CHICAGO – April 7, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn joined with Senator Jackie Collins (D - Chicago), Senator Kirk W. Dillard (R-Westmont), Representative Barbara Flynn Currie (D - Chicago), Representative Kathy Ryg (D - Vernon Hills) and advocates for children to sign Senate Bill 1013 and Senate Bill 101 which benefit Illinois’ children.

“I am proud to join these legislators here today to help our children by protecting their health and ensuring their bright future,” said Governor Quinn.

Senate Bill 1013, sponsored by Senator Heather Steans (D - Chicago) and Representative Currie, expands the Redeploy Illinois Program which provides critical services for at-risk youth between the ages of 13 and 18. Redeploy Illinois provides funding to counties for local agencies to deliver services such as therapy, substance abuse treatment, life skills education and victim-related services.

With the Governor’s signature, the program will expand from a pilot program to a permanent initiative and allow more counties to be involved.

The Governor also signed Senate Bill 101, sponsored by Senator Crotty and Representative Elizabeth Coulson (R - Glenview), which requires health insurance policies to cover habilitative services for children under 19 years of age with a congenital, genetic or early acquired disorder.

Habilitative services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and other prescribed services to treat disorders like autism and cerebral palsy.