CHICAGO – In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state’s economy and more specifically, Illinois’ transportation and infrastructure system and workforce, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, led a virtual hearing focused on transparency and diversity goals as it relates to contracts with the Illinois Tollway Authority. 

Among those who gave testimony to the committee were representatives from the Illinois Tollway Authority, the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, the African American Contractors Association, the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, the Federation of Women Contractors, and the Asian American Contractors Enterprise.

CHAMPAIGN – In a victory for the Champaign-Urbana business community, Business Interruption Grants have been awarded to 50 local businesses severely impacted by the COVID-19 closures, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Thursday.

“Our small business community continues to be hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis,” Bennett said. “These grants offer assistance to businesses at a time they need it most, and hopefully will allow them to get back on their feet.”

Businesses from the Champaign-Urbana area received a combined $910,000 in grants. Grant recipients span a wide range of industries, including restaurants, retail, personal care services and more.

SPRINGFIELD – To restore the public’s trust in their elected officials in light of recent allegations of corruption within the Illinois government, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) joined her colleagues in the House and Senate to support a set of measures to overhaul ethics laws in Illinois.

The legislative package includes nine proposals to increase transparency in all levels of state government. The lawmakers gathered Thursday to call on the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform to consider recommending the measures in their final report.

“Government officials should be working for their constituents, not themselves,” said Fine. “These steps have the potential to create long-term change to root out corruption and dishonesty in our state government.”

SPRINGFIELD – In response to ongoing federal investigations surrounding Illinois government, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) is calling on the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform to consider including in their final report sweeping measures that would overhaul ethics laws in Illinois.

Manar has spent his career in Springfield advocating for stronger ethics laws, sponsoring a 2017 piece of legislation that closed loopholes allowing Cabinet-level appointees of the Illinois governor to use official positions to campaign for candidates. Additionally, he was a Senate sponsor on a 2019 piece of legislation that created the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform.

Lawmakers encourage passage of nine specific measures during upcoming Veto Session.

In the wake of the numerous, ongoing federal investigations involving bribery, influence peddling and insider-trading impacting state government officials and lobbyists, a broad coalition of lawmakers gathered today to announce their support for nine specific ethics reform measures that they believe could receive bi-partisan support in the upcoming veto session.

Democratic lawmakers from both the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate say their proposals would dramatically increase transparency and take meaningful strides toward restoring public trust in state government. Specifically, lawmakers point to nine steps that relate directly to the activities of lobbyists, legislators, and General Assembly leadership:

OAK PARK – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) announced a grant of $12,500 to fund a mentoring program at Elmwood Park Library.

“Libraries provide a wide array of services to our communities, including valuable programming for young adults,” Harmon said. “This grant will help students gain skills that will set them up for success.”

The funding comes from Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White’s 2021 Project Next Generation grants to 28 public libraries statewide. PNG is a mentoring program created by Secretary White and administered through Illinois public libraries. Project mentors work with middle and high school students as the participants develop skills to use various technologies, achieve success through project-based learning and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal-setting and conflict resolution.

“I am committed to improving the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois,” said White.  “I established this innovative program when I first became Secretary of State to give students an opportunity to receive hands-on experience with the latest technological tools at their local library.”

Projects were awarded grants from the Illinois State Library using federal Library Services and Technology Act funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Grants are awarded to public libraries serving culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations. For more information, visit http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/grants/png.html.

GLENVIEW – To address the widespread shortage of donated blood and potentially help treat patients with severe cases of COVID-19, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is hosting a blood drive Thursday, Aug. 27 from noon to 6 p.m. at Glenview Village Hall, located at 2500 E. Lake Avenue.

“Since the pandemic began in March, blood donations have been critically low. With more researchers looking into plasma therapy as a potential COVID-19 treatment, we need more donations from people with antibodies,” said Fine. “Donating blood is always important, but right now it could help us fight this virus.”

All successful blood donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Researchers hope blood containing antibodies—also known as convalescent plasma—may help treat people with severe COVID-19 by boosting their ability to fight the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 17.2 million units of blood are used in transfusions every year for accident victims, cancer patients, hemophiliacs, surgery patients and more. In March, the CDC issued a statement encouraging healthy people to donate blood at blood centers that adhere to public health and safety guidelines.

Fine has partnered with Vitalant to host the event. To ensure the safety of all staff and donors, masks will be required.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment to donate, call 877-258-4825 or visit www.Vitalant.org and use the group code 857A.

CHICAGO – Illinoisans across the state have faced financial struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic — but those on Chicago’s South Side have been disproportionately affected. Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is urging those residents to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program.

“People desperately need help with rent,” Hunter said. “Though residents can’t get evicted right now, they will still need to pay their rent at some point. It’s my hope the program will help those who have been unemployed or not receiving income due to COVID-19 to catch up on their bills.”

Earlier this week, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced $150 million in available funds to help residents across the state during this national emergency by introducing the largest housing assistance program in the nation.

Tenants whose applications are approved will receive one-time grants of up to $5,000 paid directly to their landlords to cover missed rent payments beginning March 2020 and prepay payments through December 2020, or until the $5,000 is exhausted, whichever comes first.

Tenants are eligible if:

• Their household income before March 1, 2020 was at or below 80% of the Area Median Income,
• An adult member of the household had a loss of income due to the COVID-19 crisis on or after March 1, 2020; or
• A household has an unpaid rent balance that began on or after March 1, 2020.

“Helping people most in need is what the government is supposed to do,” Hunter said. “I’m proud our state is able to do something impactful during this time.”

Residents who are eligible may apply online at era.idha.org. Applications for ERA will be accepted now through Aug. 21.

Please note, applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the application window may close early due to high volume.