BUFFALO GROVE — To show older adults in long-term care facilities that people are thinking about them, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is collecting store-bought or hand-made cards to donate for Valentine’s Day. 

“Older adults, especially those who may live far from family, need a chance to connect with others,” Johnson said. “One simple card can deliver so much power.”

Senator Johnson will collect cards at her district office from now until Feb. 10. The cards will then be donated to a number of long-term care facilities across the district she represents. 

People wishing to participate can drop off cards at an outside collection box or mail them to 100 S. Greenleaf St., Gurnee, IL 60031.

Senator Johnson reminds everyone to maintain social distancing and to wear a mask if choosing to deliver cards in person. 

GLENVIEW – To update Cook County residents on the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort and dispel myths about the virus and the vaccine, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) will join local elected officials for a virtual town hall meeting Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

“The vaccine distribution process is underway, and many residents have questions about how, where and when they can get a vaccine,” Senator Fine said. “It’s critical that everyone has accurate, up-to-date information when making a plan to get vaccinated.”

Senator Fine has partnered with a number of Cook County elected officials to host the event, including Commissioners Scott Britton, Larry Suffredin and Pete Silvestri; and State Representatives Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) and Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview).

The discussion will center on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Cook County. The event is not intended for Cook County residents who live in Chicago, Evanston or Skokie, as these municipalities each maintain their own department of public health and have an independent vaccine distribution plan.

The free town hall will be streamed live via Zoom, and registration is required to join. Register at bit.ly/ccvaccinetownhall to receive a Zoom link on the day of the event.

Participants can submit questions ahead of the event by emailing Adam Newman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CHICAGO – State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) urged young women aged 14 to 18 to step up and apply to join the Illinois Council on Women and Girls to help shape the policies that will ensure a more equal future for female citizens in Illinois.

“I pushed for the creation of the Illinois Council on Women and Girls because despite some progress, women still have far to go to reach true equality in America,” Collins said. “And these policies are of even greater importance to our young women: Access to health, education, an equal wage, and so many other issues are apparent when we look to the lived experiences of our young women. We need to hear their voices.”

Collins sponsored legislation creating the council with the goal of studying the systemic barriers faced by women and girls in Illinois and developing clear policy goals to address them. Led by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, the council issued its first report in March of last year, available here.

CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) announced the local recipients of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program’s second round of funding.

“I was honored to work with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to secure funding for our local businesses in the 8th District,” Villivalam said. “Small businesses are the engine of our economy and must be prioritized for economic relief to help them through this difficult time.”

Round 2 BIG funding was awarded to over 6,100 small businesses across the state, including 194 small businesses in the 8^th Senate District. $227 million was distributed in Round 2, totaling $276 million in small business relief since the program began.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), who administer the BIG Program, contacted all applicants that hadn’t received a response by Dec. 30, 2020 of their application status. Small businesses that did not receive funding can apply for assistance from their local Small Business Development Center.

For more information of the BIG Program, visit DCEO’s website.

Senate Dems welcome new members to the caucus

As the new session begins, the Senate is pleased to welcome four new members to the body. They bring a range of professional and personal experience as well as valuable subject matter knowledge, and we can’t wait to see what they will contribute to our work for the people of Illinois.

Read more.

Hunter gives back on MLK Day

CHICAGO — In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) partnered with Social Change to donate food and PPE at the Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church.

“People are still struggling to protect themselves from this virus while awaiting the wide distribution of the vaccine,” Hunter said. “PPE is still needed, and people are still in need of other basic necessities like food. Everyone loves to quote Dr. King, but those who follow in his footsteps are not as common.”

Read more.

Senator Sims, Illinois AFL-CIO debunk myths on criminal justice reform package

CHICAGO — State Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), who spearheaded the state’s comprehensive criminal justice reform package, is joining a well-known union group, the Illinois AFL-CIO, in disproving misinformation about House Bill 3653.

“Following dozens of hours of testimony during the fall months, I was proud to spearhead this measure to bridge the racial and socioeconomic divide in our criminal justice system, while keeping people safe,” Sims said. “There is a ton of misinformation about this legislation which says it will hinder the work of law enforcement officers — and that is simply not true. Most of the pieces of this measure are already in place at many law enforcement agencies.”

Read more.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senate President Don Harmon, Oak Park: Get to know Senate President Don Harmon | FarmWeekNow.com

Senator Rachelle Crowe, Glen Carbon: Crowe encourages Lincoln art submissions | The Telegraph

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, Maywood: Lame Duck Look Back: How the Black Caucus passed criminal justice reform | Capitol News Illinois

Senator Heather Steans, Chicago: State Sen. Heather Steans, Chicago Democrat who was the driving force behind marijuana legalization, resigns her seat | Chicago Tribune

Copyright 2021 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

AURORA – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) is pleased to announce the Fox Valley Montessori School in Aurora has received an Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Grant to fund a pollinator garden at the school.

“This is a great way of combining learning about Illinois habitats and repairing the fragile state of our pollinators’ habitat by letting kids get their hands dirty and enjoy some fresh air,” Holmes said. “Learning how pollinators are vital to our food supply is an important part of understanding how each of us can have a positive impact on our environment.”

The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Conservation Fund (ICF) to support the development or enhancement of wildlife habitat on the school grounds or other public places. Projects funded by these grants are meant to teach children that their actions can make a difference in the world while increasing the use of native plants in Illinois.

Funding for the program is provided through donations to the ICF. More than $329,000 in Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant funding has been distributed since the program’s inception. A total of $35,524.59 will be distributed in this round, and Fox Valley Montessori’s grant is for $718.50.

Applications for the next round of Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Grants will be open soon, with an application deadline of Nov. 30, 2021. More information on applying for the next round of grants can be found on the IDNR website.

SPRINGFIELD – Though the health care pillar of the Black Caucus’ agenda to end systemic racism didn’t pass the General Assembly last week due to a technical issue, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) has vowed to continue fighting toward a more equitable and inclusive health care system in Illinois.

“The fight for equal access to health care isn’t over,” Hunter said. “I plan to reintroduce and pass the health care agenda this spring.

In addition to increasing the accessibility of health care, the legislation would also put a halt on hospital closures, reform Medicaid managed care organizations, and advance community health worker certification and reimbursement.

Decreasing maternal and infant mortality, mental health and substance abuse, and medical implicit bias are also major goals of the Black Caucus health pillar.

“The measures in this legislation, such as a moratorium on hospital closures and the expansion of mental health and substance abuse treatments, can save lives,” Hunter said. “It will also radically transform our health care system, which is something my colleagues and I have worked toward for a long time.”

The Senate is set to reconvene again Tuesday, February 9^th.

SPRINGFIELD – Last week, both the Senate and the House approved an effort led by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to allow an early learning and youth development center to purchase the state-owned property it has occupied for decades from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

“I am happy both chambers have moved The Carole Robertson Center one step closer to reaching independence. The Center has been in need of renovations that the state is simply unable to perform,” Van Pelt said. “Selling off state property is not a move anybody involved makes lightly, but in this case, it is necessary. Under the Center’s ownership, it will become possible for thousands of disadvantaged children on Chicago’s West Side to benefit from renovations to the site.”