NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman is recognizing and thanking the Illinois National Guard for its determination and service to Illinoisans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a member of the General Assembly and an Illinoisan, I cannot thank our troops enough for their hard work and dedication to this state,” Ellman said. “These young women and men have risked their lives day in and day out to ensure we all stay safe and healthy.”

Illinois’ mobile testing operation will be expanded to twelve COVID-19 mobile testing sites, operated by the National Guard. The sites will offer mobile testing to residents in the hardest hit communities and will visit other areas in need of more testing, like homeless services centers and nursing homes. The sites offer drive-through and walk-up tests free of charge to any Illinoisans who wants to be tested.

“Over the past few months, these troops have ensured that thousands of Illinoisans have been able to receive COVID-19 tests,” Ellman said. “Illinois has some of the best testing numbers and positivity rates in the nation. I have no doubt that this was made possible by the assistance of the National Guard.”

Testing has played a critical role in allowing for the safe reopening of the Illinois economy. Illinois has been persistently investing in accessible testing for all Illinoisans, which will allow communities across the state to stay on a course of recovery.

The governor’s announcement about the state’s mobile testing site expansion can be found here.

Individuals can find a nearby testing location visiting https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/testing-sites.

NAPERVILLE – To support more young people entering the field of education, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is announcing that two local high schools are set to receive an Education Career Pathways Grants from the Illinois State Board of Education.

“Educators play some of the most import roles in our society. They prepare our children for the future,” Ellman said. “That’s why these grants are so important. They will help future educators develop the skills they need to be as effective as possible.”

DuPage Area Occupational Education System has been awarded nearly $250,000 that will be split between seven schools, including Wheaton North High School and Wheaton Warrenville South High School to help with developing Career and Technical Education programs to prepare students for careers in education.

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.

“Students are successful when their teachers are successful,” Ellman said. “It’s time that we start investing in them.”

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 across the state. For a full list of grant recipients or to learn more about career and college readiness programs in Illinois, visit www.ISBE.net/CTE.

NAPERVILLE – The federal government has extended the application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is encouraging local business owners to apply for the PPP and other forgivable loans through the Small Business Administration.

“Businesses of all sizes, in particular small local businesses, are facing unprecedented financial hardships,” Ellman said. “Many business owners are worried about what’s to come and if it will affect their ability to provide for their families. The Paycheck Protection Program helps give owners the ability to reestablish a level of stability.”

To help provide financial support to businesses, the Federal Treasury Department and the U.S. Small Business Administration extended the application period for the Paycheck Protection Program. Businesses can get up to $10 million in relief funding through the first come, first served program. Under the extended deadline, businesses must apply by Aug. 8.

The financial lifeline helps employers keep people on the payroll and pay overhead expenses. If used as intended, the loans don’t have to be repaid.

More than 27,000 Illinois businesses have already taken advantage of the loans – saving an estimated 1.36 million jobs – according to the Small Business Administration.

PPP loans have an interest rate of 1% and can be fully forgiven if they are used for payroll costs, rent, utilities or interest on mortgages.

To find participating lenders, business owners and managers can visit the Small Business Administration’s website, found here.

NAPERVILLE — As the state continues to suffer from a financial crisis spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) will serve on a bipartisan, bicameral commission to monitor discretionary spending by the governor’s office and local governments related to the new state budget and federal relief funding.

“Illinois is in the midst of a fiscal crisis that we can’t ignore, which creates obstacles in our state budget,” Ellman said. “I’m pleased to work with my colleagues to ensure we’re doing what’s best for all Illinoisans. We’ll continue to work diligently to ensure we’re not stuck in these financially diminishing times forever.”

Ellman was appointed to the Legislative Budget Oversight Commission by Senate President Don Harmon Monday. Local governments will report the status and distribution of federal CARES money and any other federal financial relief related to the COVID-19 pandemic to the commission. The commission will relay the information to the governor and General Assembly.

Beginning Aug. 15, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget will submit monthly reports to the commission to report budget management actions taken by its office, the governor’s office and all state agencies. Additionally, on a quarterly basis, the governor will give a report to the commission orally that includes budget management actions, year-to-date revenues as compared to anticipated revenues, and year-to-date expenditures as compared to the Fiscal Year 2021 budget.

The 22-member body is made up of Democratic and Republican legislators from both chambers of the General Assembly. Members of the commission will serve without compensation.

