NAPERVILLE — A measure that was signed into law last week will help survivors of sexual assault be able to receive medical forensic exams, also known as rape kits, at federally qualified health centers, in addition to hospitals during the COVID-19 crisis. State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is a strong supporter of the new law, which she voted for in May.

“Seeking help after a sexual assault is already difficult. Now that hospitals are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be that much harder,” Ellman said. “Nobody should be forced to make the decision between potentially contracting COVID-19 and seeking justice.”

Senate Bill 557 allows approved federally qualified health centers to perform rape kit examinations and collection during public health emergencies like COVID-19. 

“The reality is, this pandemic hasn’t stopped sexual assault in Illinois,” Ellman said. “It’s critical that survivors have access to medical forensic exams somewhere other than hospitals.”

This measure took effect last Friday.

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D- Grayslake) is urging all Lake County residents to prepare for possible severe weather by developing an emergency plan.

To help Illinois residents prepare for severe weather season, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service developed a Severe Weather Preparedness Guide that covers flooding, severe weather terms and tips for staying safe.

“Lake County has been particularly vulnerable to flooding,” Bush said. “I highly encourage all residents to sign up for the Lake County severe weather alerts in order to be prepared for unpredictable weather.”

For more Lake County-specific weather preparedness information please sign up for Alert Lake County here or visit the Lake County Flood Preparedness website here.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IEMA recommends a few new items be included in your emergency supply kit, including face coverings for every member of your family, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes. Other items to include in a basic emergency supply kit include water, food, NOAA weather radio, flashlight, batteries, phone charger and prescription medications. A complete list can be found online at www.ready.gov/kit.

For more information, IEMA offers severe weather preparedness information on the Ready Illinois website, a one-stop resource for detailed information about what to do before, during and after disasters.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law backed by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) aims to provide relief and flexibility to property tax owners.

“We are seeing the economic impact COVID-19 is having on residents who are struggling to get by,” Bennett said. “With property taxpayers suffering, it made sense to do what we can to help working families and small businesses find additional savings.”

Under this legislation, local businesses and residents would see property tax relief in the form of:

• Empowering county governments to approve 2020 homestead exemptions for those with disabilities, veterans with disabilities and senior citizens, as long as the property had been granted this exemption for 2019;
• Allowing counties with less than 3 million residents to waive interest penalties and fees for late property tax payments due in 2020;
• Deferred property tax sale.

“With residents desperate for property tax relief, these measures address problems plaguing property tax payers,” Bennett said. 

The legislation - Senate Bill 685 - was signed into law Friday and is effective immediately.

GLENVIEW – A free online job training program could help millions of out-of-work Illinoisans prepare for a new career in the information technology industry, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced.

“Information technology is one of the fastest growing industries, and skilled workers are in high demand,” said Fine. “The Workforce Recovery Initiative could give Illinoisans a leg up when starting a career in the field.”

Partnering with Coursera, an online learning platform, Illinois is one of the first states to make online job training courses free to residents through their Workforce Recovery Initiative. Now through September residents can apply online to enroll in over 3,800 industry-certified courses offered by accredited institutions. To receive credit, all courses must be completed by Dec. 31.

The state is also partnering with P33 and Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) to launch another training program, TechReady Illinois. This program will provide training for in-demand fields in the information technology industry. Upon completion, enrollees will be certified in data and analytics, cloud computing, cybersecurity or software development. Residents can apply online for the TechReady program here. TechReady Illinois is not a free program like Coursera, but DPI is working secure discounts for enrollees.

If you are interested in career opportunities outside the information technology industry, Get Hired Illinois is an online job portal that has over 60,000 listings available in a variety of industries.

WESTERN SPRINGS – Property owners across the state may see lower property taxes thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs).

“Our recovery is going to take years, and reducing structural, long-term burdens like property taxes must be one of our goals,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Streamlining the approval process for tax exemptions will go a long way to help working families.”

Senate Bill 685 empowers county governments to approve 2020 Homestead Exemptions for those living with disabilities, veterans and senior citizens if their property was granted an exemption in 2019. Counties with under 3 million residents are also allowed to waive interest penalties and fees for late property tax payments in 2020.

The governor signed Senate Bill 685 last week and the legislation is effective immediately.

PARK FOREST - As many homeowners struggle to make ends meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic downturn, a new law supported by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is providing meaningful property tax relief.

“Communities I represent pay up to three times the national average on property taxes, which is not acceptable,” Joyce said. “Especially now, they deserve real property tax relief.”

 Under this legislation, local businesses and residents would see property tax relief in the form of:

• Empowering county governments to approve 2020 homestead exemptions for those with disabilities, veterans with disabilities and senior citizens, as long as the property had been granted this exemption for 2019
• Allowing counties with less than 3 million residents to waive interest penalties and fees for late property tax payments due in 2020
• Deferred property tax sales

This legislation is effective immediately.

PLAINFIELD — To provide relief and flexibility to property tax owners, State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) supported a new law that will defer tax sales and give counties the ability to extend homestead exemptions and waive late fees.

“Property taxes can often be a financial burden, but that burden has risen for many because of the public health crisis,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “This new law will provide some relief to our residents.” 

Under this legislation, local businesses and residents would see property tax relief in the form of:

• Empowering county governments to approve 2020 homestead exemptions for those with disabilities, veterans with disabilities and senior citizens, as long as the property had been granted this exemption for 2019;

• Allowing counties with less than 3 million residents to waive interest penalties and fees for late property tax payments due in 2020;

• Deferring property tax sales.

County assessment officers can still conduct audits of taxpayers claiming an exemption in order to verify the applicant is eligible to receive the senior citizen’s assessment freeze through the homestead exemption.

The measure — found in Senate Bill 685 — also defers tax sales and gives the county the authority to waive property tax interest penalties.

The measure was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker Friday and took immediate effect. 

DES PLAINES – With millions of Illinoisans out of work due to the COVID-19 outbreak, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) encourages residents to take advantage of a new online career training program for jobs in the information technology industry.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit our workforce particularly hard,” said Murphy. “As the state begins to recover, the Workforce Recovery Initiative could help Illinoisans return to the job market with new, in-demand skills and find a great career.”

Partnering with Coursera, an online learning platform, Illinois is one of the first states to make online job training courses free to residents through their Workforce Recovery Initiative. Now through September residents can apply online to enroll in over 3,800 industry-certified courses offered by accredited institutions. To receive credit, all courses must be completed by Dec. 31.

If you are interested in career opportunities outside the information technology industry, Get Hired Illinois is an online job portal that has over 60,000 listings available in a variety of industries.