SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans will be able to purchase menstrual hygiene products with federal and state food assistance program benefits under a new law sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago).

“Benefits programs aren’t living up to their full potential until they cover necessary menstrual hygiene products,” Villa said. “Increasing the accessibility of menstrual hygiene products for low-income Illinoisans is essential to combatting period poverty across our state.”

RANTOUL – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and his staff will be at the Rantoul Public Library, located at 106 W. Flessner Ave., on Wednesday, Aug. 11 from noon to 1 p.m. to kick off his monthly Rantoul office hours.

“The goal of these remote office hours is to give local residents an opportunity to share their concerns and opinions with me, and to ensure state services are easily accessible to everyone,” Bennett said. “I look forward to meeting with everyone who attends.” 

Bennett’s staff will host regular office hours in Rantoul the second Wednesday of every month to meet with community members and assist with state and local services.

These office hours serve as an opportunity for constituents to speak directly with Bennett’s staff to receive help with casework and other issues at the state level.

Bennett will also host office hours on Sept. 8 and Oct. 13 in Rantoul. To stay up to date on events Bennett’s office is hosting this fall, residents can visit SenatorBennett.com.

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) participated in a “walk a day” event to highlight the child care crisis affecting the workforce, parents and children exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the event, Pacione-Zayas shadowed day care provider Lucia Rubio to learn about the scope of work performed daily by child care providers.

“This event has affirmed my concerns about the struggles our child care providers go through on a day-to-day basis, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Pacione-Zayas, a longtime advocate for early childhood policy. “This year, the legislature took up measures to help our early childhood workforce, but we also need to turn our focus toward the federal government to help our state and the nation provide the vital resources needed to help the early childhood workforce, parents, and most importantly, children recover and thrive.”

PARK FOREST – State Senators Elgie Sims Jr. (D-Chicago), Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) and Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) are inviting local minority contractors to participate in an informational discussion to learn how to conduct business with the Illinois Capital Development Board.

The virtual workshop will take place Thursday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m.

“Sustainable development is the pathway to the future that we want for everyone,” said Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “We have to ensure that we are providing a fair and inclusive environment to support diversity efforts in the construction industries. This way we develop a framework that generates economic growth for the entire state.”

At the workshop, the Capital Development Board will provide information to architecture, engineering and construction firms about the process of registering as a vendor, becoming prequalified to bid on CDB projects, and strategies for partnering to complete some of the $45 billion worth of projects statewide funded through the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan.

“Championing minority-owned businesses is crucial to uplifting our communities,” Joyce said. “I encourage local contractors to take advantage of this informative workshop to ensure they have the tools and information they need so they don’t miss out on business with the Capital Development Board.”

The workshop is geared toward women contractors and contractors of color across the state to give these often underserved businesses support in the contracting process.

Registration is required to participate in the workshop. Interested contractors can sign up at https://www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com/ICDBtickets.

“In order to foster a successful business climate and improve infrastructure conditions in our state, we need all hands on deck,” Hastings said. “This event is designed to give everyone a seat at the table. We need to work together to grow the state’s economy and provide residents with good paying jobs.”

With questions or for additional information, contact Joyce’s office at 708-756-0882, Sims’ office at 815-464-5431 or Hastings’ office at 773-933-7715.

SPRINGFIELD – Doctors trying to restore their medical licenses will have a clearer understanding of the process under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) requiring the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to publish detailed instructions on its website.

“Physicians looking to begin practicing medicine again should be able to pursue license restoration without having to wade through complicated rules and requirements,” Murphy said. “This law doesn’t change the restoration process itself, but makes it more transparent.”

The law requires IDFPR to post on its website the process for requesting a hearing on disciplinary action and the process for restoring a medical license after successful completion of a term of probation, suspension or revocation.

Illinois physicians already possess these rights, but they must often wade through complicated legal codes for information about the necessary steps. As a result, requesting a hearing or license restoration can be confusing and frustrating.

“There’s no point in subjecting physicians to wrong turns and headaches to return to the field,” Murphy said. “This law ensures IDFPR spells out the specific steps and requirements a doctor must follow to restore their license in one easily accessible location.”

The law, originally Senate Bill 1790, takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.

SPRINGFIELD – Someone who commits a serious crime, such as assault or harassment, motivated by someone’s immigration status – real or perceived – could soon be charged with a hate crime.

“There is no place for hate in our society,” said State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago), the measure’s sponsor. “This new law will help protect immigrants and children of immigrants from all across the world, but especially our Latino brothers and sisters.”

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is happy to share that the State Historic Preservation Office will award Rockford a $19,000 grant for a survey of historic industrial buildings.

“Honoring the places where Rockford’s industrial economy began helps us commemorate our past,” Stadelman said. “This grant gives the city the tools to survey and identify the historical importance of many of the old buildings that still exist within Rockford today.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recently announced more than $131,400 in funding for local governments for nine historic preservation projects through the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund.

Rockford was selected for a comprehensive survey of historic industrial buildings built between 1850 and 1930. The city will receive $19,000 in Federal Historic Preservation Funds and provide $7,000 in matching funds toward the program.

Rockford has seen a significant amount of new development, largely due to the River Edge Historic Tax Credit Program, which gives a state income-tax credit to the owners of historic structures matching 25% of rehabilitation project costs. Examples of projects made possible by the program are Prairie Street Brewhouse, the Rockford Trust Building, Midtown Lofts and the Handley Building, all located downtown.

“Taking a look back at the industrial start of Rockford and the many factories that called this city home allows us to recognize how they shaped the area,” Stadelman said. “These funds will help us identify the importance of many of these historic buildings and make preservation decisions for the future.”

The SHPO is planning another round of grants in the fall.  Information on how to apply for Certified Local Government grants is available on the IDNR website.

AURORA – To protect the wellbeing of immigrant communities, Illinois will reinstate the Immigrant Impact Task Force thanks to a new law introduced by State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago).

“This task force will help determine where improvements can be made in how the state invests in immigrant communities,” Villanueva said. “We must address systemic disinvestment in our communities across the state and continue building a recovery that works for all Illinoisans, regardless of status.”