SPRINGFIELD – To connect with community members during the Stay at Home Order and stay up to date on the issues affecting her district, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) hosted a Telephone Town Hall event Thursday evening, which also featured input from medical and public health experts.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I haven’t been able to speak to constituents in person for the past few weeks,” said Murphy. “This Telephone Town Hall was a great opportunity to hear from my neighbors about the challenges they’re facing and offer my assistance in any way I can.”

The Telephone Town Hall gave local residents a chance to voice their opinions and share their input on legislative initiatives important to the area and the state. Callers were invited to submit questions over the phone and by email.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is pleased to announce the Illinois secretary of state’s announcement of the opening of a drive-vehicle registration facility in Rockford, beginning Tuesday.

“I’d like to thank the Secretary of State for including Rockford in the first stage of his reopening plan,” Stadelman said. “Access to facilities like the DMV are a necessary part of moving forward and getting back to some semblance of normal, everyday life.”

The facility will only be offering drive-thru services for vehicle registration sticker transactions. According to the Secretary of State’s office, the opening of the facility is the first step of a reopening plan that will be announced in the coming days. The plan will include guidance on how to properly protect customers and employees.

“My commitment is to do everything we can to help protect the health and safety of our residents, while providing services to the people of Illinois,” said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. “This first step in a reopening plan adheres to this commitment.”

Hours of operation for the Rockford facility will be Tuesday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to noon.

All expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and vehicle registrations have been extended at least 90 days after Driver Services facilities fully reopen. The federal government has also extended the REAL ID deadline by one year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline is now October 1, 2021.

Stadelman continues to urge the residents to renew their vehicle registration stickers online at  www.cyberdriveillinois.com for anyone who can do so. Residents can also renew their driver’s license online through the Safe Driver Renewal program, as well as obtain duplicate driver’s licenses and ID cards.

DOLTON – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) is pleased to learn the Illinois Department of Public Health has updated its guidance on allowing dental providers to resume routine oral and dental care beginning this week.

“Being on a Stay At Home Order for nearly two months may have resulted in many people needing oral care,” Harris said. “IDPH allowing dentist’s office to reopen for routine care is a step forward and shows understanding that oral treatment is an essential service.”  

IDPH says to yield good procedural outcomes, oral health providers should consider their patient's health care needs, assess the risks and benefits of any procedures, and appropriately screen patients for COVID-19. Patients will need to be symptom free and have their temperature taken. Dentists will need to address their use of masks, face guards, and suction devices.

“Dental offices will have to follow health guidelines by providing their employees with PPE,” Harris said. “It’s important necessary precautions are taken into account for the patient and employee before dental offices reopen their doors.”  

Dentists gave up their PPE in the early days of the pandemic for hospitals, first responders and nursing homes. Now they have difficulty getting what they need to resume dental care. 

“Patients have been waiting to get back to their dentists and, even though now we have the green light from the IDPH, we are in need of PPE to meet their guidelines,” said Dave Marsh, Director of Governmental Affairs with the Illinois State Dental Society. “Of course, we recognize the highest priorities for PPE in health care settings, but we will be seeking a higher priority for masks and face shields for our profession.”

More details from IDPH are here.

GLENVIEW – To protect employees and consumers from the spread of COVID-19 as businesses begin reopening, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is calling attention to new guidelines to help employers ensure their workplaces and businesses are safe.

“As businesses across the state begin to reopen, it’s important that people are able to work and shop without putting their health and safety at risk,” said Fine. “By following these guidelines, employers can be certain they’re operating responsibly.”

At the end of April, Gov. Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-32 to provide specific regulations for businesses and workplaces. All employers with workers physically reporting to a worksite must post this guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Office of the Illinois Attorney General regarding workplace safety during the COVID-19 emergency. 

As businesses begin to reopen, employers will be required to provide face masks for employees who are unable to adhere to social distancing requirements. Businesses must also observe other measures, like limiting occupancy and staggering shifts to ensure workers can maintain six feet of social distancing.

Other requirements and guidelines for employers to help limit the spread of COVID-19 can be found in this FAQ, issued by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

If your place of work is not adhering to these new guidelines, please report violations to a certified local health department or IDPH. The Office of the Illinois Attorney General is also accepting complaints through their Workplace Rights Bureau at 844-740-5076 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Up-to-date information and resources related to the status of COVID-19 in Illinois can be found at coronavirus.illinois.gov. Fine’s office is currently closed, but her staff is working remotely and responding to calls and emails. With questions or concerns, call 847-998-1717 or visit senatorfine.com/contact.

WOOD RIVER – State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced the top three winners from her art contest celebrating the 100th anniversary of women receiving the right to vote Friday.

“I want to commend all of the students who participated in the contest. I was thoroughly impressed by every entry centered around a theme I am so proud to highlight,” Crowe said. “I hope students found this experience as fun and inspiring as I did as the host.”

