VILLA PARK, Ill. – Minors who attempt or cause physical harm to themselves or others would be unable to receive approval for a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID) until age 24 under a proposal introduced Friday by state Rep. Deb Conroy, D-Elmhurst.

“The horrific Highland Park parade shooting was carried out by a young individual who had raised red flags with his behavior in recent years and should have never possessed nor had easy access to a weapon of war,” Conroy said. “If you have a clear history of violent behavior and recklessly endangering others, you should not receive easy access to guns just because you turned 18. We have to better consider past incidents, and understand that too many of these individuals do not possess the maturity nor responsibility to handle a weapon.”

Conroy’s House Bill 5766 outlines that minors who attempt or cause physical self-harm or harm to another are subject to denial or revocation of a FOID card. Until age 24, such individuals are presumed to be a person whose mental condition is of such a nature that it poses a clear and present danger. Additionally, the proposal provides that a physician, clinical psychologist, qualified examiner, law enforcement official, school administrator or other person aware of a minor’s violent incident shall report the incident to the Department of Human Services.

The Highland Park shooter, who is 21, reportedly had a history of making threats to his family and had previously tried to take his own life in 2019. The 18-year-old Uvalde shooter similarly had a reported history of making violent threats to others. The 18-year-old Buffalo shooter also reportedly threatened a school shooting last year. All three individuals legally obtained their firearms used in their mass killings.

“Time and again, we are witnessing tragedies carried out by individuals who were outwardly expressing a desire for violence,” Conroy said. “We have to tighten our laws, and this would be a good step forward that more properly accounts for mental maturity.”

VILLA PARK, Ill. – With Friday’s Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, state Rep. Deb Conroy, D-Elmhurst, issued the following statement:

“Make no mistake, today’s decision by an extremist Supreme Court will cost lives. An unelected Supreme Court, composed mostly of men, has stripped away decades of settled law in the greatest attack on women’s rights of our lifetime. Today’s news is shocking and heartbreaking.

“In Illinois, we feared this day could come, which is why I strongly supported efforts that will ensure abortion continues to be safe, legal and accessible despite this terrible decision. This vigilance was critical, and why we need to continue to prioritize efforts to strengthen our laws on this issue.

“Women deserve the right to choose. Period. I will do everything in my power to protect access to reproductive health in Illinois.”

VILLA PARK, Ill. – State Rep. Deb Conroy, D-Villa Park, responded to reports that Roe v. Wade is set to be overturned by the Supreme Court with the following statement:

“I am alarmed by the news that an extremist Supreme Court is seeking to destroy the right for women to make their own personal reproductive health choices. This decision will have a devastating impact on women across our country, and is why we must do everything we can to make sure Illinois does not go backwards. Because I knew this day could come, I supported necessary action that proactively removed dangerous trigger provisions in our state laws that could have made abortion illegal here in our state.

“Moving forward, it’s critically important that we continue to reinforce our protections for reproductive health, and ensure everyone has access to the safe health care they deserve. I remain committed to doing all that I can to protect a woman’s right to choose.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As budget discussions continue and the General Assembly nears adjournment, the chairs for the House Higher Education, Appropriations-Higher Education and Mental Health and Addiction Committees are encouraging their colleagues to support increased funding for college campus mental health services.

“The governor’s proposed budget outlines a 5% increase in higher education operational funding,” Higher Education Chair Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, said. “This is needed funding that universities should take advantage of to reinforce and boost their on-campus mental health offerings. These services help those who are suicidal, facing substance abuse issues, depression and other serious challenges that deserve support and awareness.”

“While there was always a need for stronger mental health services, this pandemic is putting increased strain on all of us,” Mental Health and Addiction Chair Deb Conroy, D-Villa Park, said. “This has been a tumultuous couple of years, with little sense of normalcy on campuses. Three years ago we passed legislation that would provide mental health services to support our students on college campuses. It is critical that we put the financial investment in our budget to fund this legislation to ensure every student can reach their full potential. Let’s make sure students have the resources they deserve to access the support they need.”

“In the past 20 years, the number of college students with clinical depression and suicidal tendencies has tripled, and approximately 1.6 million students sought counseling assistance last year,” Appropriations-Higher Education Chair La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, said. “It is perhaps no wonder that acts of violence on campuses have increased. One-third of all college students have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, a 14% increase in the last decade. Only 25% of college students receive treatment. The pandemic has exacerbated this issue. In fall 2020, 89% of college students experienced stress or anxiety because of COVID-19. Graduation rates are lower for students with mental health conditions, especially Black, Latinx and low income students. Dropout rates are 2.5 times higher. There was a time when there was a stigma around seeking mental health support now students are testifying in Springfield pleading for more mental health support on college campus. We cannot leave Springfield this year without increasing funding for colleges to provide mental health support for Illinois’ students.”

