SPRINGFIELD – To connect with community members during the Stay at Home Order and stay up to date on the issues affecting her district, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) hosted a Telephone Town Hall event Thursday evening, which also featured input from medical and public health experts.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I haven’t been able to speak to constituents in person for the past few weeks,” said Murphy. “This Telephone Town Hall was a great opportunity to hear from my neighbors about the challenges they’re facing and offer my assistance in any way I can.”

The Telephone Town Hall gave local residents a chance to voice their opinions and share their input on legislative initiatives important to the area and the state. Callers were invited to submit questions over the phone and by email.

Murphy was joined by Dr. Sachin Patel, regional director for Vituity in Chicago, to help callers with health-related concerns. Laura Vaught, Division Chief at the Illinois Department of Public Health, was also on hand to answer questions on behalf of the department.

“The Telephone Town Hall was a great mechanism for community engagement, and it was clear that our neighbors continue to have many important questions about COVID-19,” said Dr. Patel. “An informed public will be a critical part of the policy solutions we develop going forward.”

Over 1,000 callers joined the Telephone Town Hall. Over the course of the hourlong event, Murphy was able to help residents with filing for unemployment, locating COVID-19 testing sites and more.

The Telephone Town Hall also allowed participants to express their views by responding to various survey questions, which covered topics like community needs during the pandemic, the state’s response to coronavirus and the governor’s Restore Illinois plan.

“Especially right now, it’s important to stay connected with people,” said Murphy. “I am thrilled to have been able to help answer questions and get more information about the issues that matter most to my district.”