LOCKPORT – In an effort to support and promote small businesses ahead of the holiday season, State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) is launching a social media campaign to feature local small businesses.

“Small businesses bring so much life to our communities,” Connor said. “Through the challenges of the pandemic, they worked to provide necessary services to keep our economy running.”

FRANKFORT – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) is reminding the residents of the fighting 19^th District to support local businesses this holiday season.

As families kick off their shopping this year, Hastings urges people to frequent local businesses on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27.

“When you support local businesses you are investing directly in our communities,” Hastings said. “These local dollars are going toward creating jobs for our friends and neighbors, and improving our roads, streets and bridges.

PEORIA – With winter weather on the horizon, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is urging residents to use the Getting Around Illinois road conditions map to ensure safe travel this winter.

“Driving on snowy, icy roads can be challenging and dangerous, whether you’re a new driver or have been on the road for decades,” Koehler said. “We all want to get to our destinations safely, and Getting Around Illinois can help us achieve that goal.”

The revamped map will show how weather events are impacting roads under the jurisdictions of the more than 120 snow-and-ice removal teams that work out of Illinois Department of Transportation facilities throughout the state. Additionally, conditions on interstates and U.S. routes, which carry the most traffic in Illinois, will be given priority reporting status and appear more boldly on the map.

“Illinois winters are notorious for changing quickly and drastically, sometimes over just a few miles. These improvements to Getting Around Illinois will give travelers information that’s more reliable and more local,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “I urge you to bookmark and regularly check this valuable resource to help you stay safe and prepared throughout the winter.”

GettingAroundIllinois.com is available on both computers and smartphones, with the winter road conditions feature alone averaging more than 2.5 million views each year. A short video on how to use the new map and review conditions can be viewed here.

PLAINFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is urging Will and Kendall County residents to shop, think and buy local this holiday season.

As families kick off their shopping this year, Loughran Cappel is reminding residents to frequent local businesses on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27.

“Successful local businesses generate endless opportunities to grow and develop our local economy,” Loughran Cappel said. “Our entrepreneurs make investments in our communities every day, now it is our time to invest in them.”

Illinois Senate Democrats encourage renters, landlords to apply for financial assistance

Renters and landlords experiencing pandemic-related financial hardships will be able to apply for help through the Illinois Housing Development Authority early next month.

In the first round of the Illinois Rental Payment program that was launched in May, the Illinois Housing Development Authority reviewed all completed applications, approved more than 57,000 applications and paid out nearly $540 million on behalf of renters experiencing pandemic-related hardships. Since 2020, the state has provided over $776 million in emergency rental assistance to help keep more than 103,100 Illinois seniors, families and others safely housed.

Read more.

Illinois Senate Democrats applaud creation of jobs through REV Act

SPRINGFIELD – Building on the state’s promise to become a green energy leader while creating thousands of jobs, Senate Democrats applauded the signing of the Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act.

"This gives Illinois the ability to compete on a global stage to bring next generation electric vehicle jobs and investments to communities across our great state," said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park).

Read more.

Glowiak Hilton highlights IDOT's road conditions map for winter travel

OAKBROOK TERRACE – With snow flurries starting to appear in the forecast, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is reminding commuters and residents with travel plans of the winter road conditions map on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Getting Around Illinois website.

“Winter weather can impact road conditions quickly, and getting reliable information to travelers is essential to prevent vehicles from sliding and crashing on the roadways,” Glowiak Hilton said. “I encourage residents and commuters to check the Getting Around Illinois website when snow and freezing temperatures are predicted in the forecast.”

Read more.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senators Christopher Belt, Swansea, and Rachelle Aud Crowe, Glen Carbon: Pritzker signs omnibus bill aimed at making voting more accessible | The Telegraph

Senate President Don Harmon, Oak Park: Infrastructure deal includes $17 billion for Illinois | The Pantagraph

Senator Adriane Johnson, Buffalo Grove: Racial covenants, a relic of the past, are still on the books across the country | NPR

Copyright 2021 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Renters and landlords experiencing pandemic-related financial hardships will be able to apply for help through the Illinois Housing Development Authority early next month.

In the first round of the Illinois Rental Payment program that was launched in May, the Illinois Housing Development Authority reviewed all completed applications, approved more than 57,000 applications and paid out nearly $540 million on behalf of renters experiencing pandemic-related hardships. Since 2020, the state has provided over $776 million in emergency rental assistance to help keep more than 103,100 Illinois seniors, families and others safely housed.

ELGIN –State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) recently attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the new Illinois Minority Business Development Agency Businesses Center, a flagship location to help connect small businesses to resources that can help them thrive.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has only broadened the existing challenges minority-owned businesses face when it comes to things like procurement and growing their markets,” Castro said. “It’s exciting to see Elgin become a hub for development with the opening of this new MBDA office.”

DES PLAINES – As violence against law enforcement officers increases, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) joined police chiefs and other public officials to call for change.

“There is a national trend of increased violence against law enforcement officers,” Murphy said. “The very people who put their lives on the line daily to protect us deserve to be protected.”