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.
Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs promotes ‘Operation Rising Spirit’
VILLA PARK – During the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois’ veterans are unable to meet with friends and family members since visiting restrictions are in place at state veterans’ homes to curb exposure to the virus.
To brighten the days of the state’s veterans population the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs launched a campaign to raise the spirits of military veterans and the staff who care for them, and Tom Cullerton, the Chairperson of the Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee, is urging residents to participate.
“Our veterans have put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and this is one small way for us to raise their spirits and show them we still appreciate the sacrifices they made to keep our great nation safe,” State Senator Tom Cullerton said. “I encourage DuPage County residents and our students looking for ways to help the community to take just a little time to send uplifting messages to our heroes.”
Families, friends, students, veteran service organizations, and other community members from across the state are encouraged to participate in Operation Rising Spirit. Cards, emails, signs and video messages can be sent directly to the homes at the addresses below:
Illinois Veterans' Home at Anna
792 N. Main St., Anna, IL 62906
C/O: Anthony Barnett
Illinois Veterans' Home at LaSalle
1015 O'Conor Ave., LaSalle, IL 61301
C/O: Susan Scully
Illinois Veterans' Home at Manteno
1 Veterans Dr., Manteno, IL 60950
C/O: Dave Pedersen
Illinois Veterans' Home at Quincy
1707 N. 12th St., Quincy, IL 62301
C/O: Sara Colgrove
Prince Home at Manteno
1 Veterans Dr., Manteno, IL 60950
C/O Wali Lewis
More information is available on the IDVA website.
VILLA PARK— State Senator Tom Cullerton is urging residents to take advantage of the two new testing sites located within DuPage County in Wheaton and Willowbrook. The new Wheaton drive-through COVID-19 testing site will open at the DuPage County Complex, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, starting on Tuesday, June 16. All residents of DuPage County can be tested, and no appointment, doctor referral, or insurance is needed.
“Testing is key to combating and ending the spread of COVID-19 throughout our communities,” Cullerton said. “I hope with early detection residents will be able to receive timely health guidance and help reduce the spread of this awful pandemic.”
The DuPage County COVID-19 testing site, which will be accessible through the County Campus’ main entrance off County Farm Road, will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until 400 tests are completed each day. The COVID-19 test is free. To ensure the safety of workers on site, the test will be done while residents are sitting in their vehicle. Vehicles must have a functioning window. No motorcycles will be allowed to enter the site due to safety concerns.
In addition, DuPage County is supporting a testing site in Willowbrook, which will double the number of individuals who are able to be tested and receive a physical health check. Beginning this week, and continuing until August, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, testing will be available through Pillars Community Health with drive-up testing at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School, 16W631 91st St, Willowbrook. Residents do not need to be an existing to Pillars Community Health patient or enrolled at Anne Jeans School to be tested.
Testing is available to anyone with symptoms of COVID-19; anyone with a known exposure to COVID-19 (such as those who have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19); or asymptomatic people who are high-risk patients, first responders, health care workers, or essential workers and wish to be tested.
Limited tests are available and appointments are required for this testing site. To schedule the appointment, please call 708-PILLARS (708-745-5277) and follow the prompts. Appointments will be scheduled in the following time slots: Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to .1 p.m. Insurance will be billed; if you do not have insurance, please call Pillars Community Health at 708-PILLARS (708-745-5277) to discuss financial options.
"I encourage anyone experiencing symptoms to please get tested and help save lives,” Cullerton said. “We all must continue to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19."
To learn more, Cullerton urges residents to visit the DuPage County COVID-19 Dashboard at www.dupagehealth.org/covid19data.
SPRINGFIELD – To battle increasing suicide rates, State Senator Tom Cullerton advanced a measure to ensure suicide prevention information is readily available to college students.
Cullerton (D-Villa Park) advanced Senate Bill 2495, which requires state public universities and community colleges to publish numbers for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and the Crisis Text Line on the back of each student identification card.
“Improving access to mental health resources is a simple step state universities and community colleges can take to save lives,” Cullerton said. “Students are constantly required to use their student ID card to access sporting events, dorm rooms or utilize their meal plan. Ensuring these lifesaving helplines are easily accessible can be the difference between life and death.”
Read more: Tom Cullerton: Accessible suicide hotlines could save lives
VILLA PARK – Illinois residents will soon have a clearer picture of the state’s finances thanks to State Senator Tom Cullerton.
Signed into law today, Cullerton’s legislation, House Bill 313 requires the Illinois Comptroller’s website to display the amounts and dates of expenditures by state agencies to vendors, the salaries of each state employee and graphical data whenever possible.
“Illinois taxpayers have a right to know how their money is spent,” Cullerton said. “While this online database provides residents with an excellent resource, this legislation will expand the scope of the website to create an even clearer picture of the state’s finances.”
The website currently shows all of the state financial records and reports, with the same up-to-date numbers and information that are used by the Comptroller’s office in carrying out its Constitutional duties, including employee salaries. Cullerton urges Illinois residents to visit https://illinoiscomptroller.gov/financial-data/state-expenditures/employee-salary-database/ to inspect state revenues, expenses, contracts and salaries.
Read more: Tom Cullerton measure to give taxpayers clear picture of state’s finances now law
VILLA PARK – Towns across DuPage County can now spend hotel tax dollars on items other than tourism, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Tom Cullerton.
Cullerton (D-Villa Park) started working on passing this initiative four or five years ago, that would allow non-home rule towns to direct vital dollars on the needs of residents. Senate Bill 1217, will allow for up to 25 percent of hotel tax revenue to be used on economic development or infrastructure improvements. It was signed into law on Friday.
“This new law will give flexibility to towns and villages across DuPage County to direct dollars toward vital repairs, expanding public transportation and fixing annoying potholes,” Cullerton said. “Solid roadways help community put its best face forward for visitors while improving conditions for residents. No one wants to drive through towns full of potholes.”
Under previous law, towns within DuPage County were required to use 100 percent of all hotel revenues toward promoting tourism. Now up to 25 percent of those dollars can be used to address local needs.
“I would like to thank Senator Tom Cullerton and Representative Diane Pappas for fighting for Itasca,” said Jeff Pruyn, Mayor of Itasca. “As a former mayor, Senator Cullerton understands that villages and towns across DuPage County have pressing needs. This law will allow us to direct vital dollars toward key infrastructure and economic development projects that will help ensure local residents’ needs are met.”
VILLA PARK – To protect construction workers and discourage unsafe driving as construction season returns in Illinois, a new law by State Senator Tom Cullerton signed today increases the maximum penalty for hitting a construction worker to $25,000 from the current $10,000 fine.
“We are seeing an epidemic of distracted driving, and the people who work in our roadways are paying the price,” Cullerton said. “As construction season progresses, it is crucial that we take every necessary step to deter drivers from taking their eyes off the road.”
Cullerton championed Senate Bill 1496 in response to an accident in which Bartlett resident Frank Caputo was struck and killed while working on the Tri-State Tollway near O'Hare International Airport.
Caputo was working as a nighttime flagger in a construction zone near Rosemont in September 2018, when a car drove into the closed lanes and fatally injured him.
Read more: Tom Cullerton measure to raise penalties for construction zone car accidents now law
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