PARK FOREST – January is Radon Action Month, and State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is emphasizing the importance of early detection of radon and urging people to test their homes for this harmful gas.

“Higher levels of radon in the home can lead to life-threatening health issues, such as lung cancer,” Joyce said. “With more people staying at home, it’s important to test your home, whether it’s old or new, for radon to prevent unnecessary deaths.” 

Radon gas is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the nation, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. Statistics show radon has been found in nearly 40% of homes tested in Illinois. Areas in the central and northern regions, like Kankakee and Grundy Counties, are shown to have higher levels of radon in the soil.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. This odorless, colorless, tasteless gas comes from the natural breakdown of the soil, and it enters buildings through small cracks in the foundation, sump pits, crawl spaces, floor drains and more. If not properly mitigated, radon gas can reach drastically high levels and cause major health concerns.   

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American Lung Association in Illinois are hosting two statewide contests that urge students to use their creative talents to promote radon awareness. High school students are invited to submit a 30-second commercial style video, and middle school students can design a poster to urge residents to test their homes for radon. For more information and to enter, click here.

“We are asking our youth to get involved and use their creativity to raise awareness,” Joyce said. “I encourage students to participate in the contests and submit an entry.”

For more information about radon, visit www.radon.illinois.gov. Information is also available through IEMA’s Radon Hotline at 800-325-1245.

GRAYSLAKE – Many families have faced financial burdens and tough decisions about whether to return to work or provide care for their children, but Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) wants people to know that under a new child care co-pay cap, people can do both.

Families who use the Child Care Assistance Program will now have their child care co-pays capped to $1.25 per month for the first two months of 2021.

“Some families have had their hands tied during the COVID-19 pandemic. They needed to return to work but couldn’t afford to send their children back to child care due to being furloughed or laid off,” Bush said. “Thanks to the new cap on the CCAP co-pay, more parents will be able to provide for their families while having the peace of mind their children are being taken care of.”

The co-pay cap is applicable in January and February of 2021. The Child Care Assistance Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services and provides access to affordable, quality child care for low-income and working-class families. This allows families to continue working or attending school without having to worry about how they will pay for the care of their children.

“The co-pay reduction will take an enormous weight off the shoulders of working class families,” Bush said. “Thousands of families will now be able to return to some sense of normalcy.”

More information regarding CCAP eligibility, including how to apply, can be found on the IDHS website.

CHICAGO – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) emphasizes the importance of early detection of radon and encourages residents to test their homes during Radon Action Month.

“The pandemic and the onset of winter weather mean people are spending more time at home, so it’s especially important to be aware of the potential risks of radon exposure,” Munoz said. “Over 1,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with radon-related lung cancer each year, and a simple at-home test can help keep you and your family healthy.”

Radon gas is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the nation, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. Statistics show radon has been found in nearly 40% of homes tested in Illinois. Cities located in the central and northern regions are shown to have higher levels of radon in the soil.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. This odorless, colorless, tasteless gas comes from the natural breakdown of the soil, and it enters buildings through small cracks in the foundation, sump pits, crawl spaces, floor drains and more. If not properly mitigated, radon gas can reach drastically high levels and cause major health concerns.   

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American Lung Association in Illinois are hosting two statewide contests that urge students to use their creative talents to promote radon awareness. High school students are invited to submit a 30-second commercial style video, and middle school students can design a poster to urge residents to test their homes for radon. For more information and to enter, click here. 

“This is a chance to give students an opportunity to show their artistic ability while raising awareness of the risks of radon exposure,” Munoz said.

For more information about radon, visit www.radon.illinois.gov. Information is also available through IEMA’s Radon Hotline at 800-325-1245.

BUFFALO GROVE – Thanks to donations from generous residents of the district she represents, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) will give more than 40 coats and 200 hats to local organizations to help people stay warm this winter.

“Many of us take having winter coats, gloves and hats for granted – not realizing how many people go without each cold season,” Johnson said. “I am so grateful to the people across the district who generously donated jackets that will keep their neighbors warm.”

Senator Johnson held three temporary drop-off locations throughout the district: one in North Chicago, one in Vernon Hills and one in Waukegan. Members of the community donated enough coats to keep dozens of men, women and children of Lake County warm this winter.

When Lake County resident Pat Pertolanitz heard about Senator Johnson’s coat drive, she knew she wanted to help – but with a personal touch. Pertolanitz created and donated 200 hand-knitted hats.

“The generosity of Ms. Pertolanitz is unmatched,” Johnson said. “Not only was she willing to donate to our efforts, but she worked tirelessly to craft hats people will be able to use for years. I am beyond thankful for her kindness.”

The collected donations will be given to Vernon Hills Park District, the Urban Muslim Minority Alliance, Waukegan Township and the Lake County Sheriff's Office to then be distributed to local residents.

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement regarding the treacherous acts the country witnessed today in Washington, D.C.:

CHAMPAIGN – To help high school seniors and adult students stay on track with their college plans amid the pandemic, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) supports the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s (ISAC) efforts to assist students in completing financial aid applications.

“It’s vital that students know about and receive the financial aid they’re eligible for, especially during these unprecedented times,” said Bennett, a member of the Senate Higher Education Committee. “As students continue to navigate the pandemic and plan for the future, I’m thrilled to see Illinois leading the way.”

According to the governor’s office, Illinois closed out the year ranking the number-one state for completions of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the form most students use to apply for federal and state financial aid for post-secondary education.

ELGIN – Families who use the Child Care Assistance Program will have their child care co-pays capped to $1.25 per month in the first two months of 2021. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), who has long been an advocate for working-class families, is hopeful the cap will relieve some of the burden from those who need it most.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many parents to decide between continuing to work and providing child care for their children,” Castro said. “This is a difficult choice that nobody should have to make, and my hope is that with a new cap on the co-pay under CCAP, they won’t have to.”

MARYVILLE – To provide support for families looking to send a student to college, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) are urging residents to explore financial aid resources through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

“The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on the college aspirations of students from low-income backgrounds,” Belt said. “Providing these students and their families the college and career planning resources they need is more important than ever.”

To address pandemic-related challenges facing high schools and graduating seniors as they work to complete financial aid applications for the Fall 2021 semester, ISAC has added initiatives to its college outreach programs, including online workshops and other virtual assistance options.