New Hunter law expands access to health care for communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19

CHICAGO — State Senator Mattie Hunter’s (D-Chicago) legislation aimed at improving access to health care in communities across Illinois that have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic was signed into law last week by Governor JB Pritzker.

“In Illinois, you deserve access to high-quality health care and treatment, no matter your economic status, your ZIP code or what you look like,” Hunter said. “This law extends that promise to many of our neighbors who have been left out, often due to long-standing racial health and economic disparities.”

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Aquino applauds legislation aimed to provide funding for hospitals serving low-income families

CHICAGO — State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) applauds the signing of legislation aimed at providing funding to hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new law brings an additional $450 million to safety-net hospitals, prioritizing the institutions that serve a high number of Medicaid patients.

“I thank Governor J.B. Pritzker for signing this legislation that brings certainty to health care providers and the low-income clients they serve,” Aquino said. “The additional money will be vital to communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.”

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Villanueva encourages youth employment assistance providers to apply for state grant

CHICAGO — With young people facing high rates of unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) announced the Illinois Youth Investment Program is extending its grant application deadline to Aug. 3, 2020.

“For most of my career I have been dedicated to the development of young people and am continuously amazed at the things that they can accomplish,” Villanueva said. “Organizations looking to help at-risk young people should apply for these grants so that they have the necessary resources to set them up for success.”

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Lightford: Chicago gun violence is a symptom of a larger problem

CHICAGO — Over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Chicago saw gun violence across the city, including the deaths of 7-year-old Natalia Wallace and 14-year-old Vernado Jones. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement in reaction to the devastating events that took place.

“I have dedicated my career to the idea that every child deserves a quality education, a transformative tool they can use to better themselves. Then, tragedies like the killings of Natalia Wallace and Vernado Jones happen, and we are once again facing the dark reality that our children are not safe enough to benefit from any education."

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CHICAGO – With the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of families depend on federally funded nutrition programs, leading State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to educate child care centers about the upcoming Child and Adult Care Food Program and the resources it will help provide.

“This pandemic has proven to be a time of struggle for many. I am happy this program will continue, so our children never have to go hungry,” Van Pelt said.

In addition to child care centers, Head Start programs, emergency shelters and day care home providers will be eligible for the funding, which will offer healthy meals to children.

People in households who participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are also eligible to receive free meal benefits. Families that don’t receive TANF or SNAP benefits eligibility will be determined by the USDA Household Income Eligibility Guidelines.

A member of the household should contact their child care center or day care home provider to learn about benefits of the CACFP if their household’s income falls within or below the listed guidelines. They may be required to complete an application and provide income, TANF or SNAP information.

Children enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start programs at approved Head Start facilities, and foster care children who are legal responsibilities of the state or court also receive free meal assistance. To find out if they participate in CACFP, parents or guardians should contact their child care center or day care home provider.

How to apply:

• Child care institutions can learn more and apply for the program here: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Nutrition-and-Wellness-Child-Care-Institutions.aspx

• Family day care homes can learn more here: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Family-Day-Care-Homes.aspx

• Those interested in the adult care portion of the program can visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/aging/programs/Pages/Child-and-Adult-Care-Food-Program-(CACFP).aspx

ROCKFORD – In anticipation of extreme summer heat across Illinois, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) reminds drivers to remain alert, expect slowdowns and be cautious of pavement buckling on roads.

“We all know the heat during the summer months can cause health issues and increase the risk of buckling pavement on our roads,” Stadelman said. “I’m asking Rockford residents to simply be more mindful of this when they take to the roads, and if they see any unsafe buckling to report it to roadway officials.”

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, pavement failures or blowouts occur when prolonged high temperatures cause the road to expand and buckle up or blow out, resulting in uneven driving surfaces. Precipitation and humidity increase the potential for buckling.

Stadelman is also reminding drivers to slow down and be cautious of construction workers when present.

Pavement failures can be reported to IDOT by calling 800-452-4368 or by reaching out to law enforcement via 911.

PLAINFIELD – The federal government is once again accepting applications for the Paycheck Protection Program, and State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) is encouraging business owners to apply for PPP and other forgivable loans through the Small Business Administration.

“Many business owners – especially small, local business owners – are facing financial uncertainty they have never experienced before,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Some are understandably worried about not being able to provide for their families or their employees. Forgivable loans, like the Paycheck Protection Program, will allow them to get back on their feet without losing sleep over how they will pay back the borrowed money.”

To help provide financial support to businesses, the Federal Treasury Department and the U.S. Small Business Administration extended the application period for the Paycheck Protection Program. Businesses can get up to $10 million in relief funding through the first come, first served program. Under the extended deadline, businesses must apply by Aug. 8.

