DOLTON – The COVID-19 testing facility in Markham will be moved to South Suburban College in South Holland, State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Dolton) announced Friday.

“It’s imperative that we keep testing available for the communities of the South Suburbs,” Harris said. “I am happy these COVID-19 testing services will continue be available and accessible to the residents who need it the most.”

The final day of testing at the Markham Community Based Testing Site will be May 30, and the South Suburban College site in South Holland and will start testing patients June 1. Testing at the South Suburban College testing site will also be free.

Vehicle emissions testing will resume at the Markham location June 1.

All individuals with symptoms, as well as front line workers and those with compromised immune systems or other chronic medical conditions, are encouraged to seek testing at the South Suburban College testing site, located at 15800 State St. in South Holland. Testing services will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or until daily supplies last.

DOLTON – To help students who are seeking post-secondary education, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) is encouraging high school graduates to apply for the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Scholarship. 

“Many of our student’s families are not able to pay for college,” Harris said. “College is costly, so students should take advantage of this scholarship, especially since many have extra time on their hands right now.” 

The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Scholarship has been a catalyst for many low-income students who would not be able to afford certain expenses upon arriving at the higher learning facility. 

DOLTON – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) is pleased to learn the Illinois Department of Public Health has updated its guidance on allowing dental providers to resume routine oral and dental care beginning this week.

“Being on a Stay At Home Order for nearly two months may have resulted in many people needing oral care,” Harris said. “IDPH allowing dentist’s office to reopen for routine care is a step forward and shows understanding that oral treatment is an essential service.”  

IDPH says to yield good procedural outcomes, oral health providers should consider their patient's health care needs, assess the risks and benefits of any procedures, and appropriately screen patients for COVID-19. Patients will need to be symptom free and have their temperature taken. Dentists will need to address their use of masks, face guards, and suction devices.

“Dental offices will have to follow health guidelines by providing their employees with PPE,” Harris said. “It’s important necessary precautions are taken into account for the patient and employee before dental offices reopen their doors.”  

Dentists gave up their PPE in the early days of the pandemic for hospitals, first responders and nursing homes. Now they have difficulty getting what they need to resume dental care. 

“Patients have been waiting to get back to their dentists and, even though now we have the green light from the IDPH, we are in need of PPE to meet their guidelines,” said Dave Marsh, Director of Governmental Affairs with the Illinois State Dental Society. “Of course, we recognize the highest priorities for PPE in health care settings, but we will be seeking a higher priority for masks and face shields for our profession.”

More details from IDPH are here.

DOLTON – To address the health disparities in minority neighborhoods, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Havery) is announcing more COVID-19 testing sites on the Southside and Westside of Chicago.  

“This pandemic has really shown the reality of the health gaps for underprivileged communities,” Harris said. “Health care needs to be equal for all racial backgrounds, which is why Gov. Pritzker’s expansion of testing to the southside and in other African-American communities across the state is so important.” 

Pritzker announced a partnership between Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and four Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) on Chicago’s West and South Sides that will expand testing in these communities to an additional 400 tests per day. The expansion includes three locations in Illinois’ Metro East to assist communities in East St. Louis and the surrounding region, and another facility in the Markham-Harvey area of the South Suburbs.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot brought attention to racial disparities in the number of deaths due to coronavirus, pointing out 72% of the city’s fatalities were African-Americans. She was one of the first government leaders to address the “death gap,” a topic now being discussed across the nation and world.

“African-American communities were unfunded before this crisis happen,” Harris said. “The death toll data of African-Americans just shows the lack of resources these neighborhoods have always had and how we need to continue to address health care disparities.” 

For more information or access to additional resources, please contact Senator Harris’ district office at 708-893-0552 or email here. 

HARVEY – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) recently announced a state grant that provides tax relief for several communities in his district.

“I am happy to announce several school districts in the South Suburbs will receive property tax relief,” Harris said. “I understand there are more communities that can benefit from this grant and that’s why I hope more schools take advantage of the funding opportunity.”

The Property Tax Relief Grant helps school districts with high tax rates relative to other school districts by giving them an opportunity to lower the property tax burden on local taxpayers with the state by replacing a portion of foregone tax revenue with state funds.

The amount the school districts receive will be included in future calculations of those districts.

SPRINGFEILD – On Tuesday’s National Day of Giving, State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Chicago) attended the Rocky Clark Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser at South Suburban College and donated $2,500 to the Rocky Clark Memorial Scholarship Fund.

"Schools across the state must continue to prioritize the education and well-being of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Harris said. “South Suburban College is doing an amazing job to provide resources to promote equity for students with disabilities, and I am pleased to support this cause.”

The Rocky Clark Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2012 to assist students with disabilities at South Suburban College. The scholarship was named after Rocky Clark, a former football player at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Chicago) will help Will County residents stay warm during the winter by partnering with fellow lawmakers to launch a winter clothing drive.

The Winter Clothing Drive will be from Nov. 25 to Dec. 13. Local and state elected officials will work with State Senator Jenifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) to provide organizations throughout the region with the necessary goods that benefit Will County residents.

“I’m honored to join my colleagues to make sure residents of Will County have access to warm clothing during these extreme winter months,” Harris said. “Winters in the Midwest are brutal and people need warm gear to be able to withstand the cold weather.”

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) urged lawmakers across the county to continue pressuring the NCAA to allow student athletes to receive compensation for the use of their names, images, and likenesses. Though the NCAA announced it is planning to make changes, Harris is skeptical.

“The NCAA put out a letter to stall lawmakers, because they were losing the power of being in control of every aspect of student athletes,” Harris said. “I will not be applauding them for doing nothing and will continue to work on my legislation to show that I am not trusting them to do what’s right.”