In April, Crowe launched an educational art contest in response to statewide school closures to give students a project to keep them occupied at home. Students ranging from first to tenth grade created original pieces of artwork centered around the theme of constitutional equality in recognition of 2020 being the centennial of ratifying the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.

The finalists’ artwork were divided into three groups, elementary, middle and high school, and put on Crowe’s Facebook page, where students and residents had the opportunity to choose the winners. The winning pieces will be put on display in the senator’s office and they will receive certificates and a gift card to a local, small business of their choosing. The winners are Eden Beasley, Mia Muniz and Corrina Pohlman (artwork left to right).

PLAINFIELD —State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) and her colleagues from Will County have expressed uneasiness their part of the state could have a delayed reopening. Under the governor’s plan, Will County is in the same region as Cook County, which has unique challenges and should be addressed separately.

“Families and businesses are struggling. Most people I speak with understand the need for caution, but are prepared to work under new safety precautions,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “If my district stayed in the same region as Chicago and Cook County, it would most likely be the last part of the state to open.”

Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) is among those expressing their concerns.

"I think there's a way to balance public health and the reopening of many businesses but it will take the cooperation of the community,” Manley said. “The last thing we want is to crush the hospital system and endanger the health and safety of our first responders"    

As of Thursday, Will County had 4,000 positive cases of COVID-19 and 230 deaths. In comparison, Cook County had over 24,000 positive cases and 1,100 deaths. Furthermore, with social distancing at the forefront of keeping the virus asunder, Will County’s population compared to Chicago’s population as well as square miles clearly shows distinct differences between the two areas.

Bertino-Tarrant is starting a discussion with the Will County Health Department to address the needs of local communities to be prepared if the governor adjusts the reopening plan based on the county’s ability to offer alternatives.

“Any plan needs to address safety guidelines, hospital and ventilator capacities and PPE availability. Furthermore, it needs to be led by the Will County Health Department, who has the responsibility of monitoring and reporting,” Bertino-Tarrant offered. “The legislators I have spoken to understand the needs to have a reasonable balance, with individual health concerns being the number one priority.”

Rep. John Connor (D-Lockport) will work with Bertino-Tarrant and the Will County Health Department in hopes of gathering as much information as possible to determine if the area is ready to go to the next phase.

"I look forward to reviewing the relevant data with the Will County Health Department and other agencies to determine if Will County's current district placement is the best possible fit moving forward in this pandemic,” Connor said.

Additionally, less than 700,000 people make up Will County, compared to the more than 5.15 million people who live in Cook County.

"Governor Pritzker is right that one must have a life to have a livelihood,” said Senator Pat McGuire (D-Crest Hill). “If local health departments have suggestions how residents of COVID-19 low-incidence areas safely can have both, I hope the governor will consider them."

CHICAGO – After Hilco Redevelopment Partners were approved to resume their demolition of the Crawford Coal plant in Little Village, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“It is unconscionable and careless for Hilco to continue their demolition of the Crawford Coal plant after they already caused so much damage and covered our neighborhood in a dust cloud. Their track record proves that they do not value the public health of our community, which already has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the state.

“The City’s decision to reauthorize the demolition is irresponsible and downright disrespectful to our community. Official notice still has not be given to neighbors, which is completely unacceptable.

“The City cannot say that it prioritizes the health of black and brown communities and then allow a known polluter to continue their demolition. The mayor needs to deny the demolition permits and to stop work on the site immediately. We deserve actual protection during this crisis, not lip service.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Emil Jones, III is pleased to learn the Illinois Department of Public Health has updated its guidance on allowing dental providers to resume routine oral and dental care beginning this week.

“Regular dental visits are essential because they help keep your teeth and gums healthy, which is why I am pleased to see IPDH allowing dentist to resume routine oral care on urgent patients,” Jones (D-Chicago) said. “Dental offices will have to follow health guidelines, so if you are in need of a dental treatment, I suggest you give your dentist a call.” 

IDPH says to yield good procedural outcomes, oral health providers should consider their patient's health care needs, assess the risks and benefits of any procedures, and appropriately screen patients for COVID-19. Patients will need to be symptom free and have their temperature taken. Dentists will need to address their use of masks, face guards, and suction devices.

Dentists gave up their PPE in the early days of the pandemic for hospitals, first responders and nursing homes. Now they have difficulty getting what they need to resume dental care. 

“Patients have been waiting to get back to their dentists and, even though now we have the green light from the IDPH, we are in need of PPE to meet their guidelines,” said Dave Marsh, Director of Governmental Affairs with the Illinois State Dental Society. “Of course, we recognize the highest priorities for PPE in health care settings, but we will be seeking a higher priority for masks and face shields for our profession.”

More details from IDPH are here.