http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-capitol-fire-oberweis-20171024-story.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL-  (Monique Garcia, Chicago Tribune.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.

State lawmakers returning to the Capitol for the start of a veto session were briefly turned away after a small fire broke out in a Senate office Tuesday morning.

Springfield Fire Marshal Chris Richmond said his department was called around 11 a.m. after a steam heating unit caught fire in an office used by Sen. Jim Oberweis, a Republican from Sugar Grove.

Calling it a “quirky mechanical failure,” Richmond said damage was minimal and contained to the heating unit and surrounding woodwork.

After people were allowed back into the building, senators in nearby suites could be seen propping open doors in an attempt to air out their offices.

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/rauner-announces-bid-for-second-term/article_c3daab2e-b809-11e7-9760-1bb64f32fd14.html

SPRINGFIELD-  (Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Gov. Bruce Rauner announced in a new campaign ad released Monday morning that he is running again.

Narrating the two-minute online video, Rauner said he’s accomplished a lot for education and criminal justice, but there’s still big things that remain unfinished.

“Illinois still needs property tax relief, real term limits and a budget that won’t bankrupt or break us,” Rauner said.

He also said he will work to reverse the recent $5 billion income tax increase that lawmakers imposed on the state when they overrode his veto.

Free help available via Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

Springfield, IL – The Illinois Department on Aging’s (IDoA) Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is reminding seniors of the free counseling assistance available to Medicare-eligible individuals and their caregivers during Medicare Open Enrollment occurring October 15th through December 7th.

With over 300 SHIP offices across Illinois, the agency stands ready to refer clients to their closest site, which can schedule an appointment to assist them with open enrollment. Take advantage of the caring, expert counselors ready to help you make sense of the complicated Medicare system to make the best choices for your healthcare. “We’d urge seniors to make an appointment at their earliest convenience, because as during every open enrollment season, we anticipate it’ll be very busy with people seeking help,” said Sandy Leith, the SHIP program’s director.

During open enrollment, eligible adults can adjust Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage, move from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan – or vice versa – switch between Medicare Advantage plans, join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, or switch or drop existing drug plans; all of it can be overwhelming and confusing.

SHIP counselors work through the Medicare.gov system to help seniors and people with disabilities make the best choices for their individual situation. Contact SHIP, by calling 1-800-252-8966, weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information about SHIP, including a list of SHIP locations, visit the website, at: http://www.illinois.gov/aging/ship/Pages/default.aspx.

To compare 2018 drug and health plans on your own and to find out more about Medicare options, including preventive services now covered, visit the federal website, at: www.medicare.gov. or call Medicare, at: 1-800-633-4227. Medicare phone lines are open 24/7.

SHIP is not affiliated with any insurance company, and counselors do not sell or solicit any type of insurance. SHIP counselors in the field ensure that seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare understand all of the options available to them, and which choices can save them money. Counselors educate and answer questions about all Medicare plans and options.