Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign), along with State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson (D-Champaign), co-chaired a special hearing Wednesday about college affordability. Several members of both the Senate and House higher education committees heard testimony by officials and students from universities and community colleges from around the state who braved a snowy day in Springfield.

Democratic incumbent Mike Frerichs won the state senate seat for the 52nd District and defeated Republican opponent John Bambenek on Tuesday.

Democratic state Sen. Mike Frerichs says he will reintroduce similar legislation that stalled in the House last year.

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability took two steps today — one, to permit Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to operate a self-insurance plan and move ahead with the bids it had previously awarded to HealthLink and Coventry Health Care, formerly PersonalCare, for open-access plans.

COGFA also voted to issue supplemental requests for proposals for fully insured HMO group health plans, according to Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign,

Frerichs, a COGFA member, said there's no guarantee Health Alliance will be awarded the bid, but "I think they will be very competitive."

“We know Enterprise Zones have been creating jobs across Illinois for 30 years,” said Senator Frerichs. “A program this proven and successful deserves this kind of comprehensive approach, rather than piecemeal renewals. I look forward to hearing from business and community officials throughout the state on how we can keep this great program going and improve it for the future.”