WILL COUNTY, Ill. – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) announced that nearly $47,000 will be distributed in Will County for historic preservation projects through the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund.

“Our community has a rich history that we should preserve for generations to come,” Connor said. “As we continue to identify and protect our historical properties and the educational opportunities they offer, I hope residents will learn more about the past.”

The Historic Preservation Fund will distribute more than $131,400 in funding to local governments throughout Illinois for nine historic preservation projects.

In the 43^rd District, the city of Joliet was awarded $17,520 to update the architectural and historical information for all 130 of Joliet’s designated local historical properties. Will County was awarded $29,200 for a comprehensive update to the county’s Historic Preservation Plan, which was originally completed in 1976.

The program is open to all 83 certified local governments throughout Illinois, and another round of grants is anticipated in the fall of 2021. For information on the grants and how to apply, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) will help prevent potentially fatal accidents by increasing training requirements for private detectives and private security guards who want to carry firearms.

“Private detectives and security guards who want to carry guns need to be properly trained,” Connor said. “They need to know when and how it is appropriate to use deadly force.”

Existing law required security guards to complete 40 hours of basic training to be licensed as private security contractors. Guards employed by corporations were able to carry weapons without completing the required training if the corporation they work for employs five or less armed guards. The new law would require all armed employees to complete the training and creates even more stringent training requirements for private detectives and private security contractors.

SPRINGFIELD – Veterans and civilians in Illinois as well as older adults will be eligible for homestead exemptions without having to reapply thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator John Connor that was signed into law Friday.

“By not requiring members of these already at-risk populations to reapply for this important tax exemption, we are helping to keep them safe from COVID-19 and other dangerous and communicable illnesses,” Connor said. “When we help keep people at home, we help keep people safe.”

Homestead exemptions can be approved for people with disabilities, veterans with disabilities and older adults without new applications under House Bill 3289. Any property that was approved for the exemption in tax year 2019 will qualify, provided that the county the property is in is declared a disaster area related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BOLINGBROOK – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) and State Representative Dagmara Avelar (D-Bolingbrook) hosted a mobile driver services unit on Saturday, bringing secretary of state resources to local communities that may have had trouble getting help as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The unit was incredibly well attended, which speaks to a need for these services to be made more accessible,” Connor said. “It is my goal to continue to bring these vital resources to the community.”

Through the mobile unit, community members were able to renew or correct licenses and state IDs, update license plate stickers, and register to vote or to be an organ donor.

Illinois driver’s license and ID card expiration dates have been extended through Jan. 1, 2022, but those wishing to conduct secretary of state business sooner can visit CyberDriveIllinois.com or visit a local secretary of state facility.

SPRINGFIELD – The secretary of state will be required to publish publicly-accessible data on a daily basis under a new law sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) and signed Friday.

“Illinois is the only state that does not offer its business data for free online,” Connor said. “This legislation will bring us into the 21^st century and will substantially increase our transparency and efficiency as a state.”

Under the new law, the secretary of state will be required to publish a daily list of all newly formed corporations, both business and non-profit, chartered on that day. The list will be made available as open data and accessible to the general public.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) was signed into law Friday that would require stricter monitoring of possible racial bias by businesses that use artificial intelligence in their hiring processes.

“It is our responsibility to eliminate racial bias in all aspects of our society, and this is an important step in that direction,” Connor said. “No one should lose an opportunity because of the color of their skin.”

Artificial Intelligence is used in the hiring processes of many large companies. Prospective employees record a video of themselves answering a series of designated questions, and the company’s AI software then analyzes the video to assign scores to facial expressions, word choice, body language and vocal tone. Applicants are chosen for advancement based on their assigned score.

NEW LENOX – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) attended the Illinois Health and Hospital Association’s inaugural Health Equity Action Day at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox last week.

“It is incredibly fitting to kick off the weekend of Juneteenth, our newest federal holiday, with a discussion on how to create greater equality right here in Illinois,” Connor said. “Our community benefits greatly from Silver Cross and the work that they do to bridge disparities in health care for our Black and Brown neighbors, and while we still have a long way to go, we have the momentum we need to get there.”

Other notable participants at the Health Equity Action Day included Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort), members of the Healthy Community Commission and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council and several hospital leaders. The group engaged in a roundtable discussion regarding racial disparities in health care and how to best address them, especially in light of the manner in which COVID-19 disproportionately ravaged communities of color.

Silver Cross Hospital founded its Healthy Community Commission in 2008 in an effort to create a stronger, healthier future for everyone it serves. The community-based organization provides support for education, workforce development training and enrichment activities for local youth. It has awarded $2.5 million in educational scholarships and workforce development grants to numerous Joliet-area residents and organizations over the last 13 years.

“The best way to tackle any problem is to do it together,” Connor said. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside this fantastic team to ensure that all Illinoisans have access to affordable and equitable health care.”

Those wishing to learn more about the Healthy Community Commission can visit Silver Cross’s website.

JOLIET – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) attended a meet and greet luncheon on Wednesday afternoon with the Joliet Chamber and Joliet’s fire chief and chief of police.

“I was grateful for the opportunity to thank and listen to the Joliet fire and police leaders to hear their concerns and priorities moving forward,” Connor said. “Chiefs Blaskey and Malec have shown their readiness for and dedication to protecting Joliet families, and I look forward to the positive changes they will make.”

Joliet Fire Chief Greg Blaskey discussed COVID-19 response in the community and vaccination efforts by the fire department, as well as its work to increase survival rates for local victims of cardiac arrest. Chief of Police Dawn Malec discussed the upcoming implementation of body cameras for the Joliet Police Department in order to maintain transparency and keep families safe, along with upcoming job opportunities with the department.

“When we all work together, we can make our community a better and safer place to live,” Connor said. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside Chiefs Blaskey and Malec to meet that shared goal.”