Wednesday evening was busy for Illinois Senate Democratic Senators across the state as five of them held events to help provide resources to their communities.

State Senators Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) and Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) co-sponsored a Property Tax Assessment Appeal workshop alongside experts to help inform residents on the property tax appeal process and how to lower their property tax bills.

“I’m continuously working on real, long-term solutions to the high property tax rates burdening Illinois families,” Murphy said. “I was glad to host this property tax appeal workshop to help people file appeals to their property tax bills.”

SPRINGFIELD – A $350,000 partnership between the Illinois Department of Labor and Women Employed will help low-income women across the state learn about pay equity and transparency laws, drawing praise from the Illinois Senate Women’s Caucus.

“This partnership will uplift working women and create a support network in every community across Illinois,” said State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights), co-chair of the Senate Women’s Caucus. “I am proud of the work Women Employed are doing to tear down barriers to economic parity.”

EAST ST. LOUIS – To promote the Back to Business Grant Program, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) is inviting small business owners to participate in an informational webinar about eligibility and the application process.

Belt is partnering with Representatives LaToya Greenwood and Jay Hoffman, along with business leaders from Small Business Development Centers and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to host a free webinar for small business owners who need assistance applying for the Back to Business grant program at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6.

“Small businesses have been one of the hardest hit industries during the pandemic. It is our duty to help businesses get back on their feet and continue successfully serving residents in our communities,” Belt said. “I encourage small businesses in need of funding to join us and find out if your business is eligible and how to apply.”

The $250 million Back to Business program offers eligible small businesses one-time grants of up to $150,000 to cover operation costs, staff payroll and other expenses. To qualify, a business must have made $20 million or less in revenue in 2019 and be able to demonstrate a reduction in revenue in 2020.

Participants will learn about eligibility, priority industries, disproportionately impacted areas and documentation requirements. Information regarding community navigators, which are able to assist businesses with the online application portal, will also be available.

Registration is required and can be found at SenatorBelt.com/B2B.

If business owners have questions about the event, Belt encourages them to contact his office at 618-875-1212 or visit SenatorBelt.com.

PLAINFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is urging residents to renew eligible professional licenses from the comfort of their own home.

Illinois residents can now renew certain professional licenses online. In addition, licensees’ renewal deadlines have been extended to Dec. 31, 2021.

“This is one small way that the State of Illinois is working to eliminate red tape and streamline the process to allow people to renew their professional licenses from the comfort of their own home,” Loughran Cappel said. “Please renew your licenses as soon as possible to avoid late fees and ensure you are up to date.”

EVANSTON – Children in Evanston will soon benefit from a mentoring program at the Evanston Public Library that has received new funding, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced Thursday.

“Many of us wouldn’t be where we are today without mentors taking the time to invest in us,” Senator Fine said. “This funding to provide mentors for our children is critical to open up doors for future success.”

The Evanston Public Library received $39,528 through the Project Next Generation grant program. PNG is a mentoring program established by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to help middle and high school students develop technological skills, achieve success through project-based learning and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal setting and conflict resolution.

“I am committed to improving the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois,” White said. “I established this innovative program when I first became Secretary of State to give students an opportunity to receive hands-on experience with the latest technological tools at their local library.”

The Secretary of State awarded $530,104 in 2022 PNG grants to 28 public libraries across Illinois. Grants are awarded to public libraries serving culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations.

More information on the grants can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

AURORA – The Illinois Department of Employment Security and Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology have launched a new identity verification and multi-factor authentication solution for IDES’ unemployment insurance benefits system, according to Assistant Majority Leader and Senate Labor Committee Chair Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

“During the course of the pandemic, IDES experienced problems with security for the accounts and personal information of unemployed Illinoisans filing claims. States across the nation experienced fraud as unemployment hit unprecedented levels,” Holmes said. “This new ILogin system will strengthen existing protections for users and help the agency find and deal with fraudulent activity attempts.”

Monsters of the Midway Act sparks discussion of the role of public dollars financing sports franchises

CHICAGO – Nearly 20 years ago, the Bears were warned that their Soldier Field renovation plans were too small, too limited in use and downright ugly. The Bears dismissed those concerns and moved full speed ahead in their demand for more than a half billion dollars in public funding to redo the stadium according to their vision.

Now, they’re preparing to walk away from it and potentially move to suburban Arlington Heights. All the reasons for their move are the concerns brought up and rejected by the Bears 20 years ago.

THORNTON – Hoping that local students will take advantage of resources at their local library, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III announced the Thornton Public Library District is set to receive $14,000 from the Project Next Generation grant.

“Keeping our students in learning atmospheres and not on the streets will help change the trajectory of their lives,” Harris said. “I strongly support supplying our local libraries with funding to create new resources that engage our students.”

Thornton Public Library District will receive $14,000 in PNG grants from the Illinois State Library using federal Library Services and Technology Act funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

PNG is a mentoring program established by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to help middle and high school students develop technological skills, achieve success through project-based learning, and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal-setting and conflict resolution.

The secretary of state awarded $530,104 in 2021 PNG grants to 28 public libraries statewide. Grants are awarded to libraries that serve culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations.