PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced an expanded state program will help connect Peoria-area small businesses to financial assistance to help them recover from COVID-19.

“Our community is built on small businesses,” Koehler said. “They were hit hardest by the pandemic, and we need to make sure that they have the resources they need to recover and move forward.”

The community navigator outreach program, which helps connect small businesses to economic recovery grant programs, is expanding to include an additional 13 support organizations across the state, which were selected through a competitive process.

Navigator organizations will perform extensive outreach to small and hard-to-reach businesses to ensure that they are aware of the relief available to them, and will provide one-on-one assistance on relief grant applications.

“I would like to thank the Economic Development Council for the Peoria Area and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation for stepping up and being a resource to small businesses in the Peoria area,” Koehler said. “I want to see as many local entrepreneurs as possible get back on their feet.”

Small businesses can visit the DCEO website or call (800) 252-2923 to learn more about recovery programs available to them.

Illinois Senate Democrats spent the week out in the community, meeting with constituents and addressing community needs.

State Senator Patrick Joyce (D- Essex) hosted a mobile Secretary of State unit in South Wilmington, allowing residents to skip the long lines at the brick-and-mortar locations to do things like renew driver’s licenses and ID cards, renew license plate stickers and more.

“The pandemic has made it extremely difficult for people to take advantage of state services, including at driver services facilities,” Joyce said. “This mobile unit event will make it easier for folks to receive necessary services without waiting for long periods of time.”

Measures signed include ban on lying to kids during interrogations

CHICAGO – During a ceremony at a Northwestern University campus in Chicago, four public safety and criminal justice reform measures sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) were signed by Gov. JB Pritzker and became law.

The ceremony was a culmination of several years of hard work from Peters and advocates to reimagine what safety and justice look like in Illinois.

Senate Bill 2122 makes statements provided by a minor inadmissible in court if they were made after a law enforcement official intentionally lied during the interrogation. Deception is defined as “knowingly providing false information about evidence or leniency.”

“It is an unfortunately common practice for police officers to lie to kids in order to coerce them into saying what they want to hear,” Peters said. “These are stressful and frightening situations for many kids, and a lot of the time the statements aren’t truthful, but were still made because the kids thought it would get them out of the situation.”

VILLA PARK – July is Park and Recreation Month, and State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) is highlighting the benefits of spending time outside and utilizing public spaces in the community.

“Parks play such an important role in creating a healthy community,” Cullerton said. “DuPage County offers a ton of parks and outdoor opportunities, so I encourage everyone to take some time while the weather is nice to explore what our community has to offer.”

According to the National Recreation and Park Association, parks play an important role in maintaining quality of life in a community. Parks provide gathering places for members of a community to interact with each other, host public events and offer recreational programs.

From hiking at state parks to enjoying a playground at a local park district, there is something for everyone to take advantage of during Park and Recreation Month.

“Parks and other recreational areas can promote physical fitness, increase the aesthetics of an area, and even bring in money to a community through tourism,” Cullerton said. “Keep an eye out for events through your local park districts for the best ways to get out and enjoy the month.”

Check out what DuPage County has to offer, or visit local park district websites like Bloomingdale, Bartlett, and Carol Stream to see the latest on what their facilities have going on.

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois has created new marijuana dispensary licenses for social equity applicants because of a new law sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) that was signed Thursday. 

“The signing of HB1443 moves us closer to making the promise of equity in cannabis a reality in a state where the entire existing industry is White. I was proud to partner with State Representative LaShawn Ford in passing HB1443 which is the result of dozens of meetings with stakeholders and applicants who demanded that their voices be heard,” Lightford said. “This industry has the potential to change lives but only if we keep the principles of equity at the center of every decision we make. The signing of this legislation brings us one step closer to making these promises a reality.”

OAKBROOK TERRACE – In celebration of National Park and Recreation Month, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is highlighting the numerous benefits public parks and other natural spaces bring to communities.

“Local parks and other public spaces give residents, families and visitors of all ages a place to gather and enjoy being outdoors,” Glowiak Hilton said. “While recovering from the pandemic’s challenges, National Park and Recreation Month is a wonderful opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature safely.”

According to the National Recreation and Park Association, parks play an important role in maintaining quality of life in a community. Parks provide gathering places for members of a community to interact with each other, host public events and offer recreational programs.

Additionally, parks provide a public place where people can go to keep healthy and fit. A Penn State University study showed that the length of visits to parks has a connection with reductions in stress, lowered blood pressure, and perceived physical health.

Parks also provide an economic benefit to their communities. A review by Texas A&M University found that parks and open space raise nearby property values and increase revenue from tourism. Trees and other growth are also estimated to save cities money in environmental impacts and the effects of storms.

“Parks bring so much life to our communities,” Glowiak Hilton said. “I encourage all residents to take an opportunity to appreciate the parks, trails and other outdoor spaces in our area.”

Learn more about local parks and public events by visiting the park district websites for Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Western Springs, Westmont and Wheaton.

WAUKEGAN – To help community members protect their personal information from con artists, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is hosting a community shred event on Saturday, July 24 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, located at 25 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. in Waukegan.

“When it comes to protecting yourself against fraud and identity theft, you can never be too careful,” Johnson said. “Documents with personal information like your address, banking information or social security number should be securely shredded to keep them safe from prying eyes.”

At this free community event, residents can securely dispose of any sensitive or confidential documents, like bank statements, paid utility bills and receipts. Electronics and other non-paper waste will not be accepted.

All participants are asked to contain documents for shredding in boxes or paper bags, placed in the trunk of their vehicle for safe, socially distanced removal by volunteers.

Johnson is hosting the event in partnership with State Representative Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan).

“After spring cleaning and tax season, you may be looking to dispose of sensitive personal documents,” Johnson said. “I encourage you to take advantage of this free and convenient opportunity to make sure your information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”

DES PLAINES – To support local businesses as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and provide an opportunity for their owners to share concerns about the state’s pandemic response, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is launching a small business tour series and invites entrepreneurs in the Northwest Suburbs to apply.

“Our small businesses have overcome unimaginable challenges over the past year and a half. Although we’re approaching recovery, many business owners are still in need of support,” Murphy said. “I look forward to touring our community’s businesses, hearing their stories and helping promote their work.”

Murphy hopes to visit a variety of businesses, including, but not limited to, retail shops, manufacturing businesses and businesses in the service industry – from salons to optometrists.

Business owners can submit their information at www.SenatorLauraMurphy.com/SmallBusinessTours to be considered for a tour. Once an application is received, a member of Murphy’s team will reach out with additional details.

Applications will be accepted through July 30. Tours will begin in August.

Those with questions can contact Murphy’s office at 847-718-1110 or www.SenatorLauraMurphy.com/contact-us.