylan has been an advocate for telehealth services throughout the COVID-19 crisis having promoted virtual care programs and passed Senate Bill 671 in the 101st General Assembly which would have required insurers to cover the cost of telehealth services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Moylan-supported House Bill 3498 would require insurers to cover any clinically appropriate telehealth services, including mental health care, moving forward.

“Medical professionals and their patients are the only ones who should determine the methods in which a patient should receive care, not the health insurance companies or anyone else,” Moylan said. “In the last session the House was able to pass a bill to cover telehealth services for the duration of the pandemic. It is important that we pass this new bill this session because no one should have to compromise on their health care options during a once in a generation public health crisis.”

For questions concerning House Bill 3498, state issues, other legislation or district matters, please contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 847-635-6821 or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com.

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.”