The financial lifeline helps employers keep people on the payroll and pay overhead expenses. If used as intended, the loans don’t have to be repaid.

More than 27,000 Illinois businesses have already taken advantage of the loans – saving an estimated 1.36 million jobs – according to the Small Business Administration.

PPP loans have an interest rate of 1% and can be fully forgiven if they are used for payroll costs, rent, utilities or interest on mortgages.

To find participating lenders, business owners and managers can visit the Small Business Administration’s website, found here. A new Small Business Development Center recently opened at the Joliet Junior College. Businesses that need help applying for the program should visit the center.

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) announced that two local adult literacy programs will receive a combined total of $105,000 in state funds. The Secretary of State issued these grants as part of his Adult Literacy Grant program.

“Community organizations and local colleges offer adults the opportunity to expand their reading and English language skills,” Villanueva said. “Funding these programs is essential to the success of our community. I encourage anyone looking to hone these skills to join one of these programs.”

More than 13,500 students will be served by adult literacy programs throughout Illinois. Supported by $5.6 million in state funds, the programs will depend on nearly 6,000 volunteer tutors to provide skills training for students, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Adult literacy projects are focused on improving reading, writing and math and are targeted at Illinois adults who read below the 9th-grade level or speak English at a beginning level.

The PODER Learning Center in the West Lawn neighborhood of Chicago was awarded a grant of $75,000. Morton College in Cicero was awarded a grant of $30,000.

“As an immigrant integration center, PODER facilitates successful societal and workforce integration and there’s no more vital skill than the ability to communicate effectively in English,” Daniel Loftus, President and CEO of PODER Learning Center, said. “Learning a language virtually, due to the pandemic, has its challenges.  By investing in our recruitment and training of volunteers to support our professional instructors, this grant will ensure every PODER student receives all the additional one-one-one English tutoring support they need to be successful.”

To volunteer as a tutor at one of these programs, contact the Illinois Adult Learning Hotline at 800-321-9511.

Census Bureau estimates Asian Americans as fastest growing demographic in the state

CHICAGO – Reacting to news that the Census Bureau has identified Asian Americans from countries like India and China as the fastest growing demographic group in Illinois, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) vowed to continue to vigorously support Asian Americans, both recent immigrants and those who have been here for generations.

“We need to ensure Asian Americans have access to all of the same state services as other Illinois residents,” said Villivalam, the first Asian American elected to the Illinois Senate and the Co-Chair of the Illinois General Assembly’s Asian American Caucus. “Making sure documents and websites are available in Asian languages is an important first step, and one that I’ve been pushing especially hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

CHAMPAIGN – To support the many Illinoisans working and learning from home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is pleased to announce the Housing Authority of Champaign County has been selected to receive a state grant funding broadband advancements across the community.

“This pandemic has served as a reminder to residents just how crucial broadband access is,” Bennett said. “Many rural areas lack high-speed internet service, but this grant will enhance broadband accessibility and ensure those communities can stay connected.”

The Housing Authority of Champaign is one of 12 organizations to receive a grant from the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through the Illinois Connected Communities program, created to help build broadband capacity in underserved areas.

In addition to an award of up to $15,000, the 12-month program provides free expert consultation to enable each Illinois Connected Community to complete a plan for expanding broadband that identifies actions to improve internet access in the areas of community and economic development, education, civic engagement, healthcare, agriculture, and more.

The program directs $150,000 in state-funded small grants for community and local government partners to help improve access to high-speed broadband in their communities. The state grants will be matched by $150,000 in philanthropic funds.

These grants will help lay the groundwork for individual communities to play a part in Connect Illinois, a $420 million program to bring basic internet access to all communities by 2024. Connect Illinois contemplates a second round of grants later this year.

PARK FOREST – A new state grant will expand access to high-speed internet for students and families in Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Park Forest) announced Monday.

“People living in rural areas deserve reliable internet access,” Joyce said. “Especially during this pandemic, when working and learning from home has become the norm, it’s important that we expand broadband internet service so no community is left behind.”

The Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163 is one of 12 organizations to receive a grant from the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through the Illinois Connected Communities program, created to help build broadband capacity in underserved areas.

In addition to an award of up to $15,000, the 12-month program provides free expert consultation to enable each Illinois Connected Community to complete a plan for expanding broadband that identifies actions to improve internet access in the areas of community and economic development, education, civic engagement, healthcare, agriculture, and more.

The program directs $150,000 in state-funded small grants for community and local government partners to help improve access to high-speed broadband in their communities. The state grants will be matched by $150,000 in philanthropic funds.

These grants will help lay the groundwork for individual communities to play a part in Connect Illinois, a $420 million program to bring basic internet access to all communities by 2024. Connect Illinois contemplates a second round of grants later this year.