CHAMPAIGN — To prevent fatalities on the farm during the busy harvest season, Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture in reminding farmers and farm workers to be cautious when working in and around grain bins.

“Grain handling is always a high-hazard undertaking for farm workers,” Bennett said. “Accidents can happen in a matter of seconds, because moving grain acts like quicksand. If you must go inside a grain bin, make sure you take the proper safety precautions to prevent an accident or injury.”

ROCKFORD — As parents continue to return to in-office work, they’re relying on child care providers more than ever. At the same time, many of those providers struggling to keep afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is urging Rockford area child care providers facing financial struggles due to COVID-19 to apply for the next round of Business Interruption Grants to help them remain open and provide more options for parents.

“An unprecedented number of parents are looking for child care providers with so many students doing hybrid or remote learning. Unfortunately, these providers were some of the hardest hit businesses due to the pandemic.” Stadelman said. “Now, their demand is higher than ever, which is why I’m urging providers to apply for these grants. They need to keep their doors open, and parents need safe places to take their kids.”

DECATUR – Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) demonstrated their commitment to the success of the City of Decatur by taking an afternoon tour of several local businesses and social service centers yesterday.

Manar, who serves as the Chair of the Senate Appropriations II Committee and a lead budget negotiator for the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus, emphasized the importance of providing support to communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

“Throughout the day, we saw firsthand the value provided to Decatur by the vibrant local business and social service communities, but we also saw the immense difficulty COVID-19 has caused them,” Manar said. “I’m thankful for the partnership of Lt. Gov. Stratton, who understands the need for long-term, equitable solutions in our communities.”

PEORIA – In a letter to Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) urged an investigation into the Legionnaires’ Disease outbreak at the UAW Senior Citizen Center housing facility in Pekin.

“People at the UAW center are now living with the threat of two infectious diseases circulating in their home,” Koehler said. “This matter could spiral out of control quickly, and coupled with COVID-19 infection, it would be a disaster for the folks residing at this facility. I look forward to working alongside the IDPH, their team, and the building’s management to implement measures to address the disease.”

At the present time, residents of the 215 apartments in the facility are unable to use faucets, leaving them with filtered showerheads as their only source of water.

To follow up the letter to the IDPH, Koehler, along with his wife Nora Sullivan, matched a Salvation Army donation of 215 cases of bottled water for those impacted by the outbreak. Area residents can also assist their neighbors by dropping off water donations to the facility at 444 S. Parkway Dr., Pekin, Illinois 61554.

WOOD RIVER – Following weeks of stricter COVID-19 guidelines in an effort to mitigate the virus in the Metro East, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is pleased local restaurants will be able to return to normal rules under Stage 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan.

“Our small businesses were the hit the hardest by this mitigation plan,” Crowe said. “Because of the commitment by the people of the Metro East to mask up and practice social distancing, these businesses will be able to return to operating how they were before the spike in cases.”

According to Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Region Four has continued to move in the right direction – resulting in a positivity rate below 6.5% for three days. The benchmark hit Friday allows the region to remove its additional mitigation rules at 5 p.m.

“I want to thank every community member who helped us get to this point,” Crowe said. “But, remember, it’s still important to continue to mask up. Though we all wish it was, the COVID-19 outbreak is not over yet.”

CENTREVILLE, Ill.—The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus will unveil their final pillar, health care and human services, as part of their efforts to develop an agenda to eliminate systemic racism ahead of the upcoming fall legislative session. The press conference will be on Friday, Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. at Touchette Regional Hospital located at 5900 Bond Avenue, Centreville, IL. Members from both chambers will discuss their efforts to deliver fair, quality health care and human services to Black communities throughout Illinois.

Health care and human services is the last of four pillars guiding the Black Caucus’ efforts to build an agenda to rid the state’s institutions of racism. The pillars include:

• Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
• Education and workforce development
• Economic access, equity and opportunity
• Health care and human services

Members will then participate in a joint virtual hearing of the Senate Public Health and Human Services committees at 2 p.m. The hearing will focus on social determinants and social influencers of health and health disparities. The Black Caucus has called for a series of hearings for each pillar. Ten hearings have already been held on the first three.

What: Press conference, followed by virtual joint Senate committee hearing

Who: Illinois Legislative Black Caucus

When: Friday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m.

Where: The press conference will be held at Touchette Regional Hospital located at 5900 Bond Avenue, Centreville, IL 62207. It can also be viewed on www.blueroomstream.com, a subscription-based service.

DOLTON – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) an advocate for the inclusion of minorities in all industries, voiced his support on giving Black businesses the tools they need to succeed and compete in Illinois business marketplace at a hearing Thursday.

“Black business owners often face more hurdles when it comes to obtaining working capital and resources,” Harris said. “It’s no secret that minority-owned business owners often have weaker banking relationships than white business owners. However, as a state, we can help provide the tools to help Black businesses succeed.”

A joint Senate Executive, Commerce and Economic Development, Financial Institutions and Labor Committees Subject Matter Hearing covered the importance of entrepreneurship and small businesses in Black communities Thursday.

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined the Senate Education and Higher Education Committees for a hearing focused on the Black history curriculum and student success programs in Illinois elementary and high schools.

Wednesday’s hearing was the fourth hearing dedicated to education and workforce development, the second pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda to rid Illinois of systemic racism.

“It’s clear that it shouldn’t be difficult for children to learn about famous figures in history,” Lightford said. “Children should also learn about Black history in a way that is relatable and empowering, while also not hiding its truth and past atrocities. The State Board of Education should mandate a curriculum that incorporates lessons about all marginalized populations into their history classes.”