Quinn pushes bill to expand health insurance pool

CHICAGO — Gov. Pat Quinn wants Illinois lawmakers to pass legislation so the state can start implementing federal health care reform.

The Chicago Democrat said it would let Illinois collect about $200 million in federal money to expand a high-risk insurance pool for people unable to buy coverage elsewhere. It also would make premiums cheaper for new people in the pool.

If lawmakers approve the proposed legislation Quinn announced Tuesday, it could go into effect July 1.

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is calling Quinn’s proposal “premature.”

It says four different federal agencies still have to write rules for implementing the federal health care overhaul, so Illinois should wait until that work is done.