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- Category: Senator Scott Bennett News
CHAMPAIGN – With the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus continuing to rise in Illinois, Governor Pritzker issued an extension of the Stay at Home Order until the end of April. State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is sharing resources with community members on how to manage their mental health while at home.
“Mental health is vital during this challenging time,” Bennett said. “As we face uncertainty about the coronavirus, there are measures we can take to stay calm.”
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Champaign has a hotline at 217-419-5345 and a textline for support. Text NAMI to 741741 for anyone who may experience a mental health crisis.
Senator Bennett encourages residents to take simple steps to care for themselves, such as:
- Connect with friends and family online,
- Keep regular work hours while at home,
- Prepare healthy meals,
- Exercise regularly, and
- Stay up to date with accurate information.
“There are still ways to keep up with family and friends while respecting social distance,” Bennett said. “It’s important to maintain your relationships right now so that we can overcome this together.”
While Senator Bennett’s office is closed during the Stay at Home Order, staff can be reached at 217-355-5252 to assist with any state services. More resources for COVID-19 can be found at coronavirus.illinois.gov.
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- Category: Senator Emil Jones III News
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago) announced Monday the expansion of support to childcare workers and other essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Essential workers do not have the luxury of staying home during this crisis,” Jones said. “Doctors and nurses are working day in and day out so it’s important these childcare centers are sustained to support these essential employees."
All essential workers in health care, human services, essential government services, and essential infrastructure now qualify for the state’s Child Care Assistance. Most of the expenses of emergency childcare centers and homes will be covered. This expansion of eligibility includes those working as nurses and doctors, supporting staff in hospitals, grocery store clerks and food producers.
Read more: Jones announces additional support to essential workers
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- Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) announces the expansion of support to childcare workers and other essential workers during this COVID-19 crisis.“During this crisis essential workers still need someone to watch over their children, which is why this additional support to childcare centers is critical,” Belt said. “This ensures that their kids are still safe while increasing the affordability at these centers in the time being.”
On April 1st, all essential workers in health care, human services, essential government services, and essential infrastructure will qualify for the state’s Child Care Assistance. Most of the expenses of emergency childcare centers and homes will be covered. This expansion of eligibility includes those working as nurses and doctors, supporting staff in hospitals, grocery store clerks and food producers.
For more information on assistance that’s available at the Department of Human Services visit: DHS.illinois.gov/helpishere and coronavirus.illinois.gov
Emergency childcare centers will receive additional reimbursement rates above their usual pay rate. Childcare center and that are interested in re-opening as emergency child centers are able to apply for a permit through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Home childcare providers do not need a permit and can serve up to 6 children.
For more information emergency childcare centers and how to apply visit: www2.illinois.gov/sites/OECD.
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- Category: Senator Julie A. Morrison News
SPRINGFIELD — While people are staying home to keep safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a population —survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence — who are living in more vulnerable situations. State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) applauds Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services for expanding services for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.
“Domestic violence and sexual assault survivors are living in constant fear,” Morrison said. “Right now, they have nowhere to go and no one to watch out for them. I can’t imagine how scared some of these people are in an already worrisome time.”
Read more: Morrison applauds expansion of domestic violence and sexual assault services
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- Category: Member News
Every 10 years, the United States Census Bureau completes its count of every person living in the country.
The census determines congressional representation, helps determine how federal funds flow into states and provides information that will impact communities for the next decade.
Starting in mid-March, most people should have received mail from the U.S. Census Bureau. These letters contains each household’s Census ID number, which can be used when filling out the census online at my2020census.gov.
Filling out the census questionnaire takes less than 10 minutes and can easily be done from the comfort of one’s home online, by phone or mail.
The information provided will impact each community in Illinois every day — from influencing highway planning to determining how money is allocated to public school programs.
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- Category: Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. News
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Rep. Greg Harris and Sen. Elgie Sims – co-chairs of the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform – released the following statement Tuesday regarding ongoing efforts to enact meaningful ethics reform in Illinois:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated that we all put the health and safety of our state and our communities first. The Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform remains committed to our task of developing recommendations for meaningful reforms to the way lobbyists and elected officials conduct themselves. We have completed our meetings, heard from stakeholders and are working through the proposals that have been put before us.
Read more: Democratic Co-Chairs Remain Committed to Ethics, Lobbying Reform
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- Category: Senator Bill Cunningham News
CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham encouraged area restaurants, hotels and other small businesses to take advantage of new emergency assistance programs Monday.
“It’s been difficult to watch so many of our local businesses close due to the coronavirus outbreak,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “We need to do everything possible to help local businesses stay afloat during this pandemic.”
Small business owners in Chicago will be able to take advantage of the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund, a $100 million program that will support low-interest loans of up to $50,000 for small businesses in Chicago.
Read more: Cunningham: New loan, grant programs available for small businesses
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