SPRINGFIELD – Women – especially those with limited financial resources – will soon be able to receive hormonal birth control without visiting a doctor, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake).

“Birth control is a basic health care service and should be treated as such,” Bush said. “Providing greater access to contraceptives is providing a more equitable health care system.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) wants residents of the 20^th District to know that they could be eligible for the federal Child Tax Credit even if they did not file taxes in 2019 or 2020.

“The American Rescue Plan’s Child Tax Credit will provide an unprecedented amount of relief to families, and they should take full advantage of it,” Pacione-Zayas said. “Even if you did not file taxes in 2019 or 2020, you can still get this relief by filling out the non-filer application on the IRS website.”

According to data provided by the White House, there are hundreds of residents in the 20^th District who did not file taxes in 2019 and 2020 who are eligible to sign up as non-filers to receive the Child Tax Credit. People with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers or Social Security Numbers are eligible to apply. More information and the application are available on the White House website.

The Child Tax Credit will provide families with children under 6 years old $2,000 to $3,600 per child, and families with children from ages 6 to 17 $2,000 to $3,000 per child. To get money into people’s bank accounts quicker, the IRS will be sending families half of their 2021 Child Tax Credit as a monthly payment of $250 to $300 per child through the end of the year. Those who filed taxes in 2019 and 2020 should receive those payments automatically.

“Although payments started on July 15, families who sign up as non-filers can still get the full amount of this credit no matter when they sign up,” Pacione-Zayas said. “I urge everyone to check their eligibility and sign up to receive this relief if they are eligible.”

Families can check their eligibility on the IRS website and sign up as non-filers at any time.

PARK FOREST – Residents can safely dispose of sensitive personal documents and unused prescription drugs at a free community event hosted by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) and other area officials.

“Consumer fraud and identity theft are becoming far too common in our communities,” Joyce said. “Personal data should be confidential – I urge everyone to attend this free event so they can safely dispose of sensitive documents.”  

In addition to offering free document shredding, Joyce, DeLuca, and Vanderbilt have teamed up with the Park Forest Police Department to provide safe disposal of unused or expired prescription drugs at the event.

Anyone with questions or who needs additional information can contact Joyce’s office at 708-756-0882 or visit SenatorPatrickJoyce.com.

WHO:  State Senator Patrick Joyce, State Representative Anthony DeLuca, Park Forest Mayor Jonathan Vanderbilt and Park Forest Police Department

WHAT: Shred and drug take-back event 

WHEN: Thursday, July 22 from 9 to 11 a.m.        

WHERE: Village of Park Forest parking lot

              350 Victory Drive, Park Forest 

SKOKIE – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) commends Gov. JB Pritzker for signing the Teaching Equitable Asian American History Act, which will require public schools to highlight the contributions of Asian Americans and their culture throughout history.

“By passing the TEAACH Act, Illinois is acknowledging the importance of inclusion in our schools,” said Cullerton, who attended the bill-signing ceremony at Niles West High School in Skokie. “Students should see themselves reflected in their school curriculums, and that is exactly what this legislation will do for our Asian American students.”

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, hate crimes and attacks on Asian Americans rose across the country, prompting advocacy groups and organizers to develop and champion this legislation over the past year.

There are more than 100,000 Asian American K-12 students in Illinois, and the new law will allow these students and their peers to gain a better understanding of the contributions and cultures of the Asian American community in the United States.

“I am proud to have supported this landmark law,” said Cullerton, who was a co-sponsor of the measure. “By teaching the children in our state a more inclusive history, we will inspire a more equitable and open-minded future.”

The law, Public Act 102-0044, will go into effect during the 2022-2023 school year.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority announced two grants totaling more than $340,000 for organizations in Springfield and Decatur to offer pro-social activities that may reduce violence and victimization or provide increased street intervention to young people and emerging adults aged 10 to 25 this summer.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for young people in these areas,” Turner said. “I’ve been working to address the root causes of violence since the start of my political career. I’m so proud of the work done on this initiative. These grants will increase programming, job opportunities, and provide safe spaces for our kids.”

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is pleased to congratulate the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on receiving a $50,000 grant to improve its internet access and speeds.

The funding is part of the state's Regional Engagement for Adoption and Digital Equity program, which looks to expand digital access to communities throughout Illinois.

“High speed internet is a necessity for economic growth and our ability to help bridge the digital divide,” Bennett said. “This investment will give us the ability to deliver a high-quality education and give the U of I the opportunity to make a huge difference in our community.”

The inaugural READY program has $200,000 already awarded to four regional entities to accelerate progress in eliminating the digital divide. The program is meant to fuel local efforts to increase digital equity for homeowners and citizens who lack access to high-speed internet.

The READY grantees may use funds to expand immediate broadband connectivity, conduct outreach and engagement to identify current digital inequities, and establish next steps toward creating a digital inclusion ecosystem. More information on the broadband access grants is available on the DCEO website.

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas issued a statement following last week’s federal court decision in Texas blocking the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program from taking any new applications:

“Judge Andrew Hanen’s ruling last Friday is yet another egregious attempt to rip the opportunity away for a pathway to citizenship, safety, and protection from hundreds of thousands of people who came to this country as a result of broken U.S. foreign policy.

“DACA protects undocumented child immigrants and allows them to work in the United States, pursue educational goals, and ultimately give them a chance to make their own way in this country.

“This decision is just another painful reminder of why the federal government needs to act with urgency and expediency about designing and implementing a permanent solution that is a comprehensive pathway to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants beyond DACA recipients.

“I stand with all the immigrants in the 20th District and beyond. I see you. I hear you. I promise to continue to work to represent you in this state, and I urge Congress and the president to act as soon as possible to protect the millions of people who are entitled to safety, resources, and ability to openly contribute to reimagining this country as one that works towards our collective liberation.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is encouraging residents of Chicago’s West Side check their eligibility for the federal Child Tax Credit, even if they did not file taxes in the last two years.

“I encourage families that are eligible to take advantage of this opportunity,” Van Pelt said. “By filling out the non-filer application on the IRS website, you can still get relief, even if you did not file taxes in 2019 or 2020.”