Gov. pushes to help families with autistic children

He was joined by families and other lawmakers at Navy Pier Sunday to announce an amendatory veto to a bill that has gotten caught in political gridlock in Springfield. The governor has rewritten the bill so that insurance companies will have to cover up to $36,000 per year for treatment like speech and occupational therapies for children with autism, therapies that not everyone can afford.

"Because I've gone out-of-pocket almost $80,000, my daughter can speak. Every kid should have access to this, not just the privileged," said Peter Dicianni, father of a child with autism.

"We know therapy can help them get the skills they need as they grow up to be young adult and then become adults," the governor said.

The rewritten bill is expected to go before the House of Representatives this week.