WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – To ensure families have the proper resources necessary to live, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is highlighting the Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG).

“For families struggling to make ends meet, these community assistance programs are necessary to ensure every resident has the resources necessary to live a healthy life,” said Hirschauer. “Many families struggled financially prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID has only made the situation worse. These funds are a lifeline for many families.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity just announced $327 million in new funding for LIHEAP and CSBG. LIHEAP and CSBG offers financial assistance for vulnerable residents to use on rent, utilities, food and other household expenses. To qualify for LIHEAP, households must demonstrate they meet the expanded income requirements of 200% of the poverty level, regardless of immigration status.  Recommended documents for application include Social Security Number, or I-TIN, or other identification and proof of income. Applicants need to supply their utility bill for LIHEAP and lease for rental assistance. The remote application for LIHEAP and CSBG is available now on helpillinoisfamilies.com. To help eliminate any barriers to the application process, the State also provides a hotline service with multilingual assistance in over 30 languages. Residents may visit their local CAA in-person or call the hotline at 1-833-711-0374.

“This program is essential for helping our neighbors in need,” continued Hirschauer. “I highly recommend sharing this information with anyone it could help. As a state, we are focused on supporting all families.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To ensure residents have affordable and accessible healthcare available, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, sponsored a new law that provides certain types of hormonal contraception over the counter.

“According to the Center for Disease Control, 65% of women ages 18 to 49 use some type of birth control on a daily basis,” said Hirschauer. “With birth control being so widely used and comprehensive sexual education being taught in schools to educate students about the safety and effectiveness of birth control, anyone who chooses to use hormonal contraception should be able to receive it with ease.” 

House Bill 135, sponsored by Hirschauer, will allow certain types of hormonal contraceptives to be available for patients over the counter from pharmacists. Interested residents will have to complete a self-screening risk assessment, based upon CDC guidelines, to determine if a patient is eligible for over-the-counter contraception or must see a doctor for further analysis. Once eligible, residents will be able to receive a 12-month prescription of birth control and will also receive information on all birth control options, even ones not available over the counter. The bill was recently passed through both legislative chambers and signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.  

“A person may not be able to go to a doctor due to work, school or personal reasons; sometimes, a person may not even be able to afford a doctor’s appointment but may still need a contraceptive,” continued Hirschauer. “Under new law, people who need birth control can receive it with ease and can have control over their own health.”

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