OAKBROOK TERRACE – To brighten the spirits of older residents who have been isolated from loved ones, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) invites people of all ages to donate valentines to be given out at local long-term care facilities.

“Whether the card comes from the store or is made from paper and crayons, many older residents could use an extra reminder that they are cared for,” Glowiak Hilton said. “I encourage families, students, community members and anyone with artistic talent to send in a Valentine’s Day card to spread love to our older neighbors.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) will continue to serve as Deputy Majority Leader of the Illinois State Senate in the 102nd General Assembly.

“It has been an honor to serve as Deputy Majority Leader over the past year, helping guide our legislature through new challenges in light of the COVID-19 crisis,” Murphy said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue this work to help our state come back from the pandemic stronger and more resilient.”

SPRINGFIELD – Strengthening existing mental health resources in Illinois and fostering the formation of new support systems are top priorities for State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) in her role as chair of the newly formed Senate Committee on Behavioral and Mental Health.

“As a lawmaker, ensuring every Illinoisan has access to quality mental health care has always been one of my main legislative goals,” Senator Fine said. “The creation of a dedicated committee shows the Illinois Senate is ready to commit the necessary time and focus to understand and eliminate barriers to care. I’m honored to serve as chair to help start those conversations.”

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) joined Governor JB Pritzker at the newly-opened Lake County Fairgrounds vaccination site Wednesday.

“The vaccination site puts our community on a quicker path toward full recovery,” Johnson said. “Thousands of Lake County residents have already been vaccinated, and seeing more people have that opportunity has given me hope for a more normal world.”

The COVID-19 vaccination site at the Lake County Fairgrounds opened earlier this month as a way to expedite the vaccination process for as many people as possible. Because of the size of the expo hall, dozens of vehicles can be parked inside while the vaccine is administered to them through their windows. 

To receive a vaccine, a person must first be registered on the Lake County AllVax system and bring their QR code, which will then be scanned before the vaccine is delivered. People without an appointment will be turned away.

Any person who is a frontline health care worker, first responder, front-line essential worker or over the age of 65 is now available to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. By next week, the local health department hopes 1,000 people will be able to receive a vaccine at the fairgrounds each day.

“I encourage anyone eligible for the vaccine to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated as soon as possible. All other residents should register on the AllVax system so they are alerted when they can get their dose,” Johnson said. “The only way to end the virus is for everyone to get vaccinated.”

For eligibility questions and other questions about the vaccine, people are encouraged to visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website.

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) is encouraging struggling small business owners to consider the Small Business Association’s newly reopened Paycheck Protection Program.

“Small businesses have been hit hard by this year of pandemic, and this funding opportunity will help support local restaurants, stores and other establishments that still need help,” Martwick said. “I encourage local business owners to apply for these loans in order to support their businesses and our community.”

The Small Business Association has reopened the Paycheck Protection Program, a loan program designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll.  Businesses with 300 employees or less and at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between 2019 and 2020 are eligible to apply. 

First Draw PPP Loans and Second Draw PPP Loans can be used to help fund payroll costs, including benefits, and may also be used to pay for mortgage interest, rent, utilities, worker protection costs related to COVID-19, uninsured property damage costs caused by looting or vandalism during 2020 and certain supplier costs and expenses for operations. Second Draw PPP loans are for businesses that have already received a PPP loan and may be eligible to receive another. At least $25 billion is being set aside for Second Draw PPP Loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. The deadline to apply for both loans is March 31, 2021.

Another assistance opportunity, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program makes $15 billion in grants available to shuttered venues, to be administered by the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. The application is not open yet, but more information is available here.

To help constituents understand the new programs, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is offering webinars. A full list of webinars is available here.

FRANKFORT – In order to streamline Illinois’ vaccination process, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) joined colleagues to call for the implementation of a database that would support county health departments, preventing the waste of vaccines.

Hastings, along with several Senate colleagues, made this request of Governor JB Pritzker via a joint letter.

“We know that our vaccine supply is not remotely close to adequate at the moment,” Hastings said. “This makes the distribution of every single dose available all the more critical. All we are seeking is further cooperation between the State and county health departments to implement a statewide database system dedicated to improving the distribution process.”

The proposed database would allow for nearby health care providers to be notified when there are extra vaccines available that need to be administered quickly. This would simplify the redistribution process, give eligible individuals the chance to receive their vaccination and prevent the state’s supply from expiring.

“I continue to be thankful for Governor Pritzker for his leadership, and I recognize he and his team are doing everything possible to ensure the vaccination process moves along smoothly,” Hastings said.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is honored to be named majority caucus whip and to serve as chair of the Health Committee during the 102nd General Assembly. 

“Senate President Don Harmon has led our caucus — and the entire Senate — with immense poise and leadership,” Morrison said. “I am honored he trusts me to serve as the majority caucus whip.”

Senator Morrison has served in the Illinois General Assembly since 2012 — but this is the first year she’s served in leadership. 

Morrison is also pleased to chair the Health Committee. She previously served as chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, and sat on the local government, environment and conservation, public health, oversight Medicaid managed care, and transportation committees. 

“My number one passion is ensuring all people are valued and treated with human dignity,” Morrison said. “Through the position as Health Committee chair, I am able to help protect and empower our state’s most vulnerable populations, who already struggle with too few resources.” 

CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam is partnering with local officials and workforce development agencies to bring a virtual job fair to residents of the 8^th Senate District next week. The free, online event will take place Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“My office and I have assisted several hundred residents who are experiencing unemployment or underemployment. People are struggling right now and through our conversations, we know they are asking for a hand up, not a hand out,” Villivalam said. “I encourage everyone seeking employment opportunities to virtually meet the many employers looking for local talent.”