NAPERVILLE– State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is reminding Illinois drivers they now have an additional three months to renew their licenses.  

“Doing our part to reduce transmission of COVID-19 means staying home and staying safe when we can,” Ellman said. "Utilizing online and remote services when they’re available is the safest option, and usually the most hassle-free way to get things accomplished.”

Secretary of State Jesse White’s office announced that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards have been extended to March 31, 2022, with the exception of commercial driver’s licenses. The extension comes as secretary of state offices across Illinois continue to get caught up following COVID-19-related closures to their daily operations.   

WAUKEGAN – In the spirit of the holiday season and in collaboration with the Aspen Drive Library in Vernon Hills, the Indian Trails Public Library in Buffalo Grove and the Waukegan Public Library, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) donated more than 400 books to students at St. Anastasia Catholic School in Waukegan.

“Children with access to quality books have a strong opportunity to improve their cognitive skills as well as literacy, social and emotional development,” Johnson said. “I’m grateful to the librarians at the Aspen Drive, Indian Trails and Waukegan public libraries who were kind, generous and more than willing to help my office collect books for local children in need.”

EAST ST. LOUIS – Communities throughout the Metro East that without functional wastewater infrastructure are encouraged by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) to apply for grant funding to bring proper facilities to the area.

“Disadvantaged communities do not always have functional wastewater infrastructure,” Belt said. “This leaves homes and businesses at a higher risk of damage. Providing support for these improvements protects the infrastructure and lives in disadvantaged communities.”

A total of $1 million is available for grants through the Unsewered Communities Planning Grant Program, which assists small and disadvantaged communities in developing a project plan that identifies a solution to wastewater collection and treatment needs. The funding, available through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, provides an opportunity to develop a plan that will address problems associated with the collection and treatment of wastewater in an unsewered community. This can be used in an application for a project that would be funded by the Illinois Unsewered Communities Construction Grant Program.

KANKAKEE – A new law on the books will prevent children’s lemonade stands from being shut down for not having a permit thanks to State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex).

This new law was inspired by 12-year-old Hayli Martinez, whose lemonade stand in Kankakee was flagged by local officials and shut down.

“All kids deserve the chance to learn entrepreneurship from an early age,” Joyce said. “Hayli’s Law is a good step toward making that happen and will allow our young entrepreneurs to dream big without any hurdles.”

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is reminding Illinois drivers that they will now have an additional three months to renew their licenses and ID cards.

“Eliminating long lines and crowded facilities is one step we are taking to help control and slow the spread of COVID-19,” Stadelman said. “With many of the services available online and the new extension, there is no need to hurry to a brick-and-mortar facility to renew your license.”

Secretary of State Jesse White’s office announced Friday that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards has been extended an additional three months to March 31, 2022. However, the new expiration date does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses. The extension comes as secretary of state offices across Illinois continue to get caught up following COVID-19-related closures to their daily operations.

MARYVILLE – State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is reminding Illinois drivers they will now have an additional three months to renew their licenses as the Secretary of State extends the deadline once again.

“To ensure residents are covered while DMV employees work to respond to heavy customer volumes, allotting extra time to expiration dates ensures operations continue smoothly,” Crowe said. “With extended deadlines to get into a facility, people now have more time to renew state licenses and identification cards without worrying about waiting in long lines.”

Secretary of State Jesse White’s office announced Friday that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards has been extended an additional three months to March 31, 2022. However, the new expiration date does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses. The extension comes as secretary of state offices across Illinois continue to get caught up following COVID-19-related closures to their daily operations.

To cut down on long lines and wait times, Crowe encourages individuals to take advantage of the secretary of state’s online services at ilsos.gov. These services include:

• Renewing a vehicle registration;
• Applying for a vehicle title and registration;
• Obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card;
• Obtaining a driving record abstract;
• Renewing a standard driver’s license with the Safe Driver Renewal program.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has also extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023. Current Illinois driver’s licenses or ID cards will continue to be accepted at airports, military bases and secure federal facilities.

For more information and to take advantage of online services, including license plate renewal, people can visit ilsos.gov.

MAYWOOD – Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), is excited to announce the new $12 per hour minimum wage in Illinois is starting Jan. 1, 2022.

“Even before the pandemic, many working families were struggling,” Lightford, chief sponsor of the 2019 law raising the minimum wage, said. “This increase won’t solve all of their problems, but it will surely help.”

CHAMPAIGN – Starting Jan. 1, pharmaceutical companies are required to post a notice informing consumers that they may request current pharmacy retail prices at the point of sale, thanks to State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign).

“Drug price transparency plays a key role in reducing the rising prices of prescription medications,” Bennett said. “People have the right to know which payment method – insurance or cash – would provide the most savings when purchasing their prescriptions.”