CHICAGO – With $50 million in funding available through the Connect Illinois broadband expansion program starting Dec. 1, 2020, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) urged small businesses and residents to see if they qualify for help with their internet.

“With more of our lives taking place online during the pandemic, reliable Internet access is more important than ever,” Villanueva said. “I encourage small business owners, students and all community members to take advantage of this opportunity to get connected.”

Funding for the Connect Illinois program is made possible through the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction program, which dedicates $420 million to broadband infrastructure. Individual projects can receive up to $5 million.

The application for this round of grants will remain open through March 2021. More information and applications can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — As the cold winter months begin and the COVID-19 pandemic continues, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) and State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) urged Gov. JB Pritzker to establish a new moratorium against utility shut-offs. 

“The high cost associated with electricity and gas bills during the winter months are already difficult for so many at-risk families — the addition of layoffs stemming from the ongoing public health crisis will make it even harder,” Morrison said. “No one should have to worry about how to keep their family safe and warm. A warm home is a basic human necessity that absolutely no one should have to go without.”

Johnson and Morrison, alongside other members of the Illinois Senate, sent Pritzker a letter Monday, urging him to establish a moratorium against utility shut-offs this winter. Although the Illinois Commerce Commission previously negotiated a voluntary moratorium with some companies — it’s not mandatory, nor have all companies signed on. The members of the Senate who sent the letter told the governor Illinois residents need assurances that they will continue to have heat, even if the pandemic causes them financial hardship. 

“Families are already coping with the stress of potentially becoming ill from COVID-19. We must alleviate further potential illness stemming from a lack of proper heat,” Johnson said. “We, as Illinoisans, must continue to be nationwide leaders who show that we will prioritize every person’s needs — regardless of financial background, race or ZIP code.” 

Morrison and Johnson urge Pritzker to immediately create a utility moratorium plan.

SPRINGFIELD – Several Illinois state senators are calling on Gov. JB Pritzker to introduce a new moratorium on utility disconnections, as Illinois enters the dangerously cold part of the winter and the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated economic impact continue.

“We appreciate that the governor has continued his moratorium on evictions, but in Illinois, a home without heat is not a safe home in the winter,” said State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview). “We need to ensure that everyone continues to have a safe place to live until this crisis has passed.”

DES PLAINES – To help patients in need of donated blood and support efforts to find an effective treatment for COVID-19, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is hosting a blood drive Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Prairie Lakes Community Center, located at 515 E. Thacker St. in Des Plaines.

“At the beginning of the pandemic, blood donations hit a critical low, putting thousands of Illinoisans at risk,” Murphy said. “Now, blood donation is even more important, as researchers think it may have potential as a COVID-19 treatment. I urge anyone who is able to donate to make an appointment.”

All successful blood donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Researchers hope blood containing antibodies—also known as convalescent plasma—may help treat people with severe COVID-19 by boosting their ability to fight the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 17.2 million units of blood are used in transfusions every year for accident victims, cancer patients, hemophiliacs, surgery patients and more. In March, the CDC issued a statement encouraging healthy people to donate blood at blood centers that adhere to public health and safety guidelines.

Murphy has partnered with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois to host the event. To ensure the safety of all staff and donors, masks will be required.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins may be accommodated. To schedule an appointment to donate, visit http://bit.ly/BloodDrive-12-8-20.

CHAMPAIGN – As snow-and-ice season nears, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) joins the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police in reminding drivers to take steps to prepare themselves to navigate the winter driving season safely.

“Winter weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to check current road conditions before heading out,” Bennett said. “If you don’t need to be on the roads, consider canceling your travel plans. If you can’t avoid driving, plan ahead and make sure you have an emergency kit in your vehicle.”

Have a safe Thanksgiving!

Wishing you a safe Thanksgiving!

The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus would like to wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

We would also like to express our appreciation for the work you’ve done to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

But, the pandemic is not over. As we embark on the holiday season, we must remain vigilant and continue to follow guidelines and protocols to keep our friends, family and community safe.

This holiday season, we urge you to stay home and celebrate the holidays with the loved ones you live with while taking advantage of technology to communicate with those who you don’t. Staying home this winter should allow us all to be together for the next holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving to all — and please stay safe. Click here to view a special message from the Senate President.

Shop small this holiday season

There’s no question the ongoing public health crisis has been hard on us all — especially small businesses that have seen less traffic this year.

To support our main streets across the state, we encourage you to shop small this holiday season — and that starts with this week’s Small Business Saturday. Consider buying gifts for your loved ones from local mom and pop shops rather than big box stores or their online-only competitors. Together, we can help keep our beloved local businesses open.

Supporting local businesses, however, doesn’t just mean going to brick and mortar stores. You can also support small businesses through online or curbside sales, ordering carry out from a locally owned restaurant or buying a gift card for a friend. For every dollar spent at a small business, 67 cents stays in the community.

As a reminder to any small business owner, there is still time to apply for the state’s Business Interruption Grant program. For more information and to apply, click here.

Copyright 2020 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus would like to wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

We would also like to express our appreciation for the work you’ve done to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

But, the pandemic is not over. As we embark on the holiday season, we must remain vigilant and continue to follow guidelines and protocols to keep our friends, family and community safe.

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is pleased to announce the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance will receive $595,600 in Public Museum Capital Grants to help renovate the visitor lobby.

“The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance has influenced the city’s West Side for decades,” Van Pelt said. “I am excited for the eventual renovations that will bring more traction to the city.”

Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance is one of 43 Illinois museums who will receive a collective $22.8 million in capital investments to improve their facilities and develop new exhibits. The investments come from the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program, which were funded through Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois multi-year state capital program.

The Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is open to any museum operated by local government or located on municipally-owned land. The maximum grant award for the projects announced was $750,000 and matching funds are required in many cases based on museum attendance levels.

More information on the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program is available on the IDNR website.