SPRINGFIELD – On Tuesday, Nov. 24, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) convened the Illinois State Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee to discuss the handling of the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, which has already claimed 27 lives. 

“What’s been happening at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home is a tragedy,” Cullerton said. “I called this hearing to get clear answers about what happened and what’s being done to fix it. Transparency is the key to ensuring our veterans are receiving the care they deserve.”

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma pleads guilty, accepts responsibility in opioid epidemic

MARYVILLE – In response to news that Purdue Pharma has pled guilty in federal court and formally accepted responsibility for its part in the national opioid epidemic, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon), chairwoman of the Illinois Senate Special Committee on Opioid Crisis Abatement, released the following statement:

“Tuesday’s guilty plea by Purdue Pharma is a win for families with loved ones facing addiction. 

“This case is a prime example of corporations putting profits over people, and I’m glad to see justice has been served. Unfortunately, Purdue Pharma isn’t the only company to blame. It’s time to close loopholes and put a stop to the exploitation of patients in need for financial gain.

“My thoughts are with those suffering from an opioid addiction due to corporate greed, and I’m committed to improving and expanding addiction prevention and treatment programs to put Illinois on the road to recovery.”

DANVILLE – To uplift the residents at local long-term care facilities and spread holiday cheer, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is collecting holiday cards to deliver to the residents at Gardenview Manor and Danville Care.

“This holiday season will be especially challenging for folks living at long-term care facilities,” Bennett said. “With the holidays being celebrated differently this year, we have to be a bit more creative to show support and compassion to our seniors.”

Bennett is encouraging Vermilion County residents to write cards, which can be homemade or store-bought, to help spread some holiday cheer during this difficult time.

“I will be delivering these cards to the residents so they feel a sense of community this holiday season,” Bennett said. “Please take a few minutes of your time and send a card to an older neighbor in our community.”

Bennett is also encouraging kids to participate and make homemade cards.

Cards can be delivered to Bennett’s Danville office through Monday, Dec. 14:

State Senator Scott Bennett

201 N. Vermilion St., Suite 323

Danville, IL 61832

For more information or to arrange a separate pick-up time, call Betty at 217-442-5252 or visit SenatorBennett.com. 

PLAINFIELD – As the holiday season quickly approaches, businesses continue to struggle to stay afloat amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To help those businesses, State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) is urging Will County residents to shop locally.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we need to keep our local businesses in our minds,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Our local businesses are the heart and soul of our communities. I encourage residents to support our business community however we can to help them during this difficult time.”    

EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has allocated up to $1 million to help with flooding issues in Centreville, Alorton and East St. Louis, and State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is pleased that local homeowners will have a say in how the problems are tackled. 

“Families in the Metro-East deserve to have their homes and valuables secure from floods,” Belt said. “Flooding issues have been a continuous concern in the community and I am pleased to announce that local leaders can take advantage of this grant opportunity to provide long-term relief for community members.” 

MARYVILLE – To ensure residents are safe during the holidays, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is promoting tips to use in the kitchen to avoid house fires, as Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires involving cooking equipment.

“This holiday season looks different with the global pandemic, but many are cooking for their families, and fire safety is still important,” Crowe said. “I urge residents to take precautions when cooking, especially if you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the first time.”

According to National Fire Protection Association and National Fire Incident Reporting System data, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 166,100 home fires per year involving cooking equipment.

Some tips to keep in mind when preparing food this holiday are:

• not leaving the kitchen while frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food,
• using the turkey fryer outdoors only and
• using long cooking gloves that protect hands and arms when handling hot pots.

For additional Fire Safety information, visit the NFPA website or the Office of the State Fire Marshal website.

Manar continues efforts to expand Downstate broadband access

BUNKER HILL — Continuing his efforts to close the broadband gap, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced the availability of three programs to improve access to internet services Downstate.

Manar, who chairs the Senate Appropriations II Committee and serves as a lead budget negotiator for the Illinois Senate Democrats, has long advocated for the modernization of high-speed internet infrastructure in Downstate communities.

Read more.

Glowiak Hilton congratulates public museum grantees in DuPage County

OAKBROOK TERRACE — The Elmhurst History Museum and Lombard Historical Society will receive a combined $1 million in grants through the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) announced last week.

“Our museums hold the history of our state and help share that heritage through education and exhibits,” Glowiak Hilton said. “This funding will allow our museums to create new and enlightening experiences for generations of Illinois residents.”

Read more.

Peters encourages communities to be safe during Thanksgiving holiday

CHICAGO — With the holiday season fast approaching during a public health crisis, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is enouraging everyone to keep up with safe practices during the holidays.

"I know that the holiday season is a time that we all want to be with our family, friends and loved ones to celebrate everything that is important to us, and so it is important to remember that if you do choose to celebrate, you do so in a way that is safe in order to keep everyone healthy," Peters said.

Read more.

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BUNKER HILL – To ensure local first responders have the equipment necessary to keep residents safe, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) is encouraging fire departments and ambulance services to apply for the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Small Equipment Grant Program.

Manar, who serves as Chair of the Senate Appropriations II Committee, cemented this annual program’s funding during last spring’s budget negotiations.

“It’s no secret that rural fire departments and ambulance services are continuously underfunded,” Manar said. “I saw a clear need to help first responders everywhere afford the equipment necessary to save lives, and that’s why I fought to include this program in the state budget.”

The program was created to help Illinois fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services that struggle to afford necessary equipment do their jobs.

In June, the Small Equipment Grant Program awarded $3.5 million to 154 fire departments and EMS providers. Applicants can also apply for personal infection control items such as masks, gowns and gloves.

“Our first responders have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic since day one,” Manar said. “This is simply one small way of reaffirming our dedication to the women and men who continue serving their neighbors.”

Most Illinois fire departments, fire protection districts and township fire departments are eligible to apply. Stand-alone, not-for-profit ambulance service providers are eligible to apply as well.

For more information, visit the state fire marshal’s website.