ROCKFORD –Thanks to support from State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) to provide assistance to local libraries for pandemic recovery, two libraries in the district he represents will receive nearly $75,000 in combined grants to grow and enhance their services.

“Libraries have been a valued resource for continued education, growth, and community development throughout the pandemic,” Stadelman said. “This grant program provides the resources needed for libraries to ensure residents are connected to these tools.”

The initiative is aimed to respond directly to difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant provides funding for libraries to modify services, transform spaces and develop resources for their local recovering workforce and to ensure all operations can be provided safely and effectively as the pandemic continues.

VILLA PARK – Thanks to support from State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), two local libraries in the district he represents were awarded grants to respond to difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m happy to see that two libraries in our community were awarded these grants to expand their services and help them recover from the ongoing pandemic,” Cullerton said. “The resources provided by these institutions is irreplaceable, especially during these difficult times.”

Wood Dale Public Library is receiving $24,973 and Roselle Public Library is receiving $13,279 of the nearly $6 million being awarded by the Illinois Office of the Secretary of State.

The grants were awarded to allow libraries to help provide resources to job seekers, expand digital inclusion efforts and increase their capacity to keep their spaces clean, safe and healthy as the state works to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

CHICAGO –Thanks to support from State Senator Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) to provide aid to libraries for pandemic recovery, the Schiller Park Public Library will receive nearly $6,000 to enhance its services.

“Libraries serve the public with information and opportunities to learn and prosper,” Martwick said. “This grant provides more resources to the library that will benefit people throughout the Shiller Park community.”  

The library grant program is aimed at responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and providing funds for libraries. Grant recipients can use the funding to modify services, transform spaces and develop resources for their local recovering workforce and to ensure all operations can be provided safely and effectively as the pandemic continues.

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) on Tuesday.

Under Senator Fine’s legislation, universities would be prohibited from withholding transcripts as a means of debt collection. 

CHICAGO – To strengthen Illinois’ tech economy, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is sponsoring legislation that would allow consumers to buy directly from smartphone apps avoiding a 30% fee smartphone companies currently collect - directly benefiting Illinois companies. Alongside other legislators and stakeholders, Feigenholtz will announce the measure during a virtual press conference Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Senate Bill 3417, Freedom to Subscribe Directly Act, would provide smartphone app companies with the legal right to do business directly with their customers, overriding current smartphone app store policies. Current policies force customers to pay the smartphone company — Google or Apple — not the app company providing the service. Google and Apple charge as much as 30% of total revenues, extracting hundreds of millions from Illinois companies.

Senator Fine prioritizes suicide prevention with new 9-8-8 hotline

SPRINGFIELD – Individuals in crisis nationwide will soon be able to utilize a 9-8-8 universal hotline number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which would be funded and maintained in Illinois under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

“A fully functioning and well-funded crisis hotline is critical to prevent suicides nationwide,” Senator Fine said. “Mental health is as important as physical health, and 9-8-8 will soon become a household number that is as easily remembered in times of crisis as 9-1-1.”

Read more.

Morrison prioritizes spouses of long-term care facility patients in new legislation

SPRINGFIELD – Spouses of people in Medicaid-funded long-term care facilities could soon be able to keep more of their own personal savings thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest).

“Far too often, spouses of older adults in long-term care facilities are forced to pay high out-of-pocket rates for their own medical needs to ensure their loved one can keep their care,” Morrison said. “By aligning Illinois’ allowance for community spouses with the rest of the country, we are signaling to older adults that we care for them and wish to give them the ability to care for themselves and their spouse with no added stress.”

Read more.

Koehler's law brings changes to FOID card system in 2022

PEORIA – A law sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler, a longtime advocate to streamline the FOID card process for responsible gun owners, took effect Jan. 1.

“This law will address a years-long backlog of FOID card applications across Illinois while closing loopholes that allow firearms to fall into dangerous hands,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “The modernized system will save time and money for lawful applicants, and will allow the Illinois State Police to more fully dedicate its resources to reducing gun violence.”

Read more.

We are hiring!

Interested in working for the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus? We are now hiring District Outreach Specialists. District Outreach Specialists will work in state senators’ district offices within an assigned region to coordinate outreach events and help district offices with constituent services. Learn more and apply here.

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International Snowmobile Safety Week is Jan. 15-23

HERSCHER – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) echoes calls from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to remind snowmobilers to stay safe this winter.

“Enjoy the trails when the snow finally falls, but make sure to stay safe when riding your snowmobile,” Joyce said. “Stay safe on your snowmobile this winter and remember that you have a family back home. Accidents are preventable if we all follow the rules.”

Here are some basic safety tips for snowmobilers of all experience:

• Know your equipment, and double check that all of your equipment is in working order.
• Drowning is one cause of snowmobile fatalities; avoid thin ice.
• Know the weather forecast.
• Travel at a reasonable rate of speed for visibility and conditions.
• Always use the buddy system and never ride alone or unaccompanied.

“In most instances, knowing the trail and traveling at a reasonable rate of speed for trail conditions can prevent accidents,” Jeff Hopkins, IDNR Safety Education Administrator. “Staying alert and sober is a must. Unfortunately, far too many accidents involve impaired operators, resulting in injuries and fatalities.”

Snowmobile safety information is available on the IDNR website.

GLENVIEW – Libraries in Evanston, Glenview and Northbrook will be given nearly $100,000 in grants thanks to Secretary of State Jesse White, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced Tuesday.

“Libraries are a vital resource for continued education, growth, community and outreach,” Senator Fine said. “This grant ensures their resources are available to all community members, especially people who are concerned about their safety in these unprecedented times.

The initiative is aimed to respond directly to difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant provides funding for libraries to modify services, transform spaces and develop resources for their local recovering workforce and to ensure all operations can be provided safely and effectively as the pandemic continues.