CHICAGO – After calls from advocate groups and state legislators, the Chicago City Council finalized a vote Wednesday to make Emmett Till’s home an official landmark. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), who was among those calls several months ago, is celebrating the council’s decision.

“I am proud to see that the City Council voted to preserve Emmett Till’s childhood home as a landmark,” Hunter said. “Though heartbreaking, Emmett Till’s lynching must be remembered, especially as we navigate race relations in these times of racial unrest.”

MARYVILLE – To bring joy to older residents who have been isolated from loved ones, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) invites people of all ages to donate valentines to be given out at local long-term care facilities.

“Whether the cards are bought in a store or made from paper and markers, many older residents could use an extra reminder that they are cared for,” Crowe said. “I encourage families, students, community members and anyone with artistic talent to send in a Valentine’s Day card to spread love to our older neighbors.”

BYRON – Continuing a statewide fact finding mission, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) traveled to Byron, Illinois to meet with local leaders and plant employees to discuss future prospects for Illinois’ clean energy infrastructure today.

“As the spring session looms and our legislative priorities come into focus, major questions about the future of our state’s clean energy infrastructure need to be asked,” said Hastings, who serves as chair of the Senate Public Utilities and Energy Committee. “How do we invest in our clean energy future and preserve the good-paying jobs in our communities? I have traveled to power plants in every corner of our state in search of these answers, and I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to meet with the folks in Byron today as a part of that mission.”

OAKBROOK TERRACE – To brighten the spirits of older residents who have been isolated from loved ones, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) invites people of all ages to donate valentines to be given out at local long-term care facilities.

“Whether the card comes from the store or is made from paper and crayons, many older residents could use an extra reminder that they are cared for,” Glowiak Hilton said. “I encourage families, students, community members and anyone with artistic talent to send in a Valentine’s Day card to spread love to our older neighbors.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) will continue to serve as Deputy Majority Leader of the Illinois State Senate in the 102nd General Assembly.

“It has been an honor to serve as Deputy Majority Leader over the past year, helping guide our legislature through new challenges in light of the COVID-19 crisis,” Murphy said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue this work to help our state come back from the pandemic stronger and more resilient.”

SPRINGFIELD – Strengthening existing mental health resources in Illinois and fostering the formation of new support systems are top priorities for State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) in her role as chair of the newly formed Senate Committee on Behavioral and Mental Health.

“As a lawmaker, ensuring every Illinoisan has access to quality mental health care has always been one of my main legislative goals,” Senator Fine said. “The creation of a dedicated committee shows the Illinois Senate is ready to commit the necessary time and focus to understand and eliminate barriers to care. I’m honored to serve as chair to help start those conversations.”

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) joined Governor JB Pritzker at the newly-opened Lake County Fairgrounds vaccination site Wednesday.

“The vaccination site puts our community on a quicker path toward full recovery,” Johnson said. “Thousands of Lake County residents have already been vaccinated, and seeing more people have that opportunity has given me hope for a more normal world.”

The COVID-19 vaccination site at the Lake County Fairgrounds opened earlier this month as a way to expedite the vaccination process for as many people as possible. Because of the size of the expo hall, dozens of vehicles can be parked inside while the vaccine is administered to them through their windows. 

To receive a vaccine, a person must first be registered on the Lake County AllVax system and bring their QR code, which will then be scanned before the vaccine is delivered. People without an appointment will be turned away.

Any person who is a frontline health care worker, first responder, front-line essential worker or over the age of 65 is now available to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. By next week, the local health department hopes 1,000 people will be able to receive a vaccine at the fairgrounds each day.

“I encourage anyone eligible for the vaccine to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated as soon as possible. All other residents should register on the AllVax system so they are alerted when they can get their dose,” Johnson said. “The only way to end the virus is for everyone to get vaccinated.”

For eligibility questions and other questions about the vaccine, people are encouraged to visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website.

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) is encouraging struggling small business owners to consider the Small Business Association’s newly reopened Paycheck Protection Program.

“Small businesses have been hit hard by this year of pandemic, and this funding opportunity will help support local restaurants, stores and other establishments that still need help,” Martwick said. “I encourage local business owners to apply for these loans in order to support their businesses and our community.”

The Small Business Association has reopened the Paycheck Protection Program, a loan program designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll.  Businesses with 300 employees or less and at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between 2019 and 2020 are eligible to apply. 

First Draw PPP Loans and Second Draw PPP Loans can be used to help fund payroll costs, including benefits, and may also be used to pay for mortgage interest, rent, utilities, worker protection costs related to COVID-19, uninsured property damage costs caused by looting or vandalism during 2020 and certain supplier costs and expenses for operations. Second Draw PPP loans are for businesses that have already received a PPP loan and may be eligible to receive another. At least $25 billion is being set aside for Second Draw PPP Loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. The deadline to apply for both loans is March 31, 2021.

Another assistance opportunity, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program makes $15 billion in grants available to shuttered venues, to be administered by the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. The application is not open yet, but more information is available here.

To help constituents understand the new programs, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is offering webinars. A full list of webinars is available here.