PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) wants all Illinoisans to have access to reliable broadband internet, so he’s leading the charge to bring services to rural parts of the state.

“When it comes to internet access and connectivity, rural communities have been left behind,” Koehler said. “This has created an opportunity gap that only widens the longer we wait to implement real, lasting solutions.”

Nearly 1.5 million households across the state do not have high speed broadband, and rural Illinoisans are 10% less likely to have broadband than urban and suburban Illinoisans—an infrastructure gap that has been shown to have serious economic consequences.

Senate Bill 2247 establishes a tax credit equal to 15% of the cost of equipment and materials for businesses that provide broadband internet services in counties with fewer than 40,000 residents, or in townships with a population density of less than 50 households per square mile in counties with less than 300,000 people.

DES PLAINES – More than two dozen local businesses across the district State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) represents will be awarded over $2 million from the Back to Business Program to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to her unwavering support of last year’s state budget.

“We created the Back to Business grant program to help our vibrant small business community recover from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” Murphy said. “We know companies’ bottom lines are still hurting, and we want to do all we can to help.”

Senator Fine works to alleviate stress for students in debt

SPRINGFIELD – Student debt is the second leading source of consumer debt in America, just behind mortgage loans. Illinois students across the state would have more options to protect themselves from falling behind on their student debt under a measure championed through the Higher Education Committee by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

“Student debt is an enormous burden on students and the economy,” Fine said. “This bill gives students a pathway to economic stability by creating a debt repayment plan that will rein in fees and interest charges. It also prohibits withholding of transcripts that may inhibit students from seeking employment.”

Read more.

Morrison fights for free-of-charge health services for survivors of sexual assault

SPRINGFIELD – To lessen the mental and emotional strain of receiving treatment and care following a sexual assault, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is fighting for survivors’ treatments and medications to be free-of-charge for up to 180 days following the assault.

“Recovery, both physical and emotional, from sexual assault takes time,” Morrison said. “Cost associated with treatment for sexual violence should not become added weight on the shoulders of someone already struggling.”

Read more.

Feigenholtz, Peters, Stadelman introduce measure to grow state's tech industry

SPRINGFIELD – To strengthen Illinois’ tech economy, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) introduced legislation that would allow smartphone app companies to do business directly with their customers and avoid a fee to smartphone companies.

“Governments create fair marketplaces in every industry with appropriate protections for entrepreneurs and consumers," Feigenholtz said. "Our laws need to catch up to the smartphone app economy by providing the legal freedom for businesses and their customers to work directly together.”

Read more.

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WAUKEGAN – Illinois families can avoid COVID-19 tax delays by getting a head start on filing tax returns. State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is encouraging Illinoisans to take advantage of the 17 day early start, beginning Jan. 24.

“With COVID-19 infections on the rise again, the IRS is warning Illinois families to file their taxes before things become challenging,” Johnson said. “Our communities have been faced with the unimaginable these last few years, so get a head start this new year and don’t be burdened by a missed opportunity.”

ELGIN – Gail Borden Public Library and Schaumburg Township District Library will be receiving grants from the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State to help them recover from the ongoing pandemic and expand their services thanks to support from State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“I’m proud to see these two libraries receiving this grant at such a critical time,” Castro said. “From teaming with my office to host events like job fairs and vaccine clinics to putting on virtual story times for families, they are both important fixtures in our community.”

The Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin received $25,187 and Schaumburg Township District Library received $18,229 of the nearly $6 million total in grants being awarded by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White to libraries across Illinois.

The purpose of these grants is to allow libraries to develop resources for their local job seekers, expand digital inclusion efforts and ensure all operations can be provided safely and effectively as the pandemic continues.

“We are so pleased that Senator Castro and other state legislators as well as the governor for helping fund this grant program,” said Denise Raleigh, Division Chief of Public Relations and Development at Gail Borden Public Library. “We appreciate their wise decision to enable us as libraries to use this investment to impact our communities in such positive ways – adding literacy resources, access to the Internet and other assistance services, and providing needed programs.”  

For a full list of libraries receiving a grant, click here.

PEORIA – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) accepted the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association/Ag-Solve’s Friend of Agriculture award in Peoria on Wednesday.

“It’s a privilege to advocate for our farmers and farm families at the state level,” Bennett, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said. “I would like to express my appreciation for this award in recognition of the work we’ve been able to accomplish for the agriculture industry.”

Bennett spoke to IFCA/Ag-Solve members about his legislative work advocating for the agriculture industry and was later recognized for his support. IFCA/Ag-Solve represents the crop production supply and service industry and promotes sound stewardship and utilization of agricultural inputs.

CHICAGO – To bring working people back into the job market, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is leading an initiative to offer businesses a tax credit to hire employees who lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Over one and a half million people across Illinois have filed for unemployment since the start of the pandemic,” Villivalam said. “We must do right by working people and our small business community by incentivizing growth during this difficult time.”

GRAYSLAKE – Thanks to support from State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) to provide assistance to local libraries for pandemic recovery, three facilities in the district she represents will receive more than $150,000 in combined grants to grow and enhance their services.

“School libraries provide a safe, welcoming space for students to learn and grow,” Bush said. “Some of my fondest memories from grade school were picking out books or participating in library programs with my friends. I wish for all students to have that same opportunity.”