Sidebar Menu
- Details
- Category: Senator Celina Villanueva News
CHICAGO – After the Hilco Redevelopment Partners’ demolition of the Crawford Coal plant sent a dust cloud racing through the Little Village neighborhood, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement:
“Hilco’s decision to demolish the Crawford plant on a holiday weekend during a pandemic that has caused respiratory issues for thousands of people was reckless and inexcusable. The lack of consideration for our community is appalling and our families and essential workers could suffer for it.
Read more: Villanueva outraged at Hilco demolition for putting community at risk
- Details
- Category: Senator Andy Manar News
BUNKER HILL - State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) is emphasizing the importance of mental health wellness and encouraging Illinois residents to use resources and services available for those experiencing heightened levels of stress related to COVID-19.
“This pandemic has cast a great deal of stress into our lives over a very short period of time,” Manar said. “If you are dealing with heightened levels of anxiety or depression as a result, please know that you are not alone. We are all in this together, and there are people and resources available to help you work through this.”
The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division is operating Call4Calm, a free emotional support text line for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19.
Illinoisans who would like to speak with a mental health professional can text “TALK” to 5-5-2-0-2-0. Once a resident sends a text to the hotline, within 24 hours they will receive a call from a counselor employed by a local community mental health center to provide support. Individuals can also text key words such as “unemployment” or “food” or “shelter” and will receive information on pertinent resources and services.
Additionally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has published a COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide to answer frequently asked questions regarding the intersection between the novel coronavirus and people affected by mental illness, their caregivers and loved ones. The guide features FAQs on a variety of topics, from managing anxiety and social isolation to accessing health care and medications.
“Stigma, misinformation, and lack of access to support are just a few factors that can intensify fear and anxiety caused by economic distress,” Manar said. “It’s more important than ever that we look out for friends and neighbors and ensure that we and our loved ones have healthy coping mechanisms for managing stress.”
- Details
- Category: Senator Sara Feigenholtz News
CHICAGO – With Illinois’ Stay at Home Order extended through April 30, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz, along with State Representatives Ann Williams and Yoni Pizer, will host a virtual forum focused on mental health and wellness during the pandemic.
“The COVID-19 outbreak and Stay at Home Order are particularly difficult for people with mental health challenges,” Feigenholtz said. “The goal of this forum is to connect constituents with expert panelists who can provide a toolbox of coping mechanisms, tips and mental health resources.”
The forum will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, April 15 from 10:30-11:45 a.m. with mental health experts, including:
- Alexa James, LCSW – Executive Director, NAMI Chicago,
- Carri Hill, Ph.D. – Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Jewish Child and Family Services,
- Hossam Mahmoud, M.D. M.P.H. – Medical Director, Insight + Regroup.
Following presentations from the panelists, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.
“This is a great opportunity to connect with others and learn more about what you can do to stay well during the Stay at Home Order,” Feigenholtz said. “I encourage everyone to make time and participate.”
A form to RSVP for the forum and receive a Zoom link to participate is available here.
Those who are unable to participate in the forum are encouraged to take advantage of available mental health resources. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a help line at 833-626-4244 for individuals facing mental health crises. You can also text NAMI to 741741 for support through text messages.
- Details
- Category: Senator Iris Y. Martinez News
CHICAGO — More scams are popping up as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak, and Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) urges people to be careful when responding to requests for money or personal information.
“We can all understand the desire to help others during this time, but I can’t stress the importance of using extreme caution when giving personal information over the phone or computer,” Martinez said.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul said attorneys general from across the nation have seen an increase in reports of people posing as charitable organizations or public health agencies. Those scams, according to Raoul, include cyber scams, telephone and text messaging scams, counterfeit product offers, bogus door-to-door offers of tests and products related to the coronavirus and solicitations for donations to phony charities.
Some of the most common scams seen by Raoul include:
• Emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and other health care organizations, offering to share information about the virus;
• Emails asking for the verification of personal data, including Medicare or Medicaid information, in exchange for receiving economic stimulus funds or other benefits from the government;
• Email phishing scams, text messages from unknown sources which may include hyperlinks to what appear to be automated pandemic updates, or interactive infection maps;
• COVID-19 vaccinations and home test kits that are made online, in stores, through electronic messages or over the phone.
For more information or to report scams connected to COVID-19, please visit the attorney general’s website: https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/.
- Details
- Category: Senator Linda Holmes News
Aurora, Ill. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) is encouraging women who want to restart their education to apply for the annual Conference of Women Legislators’ Scholarship Awards Program.
COWL is a bipartisan, bicameral, nonprofit organization of women legislators in the Illinois General Assembly and has announced the 2020-2021 Annual Scholarship Awards Program. COWL created the scholarship program as part of its mission to promote economic independence, community service and leadership development.
Read more: Senate Leader Holmes supports scholarships for women returning to education
- Details
- Category: Senator Julie A. Morrison News
DEERFIELD — The Illinois State Police announced Thursday new renewal requirements for Firearm Owner Identification cards, which State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) will allow for closer examination of people who have submitted renewal applications.
“The state police now has more time to analyze each renewal application to make sure no one slips through the cracks,” Morrison said. “The order from ISP also empowers them to prioritize the work they know will be most important in preventing gun violence.”
The emergency rule — which took effect upon announcement Thursday — extends the expiration date of FOID cards through the duration of the state’s disaster proclamation and for an additional 12 months following the termination of the disaster.
However, the Illinois State Police will continue to enforce FOID prohibitions.
Morrison has been a steadfast force behind gun control legislation since first joining the Illinois Senate. Most notably, she spearheaded and successfully passed the Red Flag Law, which allows a family member or law enforcement official to alert the court system when an individual with access to a firearm is displaying threatening or unsafe behavior that could lead to injury to themselves or to the general public.
“I applaud ISP’s decision and am confident it will lead to less senseless gun violence down the road,” Morrison said. “There is no doubt that a closer look into who is obtaining these licenses and firearms will be better for all of us.”
- Details
- Category: Senator Celina Villanueva News
CHICAGO – With working families facing food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) is promoting the state’s expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“Thousands of people have been thrown out of work and need to feed their families,” Villanueva said. “We can’t allow the most vulnerable among us to go hungry during this crisis.”
The Illinois Department of Human Services announced that all SNAP recipients and new applicants will receive the maximum benefit beginning this week, impacting over 450,000 households. The increased benefits will be loaded onto Link cards automatically through May, so there is no need to call or re-apply.
Read more: SNAP recipients will receive maximum benefits through May
- Details
- Category: Senator Scott Bennett News
CHAMPAIGN - To help drivers share the road with farm equipment, Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) urges farmers to use caution when they see a slow moving tractor or other piece of equipment on the road.
While Illinoisans are staying home to slow the spread of coronavirus, farmers are still performing essential work during the 2020 planting season, which means drivers performing essential travel are sharing the road with more farm machinery.
“Spring planting is an especially busy time for farmers and that brings additional risks to agriculture workers,” Senator Bennett said. “We’re seeing reduced vehicular traffic right now from the Stay at Home Order, but farmers and motorists are still expected to slow down and be safe, courteous drivers.”
Read more: Bennett advises drivers and farmers to practice safety during spring planting
More Articles ...
Follow ILSenDems
SPRINGFIELD OFFICE
(217) 782-2728
327 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
 © 2021 Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus    |
CHICAGO OFFICE
(312) 814-2075
160 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 720
Chicago, IL 60601