GARFIELD PARK – On Halloween night, a tragic drive-by shooting in Garfield Park injured 14 people, including three children, in addition to a woman who was hit by the driver while trying to escape the shooting. In response, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:
“I mourn with my community after yet another senseless shooting. It pains me that on Halloween night, a group of peaceful individuals could not even hold a vigil for their late loved one without fearing for their own safety.
“We cannot continue to live in a state of perpetual fear. It is extremely disheartening and exhausting to see shooting after shooting. We are fighting for the soul of our city. How heartless must you be to shoot a child? To shoot up a vigil?
“I remain committed to ending the gun violence epidemic. I am meeting with local officials to see what support we can provide to the community so that we can reduce the chances of this tragic situation from happening again.”
NAPERVILLE – State Senators Laura Ellman and Suzy Glowiak Hilton announced Thursday the Health Equity Response Team (HEART) of the DuPage County Health Department has been awarded the ARISE grant to implement health equity strategies.
Activating Relationships in Illinois for Systemic Equity (ARISE) is a joint initiative of the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Center for Minority Health Services and The Center for Rural Health, in collaboration with Well-Being and Equity (WE) in the World.
“The COVID-19 pandemic increased health disparities and inequalities in our most vulnerable communities,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “It is important that community organizations such as the Health Equity and Response Team within DuPage County Public Health are empowered in their efforts to close the gap.”
Read more: Ellman, Glowiak Hilton announce health equity improvement grant coming to DuPage County.
CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham encourages Chicago residents to show appreciation to emergency personnel this Friday, Oct. 28 to celebrate First Responders Day.
“First responders put their lives on the line to protect us,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This Friday, and every day, these courageous individuals deserve our appreciation.”
This day specifically thanks 911 dispatchers, as well as firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics for their commitment to Illinois public safety.
Read more: Cunningham gives thanks to Illinois first responders
CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva is encouraging homeowners who struggled with paying their mortgage due to the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of an upcoming mortgage assistance program that will open applications on Tuesday, Nov. 1.
“This program will allow Illinois homeowners the opportunity to financially recover from the impact the pandemic has left on them,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Homeowners should not have to struggle to make mortgage payments due to a global pandemic that shut down the world and immensely impacted the economy. Providing a solution to this financial hardship is a means of getting families back to a financially stable and secure position."
The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund, administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, will provide up to $30,000 in mortgage assistance to eligible homeowners — paid directly to the servicer, taxing body or other approved entity — while homeowners work to regain their financial footing. Whether homeowners have a mortgage, a reverse mortgage, or are mortgage-free, the program can fund past due housing payments and up to three months of prospective mortgage payments.
Read more: Villanueva highlights mortgage assistance for homeowners
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