VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is reminding DuPage County residents to take advantage of free college planning resources during College Changes Everything Month.

October is College Changes Everything Month, a time to encourage Illinoisans to take full advantage of the free financial aid and postsecondary planning resources available in their communities.

“Many families across DuPage County are facing financial hardship during this awful pandemic,” Cullerton said. “This is a quick reminder to let parents, guardians and students know there is need-based financial assistance available to prevent students from placing their postsecondary plans on hold due to financial limitations.”

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is offering free, virtual workshops to help parents, guardians and students complete the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.

The next two webinars are on Monday, Oct. 26 and Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m.

ISAC requires participants to register for workshops. For more information, Cullerton urges residents to visit https://studentportal.isac.org to learn more about resources, tools and programs to ensure qualified students take advantage of college savings programs.

The agency also offers individualized help by offering one-on-one assistance via phone, email, text or videoconference with ISACorps, ISAC’s group of recent college graduates whose intensive training prepares them to assist students with planning, applying and paying for college. Residents can search by ZIP code at http://studentportal.isac.org/isacorps to find your local Corps members.

For assistance via text and to receive important information about college planning events and deadlines, students can sign up for ISAC College Q&A by texting their first and last name to (630) 216-4910.

“Every student deserves the chance to pursue higher education,” Cullerton said. “Our goal is to open doors for students and help ensure they are graduating college with mountains of opportunities, not burdensome college debt.”

For more information, residents can visit www.isac.org or call Cullerton’s office at (630) 903-6662 for assistance.

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) wants to make sure DuPage County are aware that expiration dates for Illinois driver’s licenses and IDs have been extended until Feb. 1, 2021. All expired driver’s licenses and IDs will remain valid until then.

“Extending these important deadlines will provide relief to many and help reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Cullerton said. “We all must work together to keep our communities healthy. This smart step will help prevent long lines and overcrowding at our local driver services offices.”

The secretary of state’s office has repeatedly pushed back the deadline to renew expiring licenses since the pandemic began. The newly extended deadline will also cover driver’s licenses and ID cards set to expire in October, November, December and January.

Older adults age 75 and over have also had their driver’s license expiration dates extended by one year. The new expiration date is the motorist’s birthday in 2021.

However, expiring license plate stickers will not be valid past the current Nov. 1 deadline, as they can easily be renewed online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com. Other common services, such as requesting a replacement or duplicate driver’s license or ID, are also available on the website.

“The secretary of state’s office as worked diligently to allow residents to renew and request services online,” Cullerton said.  “This is a smart move to help reduce long lines and cut down on overcrowding at our local offices for residents who have no choice but to go in.”

Illinois residents who must visit a driver services facility should be aware that they will be required to wear masks. They may also have to wait outside for an extended period of time to maintain social distancing and should take the weather into account when planning a visit.

For more information, visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

VILLA PARK – The Illinois Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for seasonal snow-and-ice removal positions, and State Senator Tom Cullerton is urging qualified DuPage County residents to apply.

“We rely on our snowplow drivers to keep our roads safe during the winter season,” Cullerton said. “This is a great opportunity for those struggling to find employment during this awful pandemic.”

Through the department’s annual “snowbird” program, temporary snowplow drivers are hired every year on a full-time and on-call basis. To be considered, applicants must have a commercial driver’s license. A pre-employment physical, vision test, and drug and alcohol screening are also required.

Applicants will be selected based on availability, job-related experience and qualifications. Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

For additional information, including positions and the application process in specific districts, details on pay and the potential for benefits, please click here.

VILLA PARK — To prevent unnecessary danger to seniors in Illinois, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is alerting drivers age 75 and older that their driver’s license expiration dates have been extended by one year.

“The one-year extension for our seniors will help delay a visit to the DMV during this awful pandemic,” Cullerton said. “This move will help at-risk DuPage County residents keep their driving privileges and proof of identity without putting their health and safety at risk.”  

In addition to being 75 years of age or older, the driver must have a valid driver's license. Those seniors whose licenses have been suspended or revoked do not qualify for the one-year extension. Eligible drivers should soon receive a letter from the secretary of state as proof that they qualify.

For drivers under age 75, expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and license plate stickers have been extended until Nov. 1, 2020. Customers who choose to visit a facility must wear a face mask. In addition, customers are asked to be patient due to heavy volume and to be prepared to wait outside in various types of weather.

“There is not an immediate need for this vulnerable population to put themselves at risk,” Cullerton said. “I urge our older populations to take advantage of this extension and stay safe."

Cullerton continues to encourage drivers to visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com to avoid waiting in line and take advantage of online services, including replacements and renewals of registrations, driver’s licenses and ID cards.

VILLA PARK – To provide support to DuPage County business owners encountering economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) announced 27 small businesses will receive nearly $500,000 through the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.

