EAST ST. LOUIS – Communities throughout the Metro East that without functional wastewater infrastructure are encouraged by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) to apply for grant funding to bring proper facilities to the area.

“Disadvantaged communities do not always have functional wastewater infrastructure,” Belt said. “This leaves homes and businesses at a higher risk of damage. Providing support for these improvements protects the infrastructure and lives in disadvantaged communities.”

A total of $1 million is available for grants through the Unsewered Communities Planning Grant Program, which assists small and disadvantaged communities in developing a project plan that identifies a solution to wastewater collection and treatment needs. The funding, available through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, provides an opportunity to develop a plan that will address problems associated with the collection and treatment of wastewater in an unsewered community. This can be used in an application for a project that would be funded by the Illinois Unsewered Communities Construction Grant Program.

KANKAKEE – A new law on the books will prevent children’s lemonade stands from being shut down for not having a permit thanks to State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex).

This new law was inspired by 12-year-old Hayli Martinez, whose lemonade stand in Kankakee was flagged by local officials and shut down.

“All kids deserve the chance to learn entrepreneurship from an early age,” Joyce said. “Hayli’s Law is a good step toward making that happen and will allow our young entrepreneurs to dream big without any hurdles.”

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is reminding Illinois drivers that they will now have an additional three months to renew their licenses and ID cards.

“Eliminating long lines and crowded facilities is one step we are taking to help control and slow the spread of COVID-19,” Stadelman said. “With many of the services available online and the new extension, there is no need to hurry to a brick-and-mortar facility to renew your license.”

Secretary of State Jesse White’s office announced Friday that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards has been extended an additional three months to March 31, 2022. However, the new expiration date does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses. The extension comes as secretary of state offices across Illinois continue to get caught up following COVID-19-related closures to their daily operations.

MARYVILLE – State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is reminding Illinois drivers they will now have an additional three months to renew their licenses as the Secretary of State extends the deadline once again.

“To ensure residents are covered while DMV employees work to respond to heavy customer volumes, allotting extra time to expiration dates ensures operations continue smoothly,” Crowe said. “With extended deadlines to get into a facility, people now have more time to renew state licenses and identification cards without worrying about waiting in long lines.”

Secretary of State Jesse White’s office announced Friday that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards has been extended an additional three months to March 31, 2022. However, the new expiration date does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses. The extension comes as secretary of state offices across Illinois continue to get caught up following COVID-19-related closures to their daily operations.

To cut down on long lines and wait times, Crowe encourages individuals to take advantage of the secretary of state’s online services at ilsos.gov. These services include:

• Renewing a vehicle registration;
• Applying for a vehicle title and registration;
• Obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card;
• Obtaining a driving record abstract;
• Renewing a standard driver’s license with the Safe Driver Renewal program.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has also extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023. Current Illinois driver’s licenses or ID cards will continue to be accepted at airports, military bases and secure federal facilities.

For more information and to take advantage of online services, including license plate renewal, people can visit ilsos.gov.

MAYWOOD – Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), is excited to announce the new $12 per hour minimum wage in Illinois is starting Jan. 1, 2022.

“Even before the pandemic, many working families were struggling,” Lightford, chief sponsor of the 2019 law raising the minimum wage, said. “This increase won’t solve all of their problems, but it will surely help.”

CHAMPAIGN – Starting Jan. 1, pharmaceutical companies are required to post a notice informing consumers that they may request current pharmacy retail prices at the point of sale, thanks to State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign).

“Drug price transparency plays a key role in reducing the rising prices of prescription medications,” Bennett said. “People have the right to know which payment method – insurance or cash – would provide the most savings when purchasing their prescriptions.”

Peter's expansion to Reimagine Public Safety Act becomes law

CHICAGO – More communities are a step closer to addressing the problem of firearm violence related crimes after State Senator Robert Peters’ (D-Chicago) measure to bring gun violence prevention training and services to more areas was signed into law.

“The recent rise in gun violence will not be addressed until we change the policies that disproportionately have a negative impact on Black and Brown communities,” Peters said. “Soon, we will be able to work hand-in-hand with affected communities, intervening with at risk youth, supporting survivors and working from the bottom-up rather than the top-down. People in Illinois deserve public safety for all, not theater.”

Read more.

Illinois midwives can now work with doctors, hospitals to provide care

CHICAGO – A victory decades in the making, certified professional midwives will now be legal and licensed, giving them the ability to coordinate care with doctors and purchase necessary medications, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“The demand for home birth services has been on the rise, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, and this law will help ensure that mothers who opt for a home birth can have one safely,” Castro said. “While I’m proud to have carried this measure across the finish line, I applaud all the hard work of the advocates and legislators who worked on this law before me.”

Read more.

Loughran Cappel law ends utility fees for deceased starting Jan. 1

SPRINGFIELD – Starting Jan. 1, grieving family members will have one less task to worry about, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) that ends early termination fees for utility customers who die before the end of a contract.

“While a family is grieving the loss of a loved one, the last thing they want to deal with is pesky utility fees,” Loughran Cappel said. “The new law will end this unfair practice and protect working families from unnecessary bills.”

Read more.

Airline employees may now use sick time to care for family

CHICAGO – Airline employees may use sick time to care for family members now that legislation sponsored by State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) was signed into law.

“Access to paid family and medical leave is essential for the future of work,” Villivalam said. “Airline workers shouldn’t have to choose between caring for sick loved ones and keeping food on the table and a roof over their heads.”

Read more.

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DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is reminding Illinois drivers they will now have an additional three months to renew their licenses.

“Throughout the pandemic, our local secretary of state offices have prioritized the health and safety of its workers and our community,” Murphy said. “By extending the deadline, we are giving everyone a fair chance to get their licenses renewed on time without waiting in line for hours.”