SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Gary Forby (D–Benton) this week was recognized by the Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI) as a “champion of senior care.” Forby was presented with the award in recognition of his continued commitment to fighting for seniors in Southern Illinois.

“I am honored that the HCCI would recognize my efforts to look out for and protect seniors in my area,” Senator Forby said. “Throughout my time in Springfield, I have worked hard to protect seniors and ensure they have access to quality health care.”

Last year, Senator Forby sponsored sweeping reforms to the Illinois nursing home industry in an effort to improve the quality of care and ensure patients’ safety in community and home-based settings.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Gary Forby (D–Benton) today helped pass legislation out of the Senate that creates a trapping season for river otters to help reduce the increasing growth of these animals in Illinois.

Senate Bill 1337 allows for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to establish and set a timeline for a trapping season for river otters between November 1 and March 31 during any given year. The bill also limits Illinois trappers to 5 river otters per season and caps the registration and tagging fees at $5 per otter.

“River otters can cause major problems for farmers,” Senator Forby, a co-sponsor of the measure, said. “They can completely ruin a fish population if they get into a lake or pond. This isn’t just a problem in my district; it’s beginning to affect the entire state.”

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Gary Forby (D–Benton) and State Representative Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) are working to acquire federal assistance funding for Southern Illinois counties affected by major flooding over the past two weeks.

“In order to request a federal disaster declaration, officials need to be able to accurately assess the damage so residents and businesses can get fully reimbursed,” Senator Forby said. “Unfortunately, some areas are still so flooded right now that they can’t be assessed yet. It’s a process, but we’re doing everything we can to speed it up.”

After a disaster occurs, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) must conduct preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other officials to determine the amount of damage for local businesses, private property and public infrastructure.

However, the ability to gather this information can be delayed due to the severity of the disaster. In this case, Forby says, flood waters in many areas haven’t receded enough to allow for a preliminary damage assessment.

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