Dominick's and Clear Channel Radio join forces to help pre-register children for Gov. Blagojevich's All Kids health care plan

CHICAGO - WGCI morning radio personality Nikki Woods and Jamell Meeks, First Lady of Salem Baptist Church and Dominick's will join state officials Saturday in the first of a series of special pre-enrollment events for Governor Rod R. Blagojevich's All Kids program.  Gov. Blagojevich signed the ALL KIDS Bill in November, making it possible for the more than 253,000 children in Illinois without health insurance to receive coverage and for parents to select a pediatrician to provide their health care.

 

"ALL KIDS" goes into effect July 1, so the next challenge is making sure that each and every family trying to get by without coverage for their kids knows about ALL KIDS and enrolls their children in the program," said Gov. Blagojevich. "That's why we're so pleased to have partners like Dominick's and Clear Channel stepping up to help us get the word out to as many families as possible."

 

As part of the ALL KIDS outreach efforts, community events are scheduled in Chicago on three Saturdays in February and one in March from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dominick's Finer Foods and Clear Channel have agreed to partner with the state to promote ALL KIDS enrollment, with Dominick's hosting events at their stores, and Clear Channel providing on-air publicity and a live remote broadcast.

 

"Governor Blagojevich's All Kids Healthcare Program is a tremendous resource and creates healthier families in our community," said Angela T. Ingram, Vice President, Communications of Clear Channel Chicago.

 

Nikki Woods, who can be heard weekday mornings from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. during the Crazy Howard McGee morning show on WGCI 107.5 FM., will broadcast live at these events   A former fifth grade teacher, she is also an active volunteer with many social service groups.   

 

Jamell Meeks, First Lady of Salem Baptist Church will serve as celebrity chef and demonstrate how to make her signature macaroni and cheese.

 

Featured restaurant C'est Ci Bon! of Hyde Park will serve collard green egg rolls made with Cajun chicken with a fusion of sweet and sour sauce.   

 

The four events will have WGCI's Nikki Woods broadcasting live joined by celebrity chefs, including the Honorable Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court, and community activist Eddie Read, and featured restaurants such as the Parrot Cage of the South Shore Cultural Center and Sharks at 122 West 79^th Street.  

 

Dominick's food stores will promote the events throughout the stores and provide customers with ALL KIDS pre-registration information.  

 

"Dominick's is committed to children and families and we are happy to partner with Gov. Blagojevich to provide this important ALL KIDS information to the community" said Wynona Redmond, Director of Public Affairs at Dominick's.

 

Dominick's/ Clear Channel ALL KIDS Events in Chicago

 

February 11     1340 S. Canal St.

February 18     3240 Roosevelt St.

February 25     2101 E. 71^st St.

March 4           122 W. 79^th St. 

 

ALL KIDS representatives will be on hand to provide information on the ALL KIDS health care plan and help families fill out pre-enrollment applications.

 

Once a pre-registration form is received, the Department of Health and Family Services will process the information and mail parents a letter to explain the next steps in the application process.  When it is time for the family to apply, the department will mail each family an All Kids application that will be partially filled out based on the information provided during pre-registration.  Children who are determined to be eligible for KidCare can apply immediately to receive health coverage.  Families not currently eligible for KidCare may apply early in 2006 for benefits that will begin July 1, 2006.  Pre-registration forms should be filled out and mailed to All Kids, P.O. Box 19122, Springfield, IL 62794-9805 or they will be collected at pre-registration sites across the state over the next few months.

 

Of the roughly 250,000 children in Illinois without health insurance, many come from working and middle class families who earn too much to qualify for programs like KidCare, but not enough to afford private health insurance.  The Governor's program will make comprehensive health insurance available to children, including doctor's visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, vision care, dental care and medical devices like eye glasses and asthma inhalers.

 

Parents will pay affordable monthly premiums based on income and co-payments for doctors' visits and prescription drugs at affordable rates.

 

More information about All Kids is available online at www.allkidscovered.com.