“We want all of our students to succeed, and that starts by creating a healthy environment that includes accessible mental health support,” Higher Education Vice Chair Maurice West, D-Rockford, said. “We need to be mindful of the unique challenges students are currently facing, and our budget should reflect this critical aspect of the academic experience.”

“Campus mental health cannot be overlooked as we put together a budget this year,” Mental Health and Addiction Vice Chair Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, said. “Together, our committees have held hearings that have provided valuable insight on how mental health is handled at our universities. By increasing our investment in higher education operations, we can give our institutions the resources they need to reach more students.”

“Investing in mental health services now will have a beneficial impact for years to come,” Appropriations-Higher Education Vice Chair Nicholas Smith, D-Chicago, said. “The more students we can help deal with their challenges in a professional, healthy way, the better their mental health will likely be down the road. Let’s make sure campus mental health is a priority in this budget.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Deb Conroy, D-Villa Park, issued the following statement upon the General Assembly’s adjournment this week:

“The Spring legislative session was unlike any I have experienced to date. An unprecedented pandemic offered several challenges for myself and my colleagues to overcome. Together, we elected a new Speaker of the House to lead us into the new decade so we can meet the moment that this pandemic has ushered in.

“The 2021 legislative session has been nothing short of historic. Earlier this year, my colleagues in the House united to elect Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch as Speaker of the House for the 102^nd General Assembly. Springfield needs new perspectives from fresh leadership so we can all benefit from new ideas in an honest, open forum. Speaker Welch provides that opportunity for us.

“Our state’s budget for 2021 lives within its means and is reflective of the challenging moment we are in. This budget honestly ensures that essential services are maintained to care for the vulnerable while we properly fund our schools and identify budgetary efficiencies and cost savings measures. My goal is to lessen the tax burden on working Illinoisans as they try their best to rebound from the pandemic.

“This month, I worked hard to pass House Bill 2595 which requires insurers and Medicaid managed care organizations to provide coverage for medically necessary treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. The bill also prohibits insurers from limiting benefits or coverage for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions to short-term or acute treatment at any level of placement.

“Additionally this spring, I passed House Bill 3498, the Telehealth bill. This measure guarantees that health insurance companies shall cover all telehealth services rendered by a health care professional. Any clinically appropriate or medically necessary treatment is now covered by insurers, just like a traditional, in-person visit would be. The pandemic highlighted gaps in healthcare coverage and revealed new ways for people to be consulted by their doctors. This bill helps Illinois adapt to these new practices. 

“I look forward to working in good faith with legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle as we continue to enact meaningful and lasting reforms which are in the collective interest of Illinoisans across the state.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Understanding that large inequities still exist in how health plans cover behavioral health care, state Rep. Deb Conroy, D – Villa Park, passed legislation in the House which makes it more difficult for health insurance companies to avoid covering sick Illinoisans.

“Healthcare coverage should not be limited to just physical wounds and scars,” said Conroy, Chair of the House Mental Health Committee. “Unfortunately, big healthcare companies often choose to avoid covering people with less obvious health needs. We cannot depend on giant corporations to eventually do the right thing. That’s why I’m prioritizing the mental healthcare of Illinoisans and codifying it in law.”

Conroy’s House Bill 2595 requires insurers and Medicaid managed care organizations to provide coverage for medically necessary treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. The bill also prohibits insurers from limiting benefits or coverage for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions to short-term or acute treatment at any level of placement.

“Recognizing the significance and importance of real mental healthcare coverage is more vital now than ever before,” said Conroy. “This measure brings together both political parties to fight against the greed of healthcare companies who would rather find loopholes in the law to save a few dollars than to properly care for Illinoisans who are struggling through these unprecedented times.”

House Bill 2595 passed the House on a bipartisan roll call and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Taking a stand for those encountering substance use disorders, state Rep. Deb Conroy, D – Villa Park, passed sweeping legislation in the House Mental Health Committee last week which expands coverage to critical access to care.

“We cannot afford to stand idly by while the victims of substance use disorders continue to struggle simply because coverage to resources they desperately need is inadequate,” said Conroy, Chair of the House Mental Health Committee. “As an advocate for mental health and those confronting substance use, I’m acutely aware of inequities that exist in our system that do not go far enough to help the most vulnerable. That is why I’m sponsoring a bill which demands more from insurances providers, establishes access to grant dollars, and expands access to prescription drugs.”

Conroy’s House Bill 2589 amends the Substance Use Disorder Act by expanding commercial insurance coverage to addiction treatment medication while also opening the door to grant funds that will enable victims to receive better access to treatment. Conroy’s legislation would help increase distribution of opioid antagonists, expand access to peer recovery specialists, provide housing public health fairs, promote harm reduction activities and provide connections to community partners.

“There are countless victims whose livelihoods would drastically improve if this bill is signed into law,” said Conroy. “It is critically important that we meet this moment in order to continue forging a path forward for those most in need.”