DES PLAINES – To help Illinois families pay their electric bills, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is highlighting a new support package from ComEd and the Illinois Commerce Commission.

“With unemployment at a record high, many families are struggling to afford basic necessities,” said Murphy. “I hope these measures can help keep the lights on.”

The package includes a number of provisions to help customers get back on their feet, including an extension of ComEd’s current policy suspending disconnections until the state moves to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan or Aug. 1, 2020, whichever comes first. Residential and small business customers will have an additional 30-day grace period, during which time ComEd will not disconnect service for nonpayment.

Low-income households earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level are eligible for financial assistance for past-due balances. Under this package, customers will have more flexible payment options, including longer payment plans, and ComEd will waive reconnection fees and new deposit requirements for residential customers.

These new supports supplement relief measures ComEd has already put in place, like budget billing options, grants and debt assistance.

“Families need all the help they can get right now,” said Murphy. “I’m glad to see companies offering people a hand during these tough times.”

Customers who are struggling to pay their outstanding balances and electric bills are encouraged to contact ComEd’s customer care team as soon as possible at (800) 334-7661, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. More information is also available at ComEd.com/CARE.

CHICAGO – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is highlighting a new grant program to assist small bars and restaurants that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our local bars and restaurants are among the businesses that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis, and if we don’t find ways to support them, many will have to close their doors permanently,” Feigenholtz said. “These grants are another means to help them stay on their feet.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is providing 1,000 grants for small bars and restaurants worth a total of $20 million as part of the state’s Business Interruption Grants program.

The funds are intended to help these small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic, help offset the costs they’ve incurred during months of shut down or restricted operations, and ensure they have the resources they need to reopen safely in the coming months.

To be eligible for a grant, bars and restaurants must have made under $3 million in revenue in 2019, or a pro-rated amount if they have been in business less than a year, and have been operating for at least three months prior to March 2020. Only businesses who have been unable to provide outdoor food and beverage service during Phase 3 will be eligible.

The amount awarded will be $20,000 for businesses earning $2-3 million in revenue for 2019 and $15,000 for those earning less than $2 million.

Half of the grants distributed will be for businesses in disproportionately impacted areas, with priority given to areas with recent property damage.

“This program may not solve all the issues bars and restaurants are facing right now, but it’s another good step we can take to help protect them from the financial challenges posed by the pandemic,” Feigenholtz said. “I encourage all eligible bar and restaurant owners to apply.”

Similar grant programs are available for barbershops, salons, and fitness centers, as well as for businesses in disproportionately impacted areas with recent significant property damage.

Grant applications will be made available by DCEO Monday, June 22.

MARYVILLE – To assist Metro East business owners impacted by COVID-19, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is grateful that Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville’s Small Business Development Center will receive an additional $200,000 supported by the CARES Act.

“The business center at SIUE supports the Metro East region by strengthening the business community and creating new jobs and opportunities,” Crowe said. “By assisting entrepreneurs and companies through this time of financial strain, we’re providing resources to help businesses stay open and functional.”

The SIUE Small Business Development Center is a service to the community supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and SIUE School of Business.

Illinois Small Business Development Centers are located throughout the state and provide information, confidential business guidance, training and other resources to start-up and existing small businesses.

For more information, visit the SBDC website.

CHICAGO – Teachers and students will have extra support during the COVID-19 crisis thanks to an education package championed by State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) that was signed into law on Thursday.

“These changes will help students and teachers to overcome the new challenges they face during the pandemic,” Villanueva said. “As we move forward, we must find new ways to ensure that students are able to maintain a path to success in their education.”

The education package extends educator license renewals for one year, so teachers don’t have to go through the renewal process while working remotely. It also allows for mandatory tests to be taken remotely, so students will not need to risk infection while taking a required college entry exam.

For higher education courses, a grade of “pass”, “credit” or “satisfactory” during the public health emergency is transferable and will fulfill prerequisite requirements for more advanced courses. The package also modifies the income requirements for the AIM HIGH education grant program. Under this new provision, a student’s income when they enter the program will remain their income for the duration of their inclusion in the program.

Senate Bill 1569 was signed by the governor on Thursday and is effective immediately.

DANVILLE – To help address the dire need for personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 crisis, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) delivered 200 face shields and 1,400 face masks to Vermilion County medical professionals and nursing homes Thursday.

“I am more than grateful to be able to provide masks to frontline workers with the help of some tremendous community partners,” Bennett said. “Especially now, it’s important we come together to support those working to keep us safe and healthy during these trying times.”

