February 4, 2008

As we approach “Tsunami Tuesday,” IMCHC is excited and encouraged to hear that every Presidential candidate has addressed health care reform in recent debates and speeches.

Locally, IMCHC will be working with other health care advocates across the state to ensure that health care reform is a priority for Illinois state legislators. Stay tuned for future newsletters and action alerts that will have more information on how you can help make guaranteed, affordable, high-quality health care for all a reality in Illinois!

Illinois’ primary election day is part of the Tsunami Tuesday enthusiasm. If you didn’t already participate in the early voting process, be sure you get out and VOTE on Tuesday, February 5th! For more information, visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

ICSHC Fundraiser a Success!

Thank you to everyone who braved the snow and cold weather to attend the Illinois Coalition for School Health Center’s fundraiser at J. Patrick’s on January 17th. Over 70 people attended and helped raise over $3,000 that will help cover expenses related to our annual advocacy day event.

Attendees also voted for the winners of the Students’ Key to Success Contest. First place went to Orr School Health Center, second place was Little Village Lawndale Health Center and third place was Proviso East High School Center. Congratulations to our winners and all of the participants!

Welcome to new staff member

Eric Quamme has joined the staff of IMCHC as the Regional Coordinator for the Consumer Voices for Coverage project, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Eric will be responsible for organizing the 5th, 9th and 10th Congressional Districts to create grassroots support for health care reform in Illinois.

Eric has several years of experience with labor and environmental organizing in both Illinois and Kansas. He has a passion for social change and will be a great addition to the IMCHC family. Eric can be reached by email or at 312-491-8161x25. Welcome, Eric!

New Advocacy Program for IMCHC

IMCHC recently purchased rights to use CapWiz, an online advocacy tool that offers our members and partners an easier way to find their elected officials and send them an email message about important legislation or policies.

Please take a few minutes to update or create your profile on our e-advocacy site. This will enable us to have the correct information to connect you with your local, state and Congressional representatives.

Public Act 095-0159 went into effect on January 1, 2008, which requires that Illinois children under two years who are entering child care/day care systems to be vaccinated with the recommended and age-appropriate pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The recommended schedule includes three doses given at age two, four and six months with a follow-up fourth dose at 12-15 months. Visit the Illinois General Assembly’s website for the full text of the original bill.  

Donate your used cell phones and printer cartridges to raise money for IMCHC!

IMCHC is accepting used cell phones, ink jet and laser printer cartridges for recycling to support our newest fundraising effort. Drop off your old cell phones and empty printer cartridges to our 1256 W. Chicago Avenue office or pass them along to an IMCHC staff member at a meeting. We can also supply posters if you are interested in organizing an office or church collection effort.

For more information about this fundraising initiative, contact Lilah Handler.

Support Federal Authorization for SHCs

The School-Based Health Center Establishment Act (HR4230) was introduced in Congress in November 2007. Similar to S600, it would establish the first federal grant program for school health centers. Illinois Congressman Jan Schakowsky has signed on as an original co-sponsor of the bill, and Congressman Rahm Emanuel signed on in December, but additional House support is necessary.

Contact your local Congressman and encourage them to sign on. For more information about HR4230 or to contact your Congressman, visit the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care’s website or contact Blair Harvey, ICSHC Project Director.

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Congress Unable to Override Second Presidential Veto of SCHIP

The US House of Representatives was unable to override the second of President Bush’s vetoes of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in a January 23rd vote. The final vote tally was 260-152, which was 15 votes short of the two-thirds majority required for an override. SCHIP supporters in Congress have said that they are committed to passing legislation that will expand SCHIP to additional children.

Be sure to update your information in IMCHC’s new e-advocacy program to stay on top of any new updates with SCHIP.  

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation

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ICSHC Chicago Area Meeting
February 22nd from 8am – 12pm
Proviso East High School
807 South First Avenue in Maywood
RSVP to Megan Erskine

IMCHC Chicago Area General Membership Meeting
February 27th from 1pm-3pm
Metropolitan Family Services
1 N. Dearborn, 10th Floor in Chicago
RSVP to Lilah Hander

South Central Illinois Perinatal Advisory Committee
April 25th from 9am-noon*
Carle Foundation in Urbana
RSVP to Lilah Handler
*IMCHC's Central Illinois Chapter meeting will take place from 11am – 12pm

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Illinois Coalition for School Health Center’s Advocacy Day
April 9th in Springfield
Contact: Megan Erskine, ICSHC Project Associate

“Collaboration, Community, Commitment”
Illinois School Health Center Statewide Conference
May 15th and 16th in Springfield
Contact: Blair Harvey, ICSHC Project Director

IMCHC Annual Meeting – 20th Anniversary Kickoff
June 10th at Maggiano’s Little Italy, Chicago
Contact: Lilah Handler, IMCHC Office Manager

IMCHC 20th Anniversary Benefit
September 10th at the Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago
If you are interested in sponsorship or host committee opportunities, please contact Lilah Handler.

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