NEW LENOX – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is inviting New Lenox residents to attend his November Coffee, Conversation and Constituent Services event on Saturday, Nov. 20.

“These casual conversations provide the perfect opportunity for folks to chat with their state senator,” Joyce said. “The goal of this event is to ensure we are accessible and available to residents so they have the opportunity to discuss their issues and ideas in a comfortable setting.”

The event will be held from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Gost Coffee Roasters located at 1333 S. Schoolhouse Rd. in New Lenox.

This is the third Coffee, Conversation and Constituent Services event Joyce has hosted. This is another effort from Joyce’s office to increase government accountability and accessibility by hosting this traveling event at different times, locations and days of the week in hopes of reaching working families across Will, Cook, Kankakee and Grundy Counties.

“I look forward to talking with everyone over a cup of coffee and hearing about the issues that are important to them,” Joyce said.

This event is free and open to area residents. Those with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Joyce’s office at 708-756-0882 or visit his website at SenatorPatrickJoyce.com.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) congratulated local businesses struggling from the pandemic that were awarded grants from the latest round of the Back to Business program awards.

The B2B program allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations such as staff and overhead costs.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and have been hard hit during the pandemic,” Belt said. “As the holiday season approaches, I encourage residents to shop local and support businesses that continue to recover.”

Five businesses in the district Belt represents have already received $160,000 in grants:

• Fairbridge Inn, $20,000
• Motel 6, $40,000
• Indian Mound Motel, $10,000
• Denese’s Place, $10,000
• New York Cleaners, Inc., $80,000

For a full list of businesses that have received Back to Business grants, visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awards list at illinois.gov/B2BAwards.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) will lead a hearing Tuesday to further dive into a recent audit that found the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was not respecting the needs of LGBTQ youth in care.

“LGBTQ youth in care are disproportionately likely to become homeless and deal with mental health struggles,” Morrison said. “We must ensure all children are placed in understanding environments that accept them and support their authentic selves.”

RICHTON PARK – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) is partnering with Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart to host a recycling event.

The event will include electronic recycling, shredding and serve as a drop-off location to safely dispose of unused, expired and unwanted medications.

“Our goal is to provide you with a one-stop shop to recycle electronics, safely dispose of medications you no longer need and shred personal documents,” Hastings said. “I encourage the hardworking families of the southland to take advantage of this free event.”

To accommodate all participants, each person will be limited to two boxes of residential shredding. Boxes and bags will be returned. Documents will be accepted for shredding until trucks reach capacity. Destroying documents with personal information such as bank statements, outdated medical reports, tax returns and bills help prevent the risk of consumer fraud and identity theft.

Human and pet medications will be accepted however, liquid medications and sharps will not be accepted. Proper disposal of unused prescription drugs help reduce the risk of accidental poisoning and drug addiction.

Hastings recognizes that disposing of old electronics can also be a difficult process and urges residents to take advantage of this resource. Only one television will be accepted per car along with other electronics, cables and small appliances.

If residents have questions about the event, Hastings urges them to contact his office at 815-464-5431 or visit www.SenatorHastings.com.

WHO: State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort), Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart

WHAT: Free Recycling Event   

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon       

WHERE: Rich Township (22013 Governors Highway, Richton Park, IL)

PLAINFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is thrilled to see small businesses across the 49^th District are set to receive nearly $400,000 to help them bounce back from the pandemic.

Seven businesses in the district will receive grants from the latest Back to Business program. The B2B program allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations such as staff and overhead costs.

“Our local businesses are the cornerstone of our communities,” Loughran Cappel said. “These funds will help struggling business owners bounce back from this awful pandemic.”

Loughran Cappel urges residents to eat and shop at local businesses this holiday season.

“Shop, eat and think local this holiday season if you can,” Loughran Cappel said. “Not only are these great ways to support our local businesses – keep in mind the money remains in our community when you buy local.”

For a full list of businesses that have received Back to Business grants, visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awards page at illinois.gov/B2BAwards.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) led a hearing of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee on Friday to listen to testimony regarding mental and behavioral health workforce shortages.

“Finding a solution to labor shortages in the mental and behavioral health community is imperative to protecting people who rely on their services,” Senator Fine said. “Mental health care is health care, and it’s important that we find a way for patients across Illinois to receive the timely, accessible treatment they deserve.”  

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Commerce Commission is working swiftly to implement the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act to make Illinois a leader in fighting climate change, thanks to the work of Frankfort Democrat, State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings, who serves as chair of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, led legislative negotiations for the Senate Democratic Caucus. He is thrilled to see the ICC begin the process of applying vital provisions.

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has announced more encouraging news for local businesses recovering from the pandemic who have received grants in the latest round of the Back to Business grant program.

The B2B program is providing millions in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants range from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations, such as staff and overhead costs.