CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined the Senate Education and Higher Education Committees for a hearing focused on efforts to prepare Illinois youth to enter the workforce, including career and technical education (CTE) program, the Illinois Pathways program and the Illinois Postsecondary Workforce Readiness Act.

“With few or no work experience programs available in their communities, students can’t build the job readiness skills they’ll need to excel in the workforce after graduation,” Lightford said. “CTE programs are an essential part of preparing students for high-demand, skilled careers.”

CHICAGO – To discuss the importance of cultural competency and diversity within the health care workforce, Senate Public Health Chair Patricia Van Pelt and Health and Human Services Chair Julie Morrison will lead a joint Senate committee hearing Friday morning.

“Black people die because of implicit bias. There are doctors who don’t listen to their Black patients, and don’t believe them when they say they’re in pain,” Van Pelt said. “Views that stem from the era of slavery about Black people being subhuman are still prevalent today and that needs to be addressed. We need more diversity in the industry, and a better understanding of disparities Black and Brown patients face.”

“Children, families and individuals who enter the human services network are already on edge and uncomfortable – and the lack of diverse employees that can relate to them doesn’t help,” Morrison said. “We must do more to hire and retain a workforce that resembles the individuals we are trying to help. Through further understanding the needs of the communities and having more multilingual staff, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people in need.”

To watch the virtual committee, visit https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp and click "Watch Live Virtual Committee Video." The link will be available at 9 a.m.

Additional witnesses can submit written testimony online at www.ilga.gov.

WHO: Senate Public Health Committee Chair Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) and Health and Human Services Chair Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), and members of the committees

WHAT: A joint committee hearing on diversity and cultural competency in health care

WHERE: The virtual hearing can be viewed here: https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp#. Blue Room Stream, a subscription-based service, will also stream the hearing.

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 6 at 9 a.m.

GLENVIEW – The open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15, and State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is urging uninsured and underinsured Illinoisans to visit the marketplace now to explore their coverage options.

“Everyone deserves quality, affordable health insurance they can trust, especially during a global pandemic,” Senator Fine said. “Illinoisans have until Dec. 15 to shop the ACA Marketplace for a plan that fits their budget and their coverage needs.”

DEERFIELD –State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is pleased to learn 19 businesses in the district she represents have received financial assistance from the Business Interruption Grant program to help offset financial losses stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and she is encouraging more to apply.

“Small business owners have been some of the people hardest hit by the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Morrison said. “These funds will help them keep their doors open and their employees paid while keeping the community safe.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement after former Senator Maggie Crotty passed away:

"I was saddened to learn of the passing of Maggie Crotty, someone with whom I dearly loved working.

"Maggie and I came into the Senate at the same time. She had a rare combination of tenacity and toughness mixed with a kind and gentle demeanor. She would greet everyone with a smile and a hug, but she could size up a huckster a mile away. She never failed to stand up for the causes that were important to her.

CHICAGO – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is glad to learn more than 30 businesses in the district he represents have received financial assistance from the Business Interruption Grant program to help offset financial losses stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and he is encouraging more to apply.

“Our local small businesses are embedded in the culture of our community,” Munoz said. “They play an important role in serving our residents, and they need our support as they comply with the guidelines that keep us safe.”

WAUKEGAN – State Senator Adrian Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is reminding Lake County residents that Waukegan’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is now also accepting walk-ups and is encouraging everyone to get tested.

“I’m glad to see that this critical testing service is now more accessible than ever before,” Johnson said. “It’s still essential that we continue to test for this virus to understand its presence in our community and the rest of the state. If you’re experiencing symptoms or may have come in contact with COVID-19, I encourage you to stop by and get tested.”

The site is still located at 102 W. Water St., and testing is available from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily while supplies last.

A person receiving a walk-up test, should enter off Genesee Street and follow the line marked by orange cones. If arriving by car, anyone who wants to be tested must be seated at a functioning window. Once in line at the testing site, everyone must stay in the car.

CHICAGO — State legislators will continue their discussion on police reform during Thursday’s joint hearing of the Senate Criminal Law Committee and Senate Special Committee on Public Safety.

Senate Criminal Law Chair State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) and Senate Public Safety Special Committee Chair State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) will co-chair the joint hearing. State Representative Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago) of the House Judiciary-Criminal Law Committee and other members of the committees will participate as guests.

Discussions at the hearing will focus on the Uniform Peace Officers' Disciplinary Act, qualified immunity and officer liability.

It will be the eighth criminal justice reform hearing called by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. Criminal justice reform is one of four pillars the caucus is using to guide their agenda to address systemic racism. The pillars include:

1. Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
2. Education and workforce development
3. Economic access, equity and opportunity
4. Health care and human services

To watch the virtual committee, visit https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp and click "Watch Live Virtual Committee Video." The link will become available when proceedings begin.

Who: Senate Criminal Law Committee and Senate Special Committee on Public Safety

What: Joint hearing on police reform

When: 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5

Where: Virtual hearing can be viewed here: https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp#

Blue Room Stream, a subscription-based service, will also stream the hearing at https://livestream.com/blueroomstream/events/9326370.