­CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Alderperson Debra Silverstein partnering with the Rohingya Cultural Center, Swedish Covenant Hospital, ICNA Relief and the city of Chicago to offer a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic for children in the West Ridge area. The clinic will also offer booster shots to anyone who needs one.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way for us to protect our community’s public health and end the pandemic,” Villivalam said. “I encourage anyone with questions on the vaccine to join us to learn more and get their shot.”

Loughran Cappel kicks off holiday drive to benefit Guardian Angel Community Services

PLAINFIELD – To lift up area residents in need of a helping hand this holiday season, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is hosting a collection drive to benefit Guardian Angel Community Services until Nov. 30.

Loughran Cappel’s district office located at 2009 S. Route 59 in Plainfield will serve as a drop off location until the end of the collection drive.

“Giving back is small way we can all make a big difference in our community,” Loughran Cappel said. “While you are out shopping this holiday season, take a moment to think of our neighbors who may need some extra assistance during these cold months.”

A few high-demand items include:

• Ladies’ winter jackets (all sizes)
• Children’s hats/gloves/scarves (all sizes)
• Ladies’ hats/gloves/scarves (all sizes)
• Mini first aid kits
• Ladies’ long sleeve t-shirts (all sizes)

For a complete list of items, visit www.SenatorLoughranCappel.com or the Guardian Angel Community Services website at www.gacsprograms.org.

There will also be an opportunity for those interested in donating to drop off items with Loughran Cappel and her staff at her Oswego Traveling Office Hours on Thursday, Nov. 18 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.at the Oswego Public Library (32 W. Jefferson St., Oswego).

For more information about Guardian Angel Community Services visit www.gacsprograms.org.

MARYVILLE – To prepare for winter travel on Illinois roadways, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) are reminding Metro East commuters and families of the winter road conditions map on the Getting Around Illinois website.

“Accidents are more likely when the weather creates hazardous road conditions,” Belt said. “Getting Around Illinois is a great tool to ensure people are safe and prepared when traveling during the cold winter months.” 

Previously, the map displayed conditions by county. New this year, the map shows how weather events are impacting roads, including the ability to identify and zoom in to a location, travel route or destination with current information recorded by plow drivers.

“Winter weather can significantly impact road conditions, and getting reliable information to drivers is essential for safe travel,” Crowe said. “I encourage motorists to check the road conditions map when snow and freezing temperatures are expected in the Metro East.”

Individuals can interact with the map to understand how weather events are affecting roads across the state. The winter road conditions map is available on Illinois Department of Transportation’s website.

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.”

Previously, the map displayed conditions by county. New this year, the map shows how weather events are impacting roads, including the ability to identify and zoom in to a location, travel route or destination with current information recorded by plow drivers.

Individuals can interact with the map to understand how weather events are affecting roads across the state. The winter road conditions map is available on IDOT’s website.

CHAMPAIGN – With cold, snowy weather approaching, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is reminding drivers with travel plans of the winter road conditions map on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Getting Around Illinois website.

“Drivers who are unprepared for winter road conditions create dangerous situations for themselves and everyone on the road,” Bennett said. “This roadmap is a great resource for commuters and residents, and I encourage folks to utilize it before getting on the roads.”

Previously, the map displayed conditions by county. New this year, the map shows how weather events are impacting roads, including the ability to identify and zoom in to a location, travel route or destination with current information recorded by plow drivers.

People can interact with the map to understand how weather events are affecting roads across the state. The winter road conditions map is available on IDOT’s website.

PLAINFIELD – To help people stay safe this winter season, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is urging drivers to utilize Getting Around Illinois to preview road conditions before traveling.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is debuting an improved road conditions map this year, which can be viewed at www.GettingAroundIllinois.com.

“The winter months bring unpredictable and possibly dangerous road conditions,” Loughran Cappel said. “If weather forecasts are not optimal, please check this vital resource to help you and your family stay safe and prepared during your holiday travels this year.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois now has a new law on the books to help incentivize electric vehicle manufacturers to set up shop and generate good paying jobs in Illinois, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) championed the historic House Bill 1769, the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, which was signed into law on Tuesday. This new law builds on Hastings’ work to make Illinois a leader in manufacturing electric vehicles and decreasing carbon emissions.

“This new law sends out a signal to businesses across the globe that Illinoisans are ready to work,” Hastings said. “Growing the state’s green economy sets us up to generate jobs of the future while reducing the state’s carbon footprint.”

The law comes on the heels of the state’s historic Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. House Bill 1769 includes tax credits to incentivize manufactures to make Illinois a hub for electric vehicle and auto battery production, as well as allowing local jurisdictions to abate property taxes for electric vehicle projects.

Earlier this year, Lion Electric Company, a Canadian-based manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles, announced plans to build the company’s first-ever U.S. manufacturing facility in Joliet.

“I am proud we are working actively to modernize the state’s economy to encourage electric vehicle manufacturers to make Illinois their home,” Hastings said. “Now is the time to reshape the state’s transportation sector to clear the way to reduce carbon emissions and secure good paying jobs for the people of the southland.” 

Illinois currently ranks ninth in the nation for auto production, employing more than 30,000 people. An additional 36,000 work at auto parts makers in the state, according to the Illinois Manufacturing Association. The state is already home to more than 5,000 workers in the electronic transportation industry, and these numbers are expected to double in the next two years.

House Bill 1769 passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support. 

To learn more about the Reimagining Electric Vehicles Program, please visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website here.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) joined Gov. JB Pritzker and other officials at Rock Valley College’s Advanced Technology Center to celebrate the signing of the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act on Tuesday.

“The REV Act invests in both job creators and working people across Illinois to make us a nationwide leader in the electric vehicle industry,” Gillespie said. “Covering training costs for new hires and protecting living wages for current employees will provide a foundation for working people to build long-term careers in a growing industry.”

The REV Act provides financial incentives to electric vehicle, parts and power supply manufacturers. To qualify for tax credits on income tax withholdings, manufacturers must pay their employees at least 120% of the average wage paid in the county where the project is located. The legislation includes expanded tax credits for employers in underserved and energy transition areas.

Illinois currently employs 36,000 workers in the auto production industry, ranking 9th in the nation. House Bill 1769 is effective immediately.