Senators push to restore vehicle emissions testing sites in Chicago

CHICAGO – During a press conference Wednesday, State Senators Sara Feigenholtz and Robert Martwick outlined their plan to restore vehicle emissions testing sites in Chicago that was signed into law last week.

“The basic service of getting your vehicle’s emissions checked must be more accessible,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “People shouldn’t have to spend hours in the car to travel outside the city to get to an emissions testing site.”

Senate Bill 1234 requires the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to submit a report to the General Assembly by Oct. 1 on its plan to open additional emissions testing sites. It must outline potential locations of the testing stations within Chicago, information on possible programs implemented in other states, and a projected date for full operation of the restored sites.

“People are driving an hour to get to testing centers that are overextended due to the influx of visitors,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “We now have a plan to address the shortage of testing facilities, and this new law helps us do just that.”

Read more: Senators push to restore vehicle emissions testing sites in Chicago

Bennett highlights farmer mental health initiatives during mental health month

URBANA – In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, State Senator Scott Bennett is reminding farmers and ranchers experiencing stress to take advantage of the Farm Family Resource Initiative hotline.

“It’s important for farmers to break the stigma of internalizing their stress and understand they can ask for help,” said State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “The FFRI program has already proven its success over the past couple years and has given farmers the opportunity to talk about their struggles to avoid negative consequences.”

Read more: Bennett highlights farmer mental health initiatives during mental health month

Turner congratulates Judge Lisa Holder White on her appointment to the Illinois Supreme Court

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) released the following statement on the appointment of Judge Lisa Holder White to the Illinois Supreme Court:

“I wanted to take time to congratulate Judge Lisa Holder White on her appointment to our state’s highest court. She is the first Black woman to ever serve on the Illinois Supreme Court, and I commend her on her years of hard work and commitment to equal justice under the law which led her to this momentous occasion.”

Read more: Turner congratulates Judge Lisa Holder White on her appointment to the Illinois Supreme Court

Villa-backed measure brings more than $4 million in relief funds to local businesses

WEST CHICAGO – Eighty-one businesses across the 25^th District have received a total of $4,145,000 through the Back to Business program thanks to support from State Senator Karina Villa and the General Assembly.

“Our small businesses fought through the darkest days of the pandemic, and now they’re looking to rebuild and move forward,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “I am pleased to see them receive this well-deserved support as they begin to do so.”

The $4,145,000 was awarded to 81 local businesses. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

Read more: Villa-backed measure brings more than $4 million in relief funds to local businesses