“This program will help our small businesses keep their doors open and employees and customers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cullerton said. “I am thrilled to see so many local businesses receive much-needed assistance to stay afloat and continue to support our communities.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded a total of $46 million to 2,655 small businesses in the first round of BIG funding. The BIG program offers grants to Illinois restaurants and bars, barbershops and salons, and fitness centers that have suffered pandemic-related losses, with a focus on businesses in the hardest-hit areas of the state.

First round grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 and may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent and utilities. The funds may also be used to cover pandemic-related expenses, such as personal protective equipment, training and new technology.

Cullerton has worked tirelessly to cut red tape, increase assistance programs and ease regulations for small businesses across the state. He pledges to continue to support policies that keep the 23^rd State Senate District safe, schools well-funded and property taxes low.

“Our local businesses are the backbone of our state,” Cullerton said. “We must continue to give them the resources to be successful as they work toward reopening and keeping our communities safe.”

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the COVID-19 economic downturn. The full list of grant recipients is available here.

For more information, Cullerton urges residents to visit his website at www.SenatorTomCullerton.com or call his office at (630) 903-6662.

VILLA PARK — To support the reopening of local child care providers after months of financial distress, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is urging providers to apply for Child Care Restoration Grants.

“I know residents like to send their children to facilities that are clean and adhering to safety guidelines during this pandemic,” Cullerton said. “As workers head back to work they should have the assurance that their children are safe and happy. This grant will allow child care services to reopen while giving them the support to keep children safe.”

The Illinois Department of Human Services is distributing $270 million in available funding to assist child care providers across the state with reopening in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Licensed child care providers that meet the eligibility criteria may apply for Child Care Restoration Grants. 

“Child care facilities serve as an essential support to help parents and caregivers enter and stay in the workforce,” Cullerton said. “It is our duty to ensure local child care providers will be able to weather the economic hardship of this pandemic so residents can safely go back to work as the state’s economy gets back on track.”

To be eligible for the grant, child care providers must: 

• Have a current license from the Department of Children and Family Services to care for children,
• Be open and caring for children at the time of application,
• Be able to demonstrate a “business interruption” from their pre-COVID capacity, and
• Submit a complete application with all required documents.

Applications are open from now until Aug. 14. To learn more and apply, child care providers should visit www.inccrra.org/. 

VILLA PARK – To encourage more qualified people to enter the education field, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is excited to announce seven DuPage County schools will receive Education Career Pathways Grants from the Illinois State Board of Education.

“Our teachers train the future leaders of our great state,” Cullerton said. “This grant will help DuPage County schools recruit qualified and passionate teachers to guide and educate our children.”

The DuPage Area Occupational Education System #090 has been awarded $248,997, which will be distributed to seven high schools in DuPage County to assist these schools in developing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to prepare students for careers in education. Among this group Addison Trail High School, Willowbrook High School and Lake Park High School are set to receive this assistance.  

CTE programs help students develop technical and employability skills while strengthening their core academic abilities to enable them to pursue higher education opportunities and succeed in the workforce. Students in CTE programs also have the opportunity to earn dual credit or credentials and certifications from partner institutions prior to high school graduation.

The programs will place a special focus on recruiting underrepresented students into education careers to help meet the high demand for teachers of color across Illinois.

“Schools with educators from diverse backgrounds support students’ cultural identities and enrich the learning atmosphere for all children,” Cullerton said. “We must continue to implement programs that encourage diversity and inclusion at every stage of our students' lives.”

Nearly $2 million in total funding has been awarded to 11 Education for Employment Systems statewide to recruit and support future educators at 62 high schools and vocational centers. For a full list of grant recipients or to learn more about career and college readiness programs in Illinois, visit www.ISBE.net/CTE.

VILLA PARK – To recognize older adults who have contributed to communities through service, education, the workforce or the arts, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-VILLA PARK) urges residents to nominate a senior they know for the Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame.

“There are special individuals throughout our district who continue to serve our communities in different ways,” Cullerton said. “Take some time to nominate an older family member, friend or neighbor who goes out of their way to make our neighborhoods a better place.”

The Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame celebrates outstanding accomplishments by seniors in community service, education, the labor force and the arts. Each year, four candidates—one from each category—are inducted.

Eligibility is based on an individual’s past and present accomplishments, and the candidate must be a current Illinois citizen or a former citizen for most of their life. Posthumous nominees are also considered.

Since its creation in 1994, 121 people have been inducted into the Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame.

“We have heroes across DuPage County who continue to serve and help make our communities a better place. They deserve to be recognized for their selfless acts,” Cullerton said.

The Illinois Dept. on Aging has extended the submission deadline through Monday, Aug. 31. Nominations may be submitted online or by calling the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966.