Personal protective equipment prices are volatile due to the current shortage, and some providers have struggled to acquire adequate supplies.

To support front-line health workers leading the fight against COVID-19, Bennett partnered with John Deere and the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) to donate face shields to Aunt Martha’s Health Center in Danville. Bennett was also able to donate face masks to the Vermilion County Health Department, thanks to a generous donation from General Eric Huang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago.

Huang contacted Bennett earlier this month to offer support to east-central Illinoisans battling the coronavirus pandemic. Bennett established a relationship with Huang and the Taiwanese delegation last fall when he hosted them at his family farm to celebrate their commitment to purchase Illinois crops between 2020 and 2021.

“This is another great reminder that we are all in this together,” Bennett said. “I want to thank, John Deere, Illinois Manufacturers Association and Director Huang for their generous donations to support healthcare workers in Vermilion County. With their help, we can protect front-line workers and slow the spread of COVID-19.”

SPRINGFIELD – To mark the anniversary of the end of slavery in the U.S., State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) has proposed legislation that would make June 19—also known as Juneteenth, or Freedom Day—a state holiday. 

“It’s time Illinois recognizes and observes the day African Americans were actually given their freedom, not just on paper, but in practice,” Harris said. “Making June 19 a state holiday is a way to celebrate African Americans’ freedom and highlight not just how far we have come, but also remind us how far we have to go.”

The legislation would declare June 19 Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Illinois.

FRANKFORT – The Illinois Commerce Commission announced the decision to approve several consumer protection measures during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, several of which State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) called for as leader of the Senate’s Energy and Public Utilities working group this past legislative session.

“Throughout March and April, I met with my colleagues on the Senate’s Energy and Public Utilities working group and numerous stakeholders. Our charge was very simple: we had to arrive at a solution to protect consumers,” Hastings said. “I’m thankful that Chairman Zalewski and the ICC listened to our recommendations allowing us to arrive at a helpful solution.”

Details of the comprehensive consumer protection package include:

• Extending the suspension of disconnections for 30 days beyond Illinois’ entry into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, or Aug. 1, 2020, whichever comes first;
• Flexible payment options once that time is up;
• Bill assistance for eligible low-income customers;
• Expanded fee relief.

This agreement covers several of the state’s major utility companies, including Aqua Illinois, Illinois-American Water Company, Utility Services of Illinois, Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas Company, Peoples Gas and ComEd.

“I appreciate the cooperation of these companies and their dedication to their customers,” Hastings said. “They understand as well as I do that COVID-19 is not going to simply fade away, and even when it does, the recovery process will be difficult for so many. Extending moratoriums on shutoffs and providing additional financial relief is our moral obligation.”

MARYVILLE – As part of the state’s response to COVID-19, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) supported legislation to help school districts address the challenges created by the pandemic, signed into law Thursday by the governor.

Senate Bill 1569 makes a number of changes that help schools adjust to remote learning and other challenges imposed by the pandemic, including:

• Allowing for the creation of remote learning days and remote learning plans,
• Allowing for a combination of remote learning and in-person instruction,
• Suspending clock hour requirements when a disaster is declared,
• Affirming graduation modifications granted to Spring 2020 graduates, and
• Allowing mandated exams to be completed remotely.

“No one can predict our circumstances in the fall. This law allows school districts to adapt,” Crowe said. “It should help educators find new ways of educating students through e-learning.”

Because teacher evaluations for the 2020-2021 school year have been paused due to COVID-19, the measure extends teacher license renewals by one year.

The legislation also extends a law allowing retired teachers to return to the classroom as substitutes for up to 120 paid days or 600 paid hours without impairing their retirement status.

“Illinois’ teacher shortage continues to affect communities throughout the state,” Crowe said. “Recognizing the ongoing struggle for downstate school districts to staff qualified teachers, this initiative protects retired teachers’ benefits while allowing them to serve as long-term substitutes.”

Finally, the legislation also makes it easier for college students who receive financial assistance through the Aspirational Institutional Match Illinois Grow Higher Education Grant Pilot Program, also known as AIM HIGH, to retain their aid for the duration of their four years of undergraduate studies.

AIM HIGH provides financial assistance to eligible low-income students who attend one of the state’s 12 public universities. Under the measure, the income of a student when entering the program will be the income of the student for the life of the program.

Senate Bill 1569 is effective immediately.