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is reminding residents across Illinois that state income tax returns and payments are due July 15, the same deadline established by the Internal Revenue Service for federal income taxes.

“If you have not already, I’m urging residents to file their 2019 income taxes as quickly as possible,” Ellman said. “There’s only a month left before the deadline.”

Gov. JB Pritzker extended the tax filing season three months from the normal due date of April 15 to help Illinois taxpayers experiencing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This pandemic is still responsible for a lot of families’ financial hardships,” Ellman said. “I encourage every taxpayer to utilize all potential returns or deductions to help improve their financial situations.”

As part of a revised revenue estimate released in April, the Governor’s Office of Budget and Management projected the extension would defer approximately $1 billion in general fund revenue to Fiscal Year 2021.
 
Ellman would like to remind residents that according to the IDOR, the fastest, most secure way to receive a refund is to file a tax return electronically and request direct deposit into a checking or savings account. Taxpayers may file and pay their IL-1040 for free through MyTax Illinois. Taxpayers who have already filed a return can check their status at www.MyTax.Illinois.Gov.
 
For the most up-to-date information, forms, schedules, and instructions for the 2019 tax year, please visit IDOR’s website at: tax.illinois.gov.

NAPERVILLE – With Illinois still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is encouraging residents to make use of two new testing sites in DuPage County starting next Tuesday, June 16. All residents of DuPage County can be tested, and no appointment, doctor referral, or insurance is needed.

“I’m pleased that DuPage County residents will soon have access to not one, but two new testing sites,” Ellman said. “I can’t stress the importance of mass testing enough. Each test that’s administered is another step closer to the eventual eradication of this virus, and a return to normal life.”

A drive-through COVID-19 testing site will open at the DuPage County Complex on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. The site will be accessible through the County Campus’ main entrance off County Farm Road Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until 400 tests are completed each day. The COVID-19 test will be free. All residents of DuPage County can be tested, and no appointment, doctor referral, or insurance is needed.

To ensure the safety of testing personnel, the test will be done while you are sitting in your vehicle. You must be sitting at a functioning window and cannot exit your vehicle while at the test site. No motorcycles will be allowed to enter.

In addition, DuPage County is supporting a testing site in Willowbrook. 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 in Willowbrook.

Testing at the Willowbrook site will be available to anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, or anyone with a known exposure to COVID-19, high-risk patients, first responders, health care workers or essential workers who wish to be tested. Limited tests are available and an appointment is required for this site.

To schedule the appointment, please call (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) 745-5277 to discuss options.

To learn more, visit the DuPage County COVID-19 Dashboard: www.dupagehealth.org/covid19data.

SPRINGFIELD - Following the signing of the Illinois FY 2021 budget, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) highlighted the preservation of education and local government funding and efforts to address financial challenges presented by COVID-19.

Ellman emphasized that with this budget, the state is committed to maintaining and making full pension payments, as well as holding the line for P-12 and higher education funding.

“We have a responsibly to hold up our end of the bargain and continue to maintain the state’s pension payments and education funding,” Ellman said. “Now, more than ever, it is absolutely imperative that we provide confidence for our students and educators in these uncertain times.”

Ellman also highlighted a provision in the budget that expanded the eligibility of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program through June 2021. LIHEAP is a program to assist low-income households struggling with paying their utility bills. 

“This pandemic has effected all of us, even more so for the financial security of those who are already having trouble paying their bills,” Ellman said. “Expanding the eligibility for this program was a necessary step to ensure that those who are already struggling don’t fall through the cracks.”

In addition, this year’s budget provides an increase to the Local Government Distributive Fund. The fund provides local governments with a share of the state’s income tax revenue and will help them make up for budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The law takes effect July 1, 2020.

NAPERVILLE — A measure that was signed into law last week will help survivors of sexual assault be able to receive medical forensic exams, also known as rape kits, at federally qualified health centers, in addition to hospitals during the COVID-19 crisis. State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is a strong supporter of the new law, which she voted for in May.

“Seeking help after a sexual assault is already difficult. Now that hospitals are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be that much harder,” Ellman said. “Nobody should be forced to make the decision between potentially contracting COVID-19 and seeking justice.”

Senate Bill 557 allows approved federally qualified health centers to perform rape kit examinations and collection during public health emergencies like COVID-19. 

“The reality is, this pandemic hasn’t stopped sexual assault in Illinois,” Ellman said. “It’s critical that survivors have access to medical forensic exams somewhere other than hospitals.”

This measure took effect last Friday.