Decent Health Care for Everyone

Public Act 98-104

"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman."

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Health care is an essential safeguard of human life and dignity, and there is an obligation for society to ensure that every person be able to realize this right."

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin

View The Portrait

On July 22, 2013, Gov. Quinn signed legislation (Public Act 98-104) that made Illinois eligible for the benefits of President Barack Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The legislation dramatically expanded healthcare coverage to hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans and also brought $12 billion of federal funding to the state.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Enacting Largest Increase in Health Care Coverage in State History.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Launching Get Covered Illinois' Second Open Enrollment Period.

In August, 2001, Pat Quinn walked across Illinois with his doctor Quentin Young on behalf of decent healthcare for everybody. The walk began on the Centennial Bridge over the Mississippi River in Rock Island and ended 167 miles later at the statue of Abraham Lincoln near Lake Michigan in Chicago.

On August 31, 2011, Gov. Quinn announced the investment of $30.5 million from Illinois Jobs Now! to build and renovate 14 community health centers throughout Illinois.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Launching Get Covered Illinois' Second Open Enrollment Period.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Announcing Investment in Health Center in Decatur.

On August 21, 2010, Gov. Quinn signed legislation to ensure high-quality emergency medical transportation for Illinoisans who are critically ill.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Signing Legislation to Improve Emergency Medical Care in Illinois.

On June 5, 2014, Gov. Quinn signed legislation ensuring students in all Illinois high schools have CPR and AED training.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Signing Legislation Ensuring Students in all Illinois High Schools Have CPR and AED Training.

On, August 15, 2011, and July 30, 2014, Gov. Quinn signed legislation to increase access to epi-pens for children with severe allergies.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Signing Bill to Expand Emergency Access to Life-Saving Allergy Medicine for Children.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Signing Legislation to Expand Life-Saving Measures in Illinois Schools.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Signing Legislation to Expand Life-Saving Measures in Illinois Schools.

On July 17, 2012, Gov. Quinn signed legislation to raise awareness of diabetes.

On August 1, 2013, Gov. Quinn signed the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act to help ease pain for people across Illinois who suffer from debilitating medical conditions.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Signing Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Signing Legislation to Help Ease Pain for Adults and Children with Seizures .

On July 29, 2010, Gov. Quinn signed comprehensive legislation to provide higher nursing home quality and staffing requirements, raise penalties for violations, and increase inspections and monitoring.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Signing Historic Legislation to Reform Long-Term Care in Illinois.

On August 18, 2014, Gov. Quinn signed legislation to improve procedures for reporting and resolving problems with individuals in nursing homes or community settings.

View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Signing Laws to Protect Vulnerable Adults and Seniors.

On October 19, 2011, Gov. Quinn launched a website that makes important information regarding Illinois' physicians available to the public.