Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) and Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) hosted a town hall and workshop on Wednesday to review the process for applying for capital and agency funding and discuss the possibility of a future capital development bill in Illinois.

Over 30 local community agencies ranging from health, social service, the arts and afterschool programs gathered at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture for the event.

“We wanted to make sure we expanded what people knew about the capital bill, that it goes into infrastructure, it goes into brick and mortar stuff, and how we’re going to be creative in making sure that we’re getting equitable dollars in our districts,” Aquino said.

Speakers included Becky Locker, Director of Policy and Budget for the Illinois Senate Democrats, Jen Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council, Colleen Smith, Legislative Director for Illinois Environmental Council and Representative Luis Arroyo.

New Lilly Diabetes Solution Center and Helpline now up and running

CHICAGO – State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) encourages those struggling to afford insulin to contact the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center and Helpline by dialing (833) 808-1234.

“Access to life-saving medicine, like insulin, should be a right and not based on a person’s ability to afford it,” Aquino said. “I commend Lilly Diabetes for providing a resource that will help the many people struggling to control their diabetes because they simply can’t afford it.”

The new solution center and helpline is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Callers are greeted by staff who will review each individual’s personal circumstances and work to identify low-cost options for insulin products.

El nuevo Lilly Diabetes Solution Center and Helpline ya están disponibles

CHICAGO – El Senador Estatal Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) motiva a quienes tienen dificultad para cubrir el costo de su insulina que llamen al centro de soluciones y línea de ayuda de Lilly Diabetes marcando al (833) 808-1234.

“El acceso a medicina para salvar vidas, como la insulina, debe ser un derecho y no basado en la capacidad de una persona para pagarlo”, dijo Aquino. “Encomiendo a Lilly Diabetes por proporcionar un recurso que ayudara a muchas personas batallando para controlar su diabetes simplemente porque no lo pueden costear.”

El nuevo centro de soluciones y línea de ayuda están disponible de lunes a viernes entre las 8 a.m. y las 7 p.m. Las llamadas son recibidas por trabajadores que revisan las circunstancias personales de cada individuo y trabajan para encontrar opciones de bajo costo para productos de insulina.

CHICAGO – State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) issued the following statement after a video of a woman being harassed by a white man for wearing a Puerto Rican flag shirt as an officer for the Cook County Forest Preserves stood just steps away:

“It’s unacceptable that an officer would sit idly as a woman is verbally attacked for displaying her Puerto Rican heritage on her shirt. There is no room for this type of racist behavior at our forest preserves, and there is especially no place for women or minorities to feel unsafe with an officer present.”

“As a person of Puerto Rican heritage, I am especially offended and disappointed by the lack of support the woman received. My hope is that both the officer and her harasser face the proper consequences for their actions.”