SPRINGFIELD – Student debt is the second leading source of consumer debt in America, just behind mortgage loans. Illinois students across the state would have more options to protect themselves from falling behind on their student debt under a measure championed through the Higher Education Committee by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) on Tuesday.

Under Senator Fine’s legislation, universities would be prohibited from withholding transcripts as a means of debt collection. 

GLENVIEW – Libraries in Evanston, Glenview and Northbrook will be given nearly $100,000 in grants thanks to Secretary of State Jesse White, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced Tuesday.

“Libraries are a vital resource for continued education, growth, community and outreach,” Senator Fine said. “This grant ensures their resources are available to all community members, especially people who are concerned about their safety in these unprecedented times.

The initiative is aimed to respond directly to difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant provides funding for libraries to modify services, transform spaces and develop resources for their local recovering workforce and to ensure all operations can be provided safely and effectively as the pandemic continues.

SPRINGFIELD – Individuals in crisis nationwide will soon be able to utilize a 9-8-8 universal hotline number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which would be funded and maintained in Illinois under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

“A fully functioning and well-funded crisis hotline is critical to prevent suicides nationwide,” Senator Fine said. “Mental health is as important as physical health, and 9-8-8 will soon become a household number that is as easily remembered in times of crisis as 9-1-1.”

Senator Fine’s measure would create the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund in the State Treasury, which would be used by the Department of Human Services to establish and maintain a statewide 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis system.

SPRINGFIELD – Families across Illinois will now have more resources to help support relatives seeking treatment in mental health facilities under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) that took effect in the new year.

“Family members can feel helpless if they aren’t able to receive any updates about the status of a loved one receiving treatment in a mental health facility,” Senator Fine said. “This law will inform families, which will in turn help them create a plan of action to support the individual receiving treatment after discharge.”

CHICAGO – Concerned about the lack of resources for youth residential mental health services, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) led a joint hearing Wednesday with the Senator Behavioral and Mental Health Committee and the House Mental Health and Addiction Committee.

“The resources available for residential and inpatient mental health services for children across Illinois are severely lacking,” Senator Fine said. “This has been a crisis for a long time, but the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have put it in the spotlight.”

GLENVIEW – State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) encourages local businesses struggling from the pandemic to apply for the latest round of the Back to Business grant program before the Oct. 13 deadline.

Overall, the B2B program will provide $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants will range from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations, such as staff and overhead costs.

“Our community is already seeing firsthand how the Back to Business grant program can help keep our small businesses’ doors open,” Senator Fine said. “Any other local businesses seeking assistance must apply for this important funding before the upcoming deadline so the 9^th District can continue to thrive.”

Priority is given to businesses in hard-hit industries, in hard-hit areas, and with revenues less than $5 million, as well as businesses that have not yet received any government assistance. Eligibility guidelines are also available in: Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Hindi, and Arabic.

Twenty businesses in the district Senator Fine represents have already received $1.4 million in grants. They include restaurants, hotels and a salon, demonstrating the diversity of the local small business community and how many different kinds of businesses are eligible for grants.

Learn more about the B2B grant program and start an application on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website . The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 13.

EVANSTON – Children in Evanston will soon benefit from a mentoring program at the Evanston Public Library that has received new funding, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced Thursday.

“Many of us wouldn’t be where we are today without mentors taking the time to invest in us,” Senator Fine said. “This funding to provide mentors for our children is critical to open up doors for future success.”

The Evanston Public Library received $39,528 through the Project Next Generation grant program. PNG is a mentoring program established by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to help middle and high school students develop technological skills, achieve success through project-based learning and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal setting and conflict resolution.

“I am committed to improving the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois,” White said. “I established this innovative program when I first became Secretary of State to give students an opportunity to receive hands-on experience with the latest technological tools at their local library.”

The Secretary of State awarded $530,104 in 2022 PNG grants to 28 public libraries across Illinois. Grants are awarded to public libraries serving culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations.

More information on the grants can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – During her time in public service, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) has worked tirelessly as an environmental advocate, pushing for bold action against climate change. After casting her vote in support of Senate Bill 18, a comprehensive energy policy overhaul that puts Illinois on the path to 100% clean energy, Senator Fine released the following statement:

“As a staunch advocate for environmental policy that protects Illinoisans’ lives and livelihoods, I am proud to support legislation that sets Illinois on a path to a cleaner, carbon-free future by transitioning to clean electricity generation by 2050, protecting our planet and our children for decades to come.