SPRINGFIELD – Students of all backgrounds can represent their schools with confidence under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) giving students more flexibility in the design of their athletic uniforms.

“Athletic uniforms are about establishing a sense of camaraderie between team members, but for many students, the design of a uniform can be a barrier,” Murphy said. “This law represents a step forward for diversity and inclusion in Illinois.”

The law enables student athletes at public K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and community colleges in Illinois to modify their athletic or team uniform to be in accordance with their cultural values, modesty standards or religion.

The legislation was sponsored in the House by State Representative Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago).

KANKAKEE – A measure sponsored by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) to prevent children’s lemonade stands from being shut down for not having a permit was signed into law Friday by Gov. JB Pritzker. 

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

“Opening a lemonade stand can teach kids about entrepreneurship and responsibility, so it’s really a great opportunity for them to learn while making some extra money,” Joyce said. “This new law will allow our young entrepreneurs to dream big without any hurdles.”

SPRINGFIELD –NPR Illinois is expected to lose more than $400,000 in funding from the University of Illinois-Springfield annually, phased out over the next several fiscal years. State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) has sent a letter to the chancellor of UIS and the president of the U of I system urging them to reverse the decision.

“NPR Illinois is one of the best sources of news for Illinois residents, especially in an era where it's becoming more difficult to distinguish between slanted and genuine news sources," Turner said. “I recognize the COVID-19 pandemic has had an economic impact on many universities, but cutting this program from UIS’s budget would do a huge disservice to both area residents and journalism students.”

According to recent reports in the media, NPR Illinois will see its yearly financial support from UIS decline gradually, dropping to zero within five years.

NPR Illinois is also one of the few remaining media venues that extensively covers state government. While more than 30 print and broadcast organizations once had bureaus at the Capitol, less than 10 do now.

“Over many years, this station has delivered true, fair and unbiased coverage to a multitude of listeners,” Turner said. “It has also given many journalists and interns an opportunity to thrive in the field while reporting on state government. This outlet produces quality journalism, and it needs to continue to operate.”

The university will continue to provide and maintain operational space on campus for NPR Illinois, along with parking and security.

FRANKFORT – To assist local residents who wish to either change or begin careers, State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) is partnering with Victory Apostolic Church in Matteson to host the second annual Taste of Victory Job Fair.

“As we continue to rebuild our economy, it is important for residents to have access to the best possible resources for a job search,” Hastings said. “Good paying jobs are the backbone of a strong economy and creating them for our people must be prioritized.”

The event will be held at Victory Apostolic Church in Matteson on Saturday July 31 a.m. from 11:30 to 3:30 p.m. Job seekers will be connected to companies that offer good paying jobs with benefits and opportunities for career growth. This could mean transitioning into a new career path, whether it’s in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, related changes in the labor market, or someone is simply seeking to transfer their skills to another career path. 

National Able Network and HIRE360 Chicago will be on-site to deliver high-impact training sessions, and we are in search of additional partners who are interested in developing their staff, meeting with job seekers to advertise their opportunities or programs, or to provide promotional partnerships to assist in highlighting this exciting event.

Job seekers can register for the event here and interested employers can register here.

Will County, Ill.  – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel and State Senator John Connor are partnering with the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Workforce Center of Will County to host a series of workshops to provide local residents with the tools necessary for a successful job search.

“As we move through the waning days of the pandemic, we expect to see our state’s employment numbers continue to rise,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood).“By doing our part to provide resources for local job seekers through partnerships with entities like IDES and the Workforce Center of Will County, Illinois can re-emerge with one of our nation’s strongest economies.”

ROCKFORD –State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) wants Rockford area small businesses to know that an expanded state service is available to help them access economic recovery grant programs.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has invested an additional $9 million in its community navigator outreach program, with new partners serving the Rockford area.

“Our local businesses are working hard to rebuild financial stability as we move out of the pandemic,” Stadelman said. “I urge owners and managers to work with a navigator if they need help finding funding to help them return to normalcy.”

This expansion to the existing community navigator program leverages 13 organizations that will provide support for small businesses who require assistance navigating the billions of financial assistance dollars that are available. Community navigators will perform intensive outreach to ensure that small and hard-to-reach businesses are aware of economic relief funds.

DCEO trained 13 new regional partners to facilitate technical assistance for small businesses on a grassroots level. These 13 organizations, which were selected through a competitive process, will work with over 100 community-based organizations based in low-to-moderate-income areas. The American Business Immigrant Coalition and Illinois Public Health Association will coordinate efforts in Winnebago County.

To ensure the smallest and most vulnerable businesses are prioritized, navigator partners will provide small businesses with direct assistance on applications, as well as language assistance, on-the-ground outreach, webinars, technical assistance sessions, and more.

For more information on recovery programs and how to receive support, businesses can visit the DCEO webpage or call the First Stop hotline at 1.800.252.2923.

AURORA — Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) is pleased to see the state has invested $9 million to boost revitalization among small businesses through the community navigator outreach program. She believes this investment, along with recent news that the state’s fiscal outlook ratings are improving, bode well for the state’s economic recovery.

“The community navigator program helps small businesses navigate billions in available financial assistance from the state and the Small Business Administration through the American Rescue Plan Act,” Holmes said. “The 42^nd District can benefit from economic recovery grants, put employees back to work and continue rebuilding our economy post pandemic.”

Community navigators perform outreach to small, minority and hard-to-reach businesses to make them aware of available relief funds and help them recover from losses suffered during the pandemic.

Holmes said fiscal ratings bumps from Fitch and Moody’s complement this small business investment, and further demonstrate Illinois’ responsible budget decisions to pay back federal borrowing, pay down a backlog of bills, and cut general fund spending by approximately $1 billion since fiscal year 2020.

In the most recent budget, the state increased education funding by $350 million, made its full pension payment, and fully funded local governments.

“If we keep passing responsible, balanced budgets, we’ll earn ratings upgrades and save the taxpayers money,” Holmes said. “The better our rating, the less we have to pay in interest costs when the state borrows money.”

Holmes chairs the Illinois Senate Labor Committee.

DOWNERS GROVE – To help communities get vaccinated, a measure sponsored by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) to increase the Medicaid reimbursement rates for immunizations and expand coverage was signed into law today.

“As communities prepare for a safe reopening this summer, making sure everyone is vaccinated is critical,” Gillespie said. “This measure ensures that families who use Medicaid have the same access to vaccines.”