CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is expressing support for Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ becoming a national historical site after U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) introduced federal legislation this week.

“I am pleased that Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ may become a national landmark,” Hunter said. “Churches were an integral part of the Civil Rights movement, and should be remembered as such.”

The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley, and Roberts Temple National Historic Site Act would establish the church as a historic site to be managed by the U.S. National Park Service to ensure the church continues to stand and that an important part of Emmett Till’s story is preserved. This legislation has bipartisan support.

The church is remembered for hosting Emmett Till’s funeral in 1955, which was a pivotal moment for the Civil Rights Movement. Till’s public, open-casket wake was attended by thousands who saw how the 14-year-old was brutally beaten and lynched while visiting family in Mississippi earlier that year.

The call for preservation, federal recognition and National Historic Site status for Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ, as well as for sites linked to Emmett Till in Mississippi, has been spearheaded by the Till and Roberts families and various organizations.

“Earlier this year, it was decided that Emmett Till’s childhood home would become an official landmark, so this proposal is another extension of Till’s troubling legacy,’ Hunter said. “We must remember these moments in our nation’s history, so that we can heal from them accordingly.”

The text of this bill can be found here.

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and other members of the Senate Democratic Caucus welcomed news of expanded COVID-19 vaccine access and plans to reopen the state’s economy.

“We’ve made it to this point thanks to modern science and the personal sacrifices of people all across this state,” Harmon said. “You’ve followed the rules and kept each other safe until a vaccine was widely available. Thank you. I urge everyone to remain patient and vigilant as we head into what is hopefully the final phase of this horrible pandemic.”

HIGHWOOD – Lake County residents will have an easier time receiving their COVID-19 vaccine thanks to enhanced support from the state, and Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) encourages any person eligible to schedule their shot at the Lake County Fairgrounds vaccination site.

“More workers will allow us to eventually create more vaccination sites, which will lead to more accessible doses for all Lake County residents,” Morrison said. “If you’re eligible, it’s time to make a plan to get your shot.”

The Illinois National Guard was called upon by Governor JB Pritzker to bolster current operations at the Lake County Fairgrounds site. Bringing in the National Guard will allow existing staff to relocate to other parts of the county to assure wider distribution of the vaccine to the communities who need it the most.

The COVID-19 vaccination site at the Lake County Fairgrounds opened earlier this year to help vaccinate 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, people must be registered on the Lake County AllVax system and bring their QR code, which will then be scanned before the vaccine is delivered.

“Health care workers and the Illinois National Guard members who have been supporting the state’s vaccine efforts deserve the utmost appreciation,” Morrison said. “Please, if you are eligible, get your vaccine and thank a health care worker.”

Additionally, any person in Illinois who meets the eligibility criteria can schedule an appointment at a state-supported mass vaccination site by visiting vaccine.cookcounty.il.gov.

CHICAGO – At a press conference Thursday, Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled an update to Phase 4 mitigations and capacity limits, known as the Bridge to Phase 5. State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), who has been a strong advocate for developing a safe, gradual reopening plan for the state, praised the announcement as a step in the right direction for the hospitality industry.

“Today’s announcement from Gov. Pritzker shows a true commitment to bringing jobs and revenue back to Illinois and to putting our state back on the road to recovery,” Feigenholtz said. “Hotels and other indoor venues have been closed for nearly a year, resulting in devastating losses to jobs, business and revenue. Now there is some light at the end of the tunnel for an industry that is the state’s second largest source of jobs.”

Feigenholtz chairs the Senate Tourism & Hospitality Committee. The committee has held several hearings featuring testimony from industry leaders, and Feigenholtz credits those hearings for having an impact on the governor’s newly announced plan.

“Planning and discussing a path forward is the only hope we have to bring jobs back and keep the tourism and hospitality industry alive,” Feigenholtz said. “I am confident that further details about capacity in hotels and conventions will be emerging soon. The hospitality industry desperately needs to get back on its feet.”

Last week, Feigenholtz penned an op-ed encouraging the governor to reopen venues. In the Bridge to Phase 5 plan, indoor venues can operate at 60% capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is fewer. In addition, individuals with proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from within the previous 3 days will not count against capacity.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is announcing a $200,000 Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant for the Rockford Park District to develop boat access areas in Rockford.

“With spring just around the corner, this grant will help Rockford further develop its riverfront access,” Stadelman said. “This investment will provide residents and visitors with easier access to enjoy the Rock River.”

The grant will help pay for parking lots, boat stalls, light poles, and painting at Mercyhealth Sportscore One Boating Area Development. The funding will also help install a new water pressure tank, vanities, a drinking fountain and LED lights for the restrooms at the same location.

The Boat Access Area Development Program provides financial assistance to local government agencies for the acquisition, construction, and expansion or rehabilitation of public boat and canoe access areas on Illinois’ lakes and rivers.

 “A more accessible river attracts more visitors to the Rockford area, and the local economy will benefit,” Stadelman said.

The program provides up to 100% of approved project construction costs and 90% of approved land acquisition costs. Revenue comes from marine motor fuel tax and boat and canoe registration fees. 

More information about the program is available here.

SPRINGFIELD – Disabled veterans, returning service members and those who are terminally ill would not need to get a trapping license under a plan by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that advanced out of the Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday.

Koehler is the sponsor of Senate Bill 1533, which provides a trapping license exemption for those groups.

CENTREVILLE – The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) has been chosen to receive $200,000 in state funding through the Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) announced Wednesday.

“This funding will help grow existing bike trail networks in the area,” Belt said. “Investing in our county bike trails offers people more opportunities for recreation and to get outside more often.”

SCCTD will use the grant funding to construct a 0.8-mile section of paved trail located along the west side of Old Collinsville Road in Fairview Heights from Munie Road to Frank Scott Parkway East.

The Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, was created in 1990 to provide grants to eligible local governments for projects that develop, rehabilitate or construct new bike trails. This year, the program will fund seven bike path projects across the state totaling more than $800,000.

More information about the program, eligible projects and the application process is available here.

CHICAGO – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz said he's pleased to see Cornell Square Park and Marquette Park receive funds through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Park and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) grant program to enhance recreational opportunities.

“I’m excited that two local parks will be able make improvements that will provide more recreational opportunities,” Munoz said. “This funding gives our communities the opportunity to enjoy these local parks even more, and for many years to come.”