ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – To address the growing student debt crisis, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) introduced legislation that would provide a loan repayment option for public school social workers that could cover up to $6,500 of a student’s debt.

“The student debt crisis is crushing our school social workers,” Gillespie said. “These careers typically require high educational requirements, with compensation that is less than adequate.”

The legislation would require the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to consider up to $6,500 in loan repayment assistance to borrowers with loans related to a degree in social work. Recipients must be employed at a public elementary or secondary school in Illinois for at least one year. Gillespie’s proposal also grants priority to applicants who are members of underrepresented communities in the social work field.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are over 1.6 million student borrowers in Illinois with a collective $60 billion in student debt.

The legislation, Senate Bill 662, awaits consideration in the Senate Higher Education Committee.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – To address disparities in health outcomes further highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation out of the Illinois Senate that would foster greater coordination and bolster services offered by hospitals in underserved communities.

“The only way to get us through this pandemic is to improve health outcomes in the communities most affected by the virus,” Gillespie said. “Transforming our health system to increase access and make quality care affordable will alleviate the generations-long disparities we see today.”

SPRINGFIELD – To end the abuse of seclusion rooms in public schools, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed a measure in the Illinois Senate that would ban the use of prone restraint.

“With students beginning to return to physical classrooms, our children should not fear that their basic dignity will be stripped away,” Gillespie said. “I remain committed to ending the inhumane practice of prone restraint and the abuse of seclusion rooms.”

Previously filed under Senate Bill 2315, the legislation now moves under House Bill 2263. Current law allows school staff to isolate a student if they pose a danger to themselves or others. However, a Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois investigation revealed that isolation rooms are often used as a punishment for refusing to do classwork, swearing and other behavior that does not pose a threat to safety.

ISBE issued rules to only allow timeouts with a trained adult in the room, an unlocked door and “only for therapeutic reasons or protecting the safety of students and staff.” These emergency rules, however, will expire 150 days after implemented.

House Bill 2263 passed the Illinois Senate and awaits consideration in the Illinois House.

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing that essential employees and first-responders face increased risk of COVID-19 infections, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) voted to extend a set of emergency provisions designed to streamline worker’s compensation.

“This pandemic has shown just how vulnerable working people are if they get sick on the job,” Gillespie said. “Essential workers and first-responders deserve a safety net, so they and their families are protected from the economic fallout of catching COVID-19.”

Under normal circumstances, employees are responsible for proving their injuries or illness stem from the workplace to qualify for worker’s compensation benefits. Because first-responders and essential workers face increased exposure to the COVID-19 virus, state lawmakers changed the law in May to assume an essential worker who contracts the virus did so in the workplace and qualifies for benefits. An employer must now prove the infection happened outside work and the workers doesn’t deserve coverage.

If signed into law, the extension runs through June 30, 2021. House Bill 4276 passed in the Illinois Senate without opposition and awaits consideration in the Illinois House.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) is collecting holiday cards for residents at Clearbrook and Little City community living centers.

“Help us bring some holiday cheer to those who are separated from their families during the pandemic,” Gillespie said. “Each card will go a long way in brightening our neighbors’ holiday season.”

Cards are being collected at a drop box inside the main lobby of 171 W. Wing St., Arlington Heights through Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. Participants are asked to address cards so they may be gifted to any of the residents at either facility.

Cards will be delivered to residents in time for the upcoming holidays.

WHO:  State Senator Ann Gillespie

WHAT: Holiday Card Drive

WHEN: Through Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020

WHERE: 171 W. Wing St., #202, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – To help young people facing student debt achieve home ownership, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) is encouraging prospective homebuyers to apply for the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s (IHDA) SmartBuy mortgage assistance program.

“Young people have an opportunity to consolidate their student loan debt with a fixed rate mortgage,” Gillespie said. “At a time when home ownership is increasingly difficult to achieve, especially for those just starting out, this is a platform for success.”

IHDA launched the SmartBuy program Dec. 1, 2020. The program offers a safe, affordable 30-year fixed rate first mortgage with $5,000 in assistance to be used toward a down payment and/or closing costs. The SmartBuy program will also provide 15% (up to $40,000) in student loan debt assistance to borrowers.

Borrowers must have at least $1,000 in student loan debt to qualify and must pay off their remaining student loan balance at closing. Income and purchase price requirements also apply. SmartBuy is funded though the Rebuild Illinois capital plan and is expected to help 500-1,000 borrowers.

Learn more about SmartBuy and find a list of participating lenders at www.ihdamortgage.org/smartbuy.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) announced today that Little City, a group home provider for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, will receive part of a $866,000 Capital Improvement Grant.

“This investment will bolster the vital support network the residents at Little City rely on,” Gillespie said. “Funding these programs will help Little City residents on a path toward independence and strengthen our community.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week this week, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) is celebrating and encouraging those interested to find out more about how to secure an apprenticeship.

“Apprenticeships are crucial in the development of new and young professionals,” Gillespie said. “They provide individuals with work place experiences, which then prepares them to become a productive member of the work force.”