SPRINGFIELD – Area farmers who need someone to talk to about the everyday stresses of farming and pandemic-related challenges now have a new resource. A new helpline (1-833-FARM-SOS) will connect farmers to health professionals and services through the Farm Family Resource Initiative.

In addition to the helpline, the initiative offers ongoing outreach, education and training to rural partners working to improve the health and safety of farm families. Free webinars and trainings on psychological signs of stress and Mental Health First Aid offer program participants skill-building tools to meet the needs of rural clients and farmers.

“Small farms are the core of our state’s economy, and farmers are on the front lines to provide food for our communities. The reality of this pandemic is that a new layer of stress has been put on farmers and farm families,” said Senator Scott Bennett. “The Farm Family Resource Initiative and helpline will give farmers additional support to help folks recognize and navigate these times.”

SPRINGFIELD – As many businesses continue to struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) is reminding small business owners to apply for the second round of Business Interruption Grants, a key piece of the State of Illinois’ pandemic response effort.

Manar, the Senate Appropriations II Committee Chair, played a key role in securing funding for this program during last spring’s budget negotiations.

“Crafting a budget to keep our state afloat during a period of sustained economic devastation requires difficult decisions, but throughout the process I remained steadfast that our small business community had to be prioritized,” Manar said. “We aren’t out of the woods yet, and that means we must continue taking every opportunity to infuse dollars into small businesses so that they live to see the end of this.”

Applications for the second round of the Business Interruption Grants (BIG) program are available now and will offer $220 million in funds for small businesses hit hardest by the ongoing pandemic.

The second wave of funds from BIG aims to provide relief for all types of small businesses, with a focus on businesses located downstate and in disproportionately impacted areas. Application information for the second round of funds and can be found on DCEO’s website at Illinois.gov/dceo.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – During a virtual event held by the Alzheimer’s Association, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to support residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.

“Many older adults are suffering from isolation and other health complications during the pandemic, and these effects can be even worse for the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By supporting and advocating for residents, families and caregivers affected by the disease, we can improve care and provide additional resources where they are most needed.”

CHICAGO – Illinois lawmakers examined police reform during Tuesday’s joint hearing of the Senate Criminal Law Committee and Senate Special Committee on Public Safety, the seventh hearing on criminal justice reform prompted by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to examine and address systemic racism in the state.

“We must have a system that is more just and equitable for both communities and police,” Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) said. “If a defendant is guilty, they should be held accountable but there should not be a thumb placed on the scale to make someone plead to something that they did not do. That is not justice. We have to make sure that we are holding the right people accountable.”

PARK FOREST – As flu season approaches, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights), and State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin (D-Olympia Fields) will co-host a drive-up flu shot clinic in the parking lot of Freedom Hall in Park Forest from 3 to 6 p.m.

“Getting a flu shot is an easy way for Illinoisans to protect themselves and their families from the flu,” Joyce said. “This drive-up clinic will make getting a flu vaccine easier and more convenient for folks, while abiding by IDPH’s health guidelines.”

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is partnering with Walgreens to host a community flu shot clinic in the back lot of the Illinois Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 3 to 6 p.m.

“This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s extremely important to protect yourself from the flu,” Bennett said. “Increasing the number of people who are vaccinated can help reduce the number of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths. By pulling together, we can lessen the strain on our hospitals and health care workers this flu season and save lives.”

CHICAGO – Monday, the Senate Human Services and Public Health Committees held a joint hearing on behavioral health issues and disparities in Illinois, where State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) advocated for more Black and Brown behavioral health professionals, as well as increased options for treatment in communities of color.

 “Not only do Black Illinoisans have less access to behavioral health centers, they are less likely to have insurance and more likely to deal with doctors who don’t look like them,” Hunter said. “Many of these medical professionals have implicit biases and need to be trained on cultural competency.”

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that two-thirds of Blacks and Latinos with a mental illness and nearly 90% with a substance use disorder do not receive treatment.

“Lack of access to treatment is harming Black communities, which often face more behavioral and mental health issues,” Hunter said. “The opioid crisis, combined with COVID-19 and systemic racism, is a serious threat that needs to be addressed thoroughly.”

Data from the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois found that though African Americans make up under 24% of the Cook County's population, they account for more than 50% of all opioid deaths in the county this year.

Committee members heard from Dan Rabbitt, Senior Manager of Health Policy of Heartland Alliance, who recommended that the General Assembly support the following:

• Investing in prevention and proper medication distribution
• Integrating medications used for opioid disorder
• Reducing criminal penalties for low level drug offenses

CEO of the Community Behavioral Health Association Marvin Lindsey also recommended that the General Assembly support maintaining telehealth flexibility, which he believes will help increase health care accessibility for Black patients.

Future joint hearings for the Public Health and Human Services Committees will be scheduled next month.

Munoz announces second round of broadband expansion grant applications

CHICAGO — Applications for a second round of grants to expand broadband in underserved communities was recently announced, and State Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is encouraging any group eligible to apply.

“Lack of quality broadband access continues to severely affect families across the state,” Munoz said. “People depend on vital services to keep them connected by virtual means during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as e-learning, telehealth care services and connecting with family and friends.”

Read more.

Harmon: Deanna Demuzio dedicated her life to community and public service

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement on the passing of former state senator Deanna Demuzio:

“Deanna Demuzio dedicated her life to community and public service. Along the way, she made great friends and taught us all so much about how to be better. She fought hard to improve our education system after years spent working at Lewis and Clark Community College and to fight for better health care given how it affected her family. She took up all of this after tragically losing another great friend of Illinois, her husband, Senator Vince Demuzio.”

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Manar meets with children's advocacy group to address downstate child abuse issues

SPRINGFIELD — To discuss further steps to assist survivors of child abuse in the Springfield area and throughout downstate, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) met with Sangamon County Children’s Advocacy Center employees and Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois advocates Thursday.

During last spring’s budget negotiations, Manar, who chairs the Senate Appropriations II Committee, fought to ensure that Children’s Advocacy Centers received the funding they need to continue providing crucial treatment services.

Read more.

Black Caucus committee round up for week of Oct. 19

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus held a number of hearings throughout the week to dive further into racial disparities across all sectors of life and to continue to build upon its four-pillar legislative agenda to eliminate systemic racism ahead of the fall veto session.

Read more.

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