HOFFMAN ESTATES – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) toured the AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital and sat down with local health care workers to discuss some of the challenges facing local systems Monday.

“I appreciated the conversations I had during my visit regarding some of the issues in our health care system, like staffing needs, number of beds and more,” Castro said. “We know that behavioral and mental health care is just as important as physical care, and AMITA is working to expand their services to people with mental health needs.”

SCHAUMBURG – The Village of Schaumburg will receive $1.25 million in state funding to construct a public access road and bike path connecting major businesses to the Schaumburg Metra Station, a landmark investment State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) said will create jobs and advance economic development across the region.

“This hard-won funding will help Schaumburg meet the growing need for safe, green transportation and recreation,” Murphy said. “Thanks to years of advocacy from village officials, the Schaumburg community will reap the benefits of this project for years to come.”

The project, which is expected to create over 485 jobs, will expand Schaumburg’s 90-mile network of bike paths, giving residents and tourists more ways to visit local businesses.

The Village of Schaumburg is one of just 11 communities across the state selected to receive funding through the Rebuild Illinois Regional Economic Development program, a component of the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program aimed at creating jobs, boosting investment in underserved communities and fostering lasting economic growth.

“Safe, modern infrastructure helps our community stay connected,” Murphy said. “This funding will open up new opportunities for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to support the local shops and businesses that make Schaumburg unique.”

A total of $16.5 million was awarded through the RIRED program. More information about the RIRED program and other state grant programs is available at Illinois.gov/DCEO.

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D- Chicago) along with other local leaders hosted a free Recycling Day over the weekend, which included a prescription drug take-back, document shredding and electronics recycling.

“Saturday’s event provided a great opportunity for community members to come out to not only clear up clutter around their homes, but also do so in a way that will help our environment,” Pacione-Zayas said. “I want to thank everyone who participated, especially our hardworking volunteers, for making this event a big success.”

KANKAKEE – To highlight farm and ranch safety awareness, Senate Agriculture Chair Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is drawing attention to 2021 National Farm Safety and Health Week.

Joyce is joining the Illinois Departments of Agriculture and Labor from Sept. 19-25 to spread awareness and emphasize this year’s National Farm Safety and Health Week theme: “Farm Safety Yields Real Results.”

BRIDGEVIEW – The Illinois Department of Employment Security will begin to restore its in-person workforce and limited unemployment services at the American Job Center in Burbank, State Senator Steve Landek (D-Bridgeview) announced Monday.

“The COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately robbed many people of in-person unemployment insurance service when they needed it most,” Landek said. “I am thrilled to be able to announce the return of these services to residents of the 12^th District.”

Scheduled appointments are required at least 24 hours in advance for in-person assistance 5608 W 75th Place in Burbank. To schedule an appointment, people should call the IDES Scheduling Hotline at 217-558-0401 and request a callback. 

An appointment may be scheduled for one of the following reasons:

• Identity verification for an unemployment insurance claim
• Assistance registering with com
• Assistance documenting work search activities
• Employment services, including resume and job search guidance
• Request to use the Resource Room to use computers with internet and other resources

Appointments will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. To ensure efficiency, each appointment will be 20 minutes and visitors will be afforded a 10-minute grace period.

In the coming weeks, IDES will continue to reopen additional offices on a phased basis and will announce the availability of phone appointments to further assist claimants.

Claimants are strongly encouraged to use the IDES website to apply and certify for benefits, enroll in direct deposit, change passwords, engage in work search and connect with an employment services professional, among other services. Claimants can also continue to speak with an IDES expert over the phone by requesting a callback at 800-244-5631. As a reminder, if a callback is received at an inconvenient time, claimants may reschedule the callback for a specific time with a call center agent.

AURORA – The Illinois Department of Employment Security will now begin to restore its in-person workforce and limited unemployment services at the American Job Center in North Aurora, State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) announced Monday.

“Restoring in-person unemployment and workforce facilities will make it easier for area residents to get back to work and address any issues regarding unemployment claims,” Holmes said. “The devastating effect of the pandemic on the economy have brought working families unprecedented adversity.”

SPRINGFIELD – During her first legislative session in the Illinois Senate, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) championed landmark legislation to help families in every corner of Illinois.

“One of the greatest joys of my time as a legislator has been meeting with my various advisory committees to listen to community members and gather input to inform meaningful legislation,” Villa said. “From issues affecting students to mental health initiatives, I’m grateful for everyone who helped push for these important laws.”

Villa passed House Bill 155, which will allow Illinoisans receiving aid through federal and state food assistance programs to use their benefits to purchase menstrual hygiene products or diapers. The measure ensures benefits programs cover necessary menstrual hygiene products, which Villa said are as essential to a woman’s well-being as food and water.

Villa went on to continue her fight to end period poverty on Illinois college campuses with the passage of House Bill 641. Public universities and community college districts are now required to make menstrual hygiene products available to students at no cost in campus bathrooms under the legislation.

In an effort to reduce drug waste and help families struggling to afford prescription drugs, Villa championed House Bill 119, which will create the Illinois Prescription Drug Repository Program – or I-DROP – to redistribute unused prescription drugs to Illinoisans who need them. Under Villa’s I-DROP program, unused prescription drugs that may have otherwise been thrown out could be redistributed to families who are struggling to afford critical prescription medications.

Undocumented college students can find tailored support on campus under Villa’s House Bill 3438. The legislation requires public universities and community colleges in Illinois to designate an employee as an Undocumented Student Resource Liaison, as well as encourages schools to establish an Undocumented Student Resource Center on campus to assist undocumented students.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work I accomplished with the General Assembly this spring to pass laws to help students, women and working families across our great state,” Villa said. “As we approach the next legislative session, I look forward to continuing to prioritize health care, education and workplace safety.”

A full list of legislation sponsored by Villa can be found on the Illinois General Assembly’s website.

CHICAGO – Illinois officially became a national leader in the fight for clean energy Wednesday, as the state’s historic climate bill was signed into law.

“Our goal all along was to enact reliable, renewable and affordable energy policies that create thousands of jobs in a burgeoning green energy economy and put Illinois at the forefront of addressing the undeniable threats of climate change,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “With the governor’s signature today, that shared goal becomes our new reality.”