PARK FOREST – To help residents pay their electric bills during times of economic hardship, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is encouraging residents to apply for aid through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

“With many Illinoisans facing income losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, families across the state are struggling to keep the lights on,” Joyce said. “Residents who need help paying their utility bills should take advantage of the LIHEAP program to relieve some of that financial burden.”

LIHEAP helps eligible low-income households and senior citizens afford home energy services, including heating, gas, propane and electricity. Enrollment for LIHEAP is currently underway and will continue through June 2021. Joyce is urging seniors and households in need of assistance, especially those with disconnection notices or high past-due balances, to apply online as soon as possible.

“It’s important for people to know there is assistance available,” Joyce said. “As we continue to navigate this pandemic, this program could help low-income families and seniors keep their utilities running.”

To find a local administering agency near you, visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website. 

DANVILLE – With census response rates in Henning and Rankin at a critical low, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is urging residents in these areas to complete the 2020 Census to ensure their communities aren’t left out of the final count.

“In order to get an accurate count, every resident in our community must respond to the Census,” Bennett said. “For every person we miss, we risk losing out on federal funding for our schools, hospitals and highway construction.”

Across Vermilion County, participation in the 2020 Census is lower than in the 2010 Census. Only 59.3% of Danville residents have completed their census forms this year, as opposed to 68.7% of residents in 2010. In Henning and Rankin, just 54.1% of residents have been counted—a decade ago, 71% of Henning residents and 63.2% of Rankin residents responded.

Residents can complete the census for their household at www.my2020census.gov. Higher self-response rates mean fewer individuals are likely to receive visits from census surveyors to be counted in person. This year, census surveyors are putting their and their families’ health at risk of COVID-19, and limiting visits may mean saving lives.

“We only get this opportunity once every 10 years,” Bennett said. “Help our community by taking a few minutes to make sure you are counted.”

To see local responses rates across Illinois and the entire nation, visit www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us. 

KANKAKEE – In an effort to support economic development in underserved communities, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced Kankakee will receive a grant through the Fast Track Public Infrastructure Capital program.

“It’s critical that we continue to update our infrastructure to meet the needs of our residents,” Joyce said. “Making streets more accessible is a vital step toward improving safety and mobility in our community.” 

The Fast Track program was created by the state to provide emergency assistance for businesses and communities facing economic hardship during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Currently, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has launched more than $300 million in emergency relief programs, with most of the funding available for businesses. 

The City of Kankakee was awarded $1.8 million for ADA sidewalk improvements. To be considered for funding, applicants were required to prove projects were located in an underserved area, promoted economic development for diverse business and could start within 90 days after being awarded.

“I appreciate the leadership of Governor Pritzker and Senator Joyce for prioritizing capital funds during the pandemic. Not only do these funds support infrastructure projects, but they create jobs,” said Kankakee Mayor Chastity Wells-Armstrong. “Furthermore, this administration will continue to move Kankakee forward by pursuing every opportunity for funding and addressing equity in our community as we target areas in the city which have experienced divestment during the last several decades.”

The Fast Track program is made possible through the Illinois statewide construction plan, known as Rebuild Illinois. For a list of cities that have been awarded Fast Track grants, click here. 

CANTON – In response to recent coal plant closures around the state, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) held an Energy Summit to discuss the future of energy policy in Illinois with Senate colleagues Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort), Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and stakeholders from Vistra Energy.

One proposal, which Koehler is sponsoring and Manar is co-sponsoring, would freeze property tax rates on coal, gas, and nuclear plants at pre-closure rates for a total of five years, ensuring local governments and school districts a consistent source of revenue in the short term. Additionally, it would provide an extra week of unemployment insurance benefits for those who are laid off from their job at a plant or mine.

SPRINGFIELD – To call for increased assistance from Vistra Energy for communities affected by recent power plant closures, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) attended an Energy Summit with fellow Senate lawmakers and stakeholders in Canton, Illinois today. Attending the summit from Montgomery County were Montgomery County Treasurer Nikki Lohman, Hillsboro Community School District Superintendent Dave Powell and Montgomery County Supervisor of Assessments Ray Durston.

When the Coffeen Power Station closed its doors nearly one year ago, Manar began collaborating with colleagues in Springfield to evaluate the best path forward to help families and local governments affected by several closures statewide.

“We know from firsthand experience that the coal industry has been a key cog in the downstate economy for decades.  But, we also know that we have to be realistic when it comes to the industry’s current condition,” Manar said. “Welcoming solar energy infrastructure would create jobs and undo some of the damage done to the local economies in Coffeen and Canton, but that’s not an immediate solution to the problems these people have right now.”

Though the legislative session was delayed by COVID-19, one proposal Manar is co-sponsoring would require property tax assessments on coal, gas, and nuclear plants to be frozen at pre-closure rates for five years, ensuring local governments and school districts with a consistent source of revenue in the short term.  Additionally, it provides an extra week of unemployment insurance benefits for those who are laid off from their job at a plant or mine.

“The task of providing relief to communities that have been directly harmed by the decision to shut down power plants has fallen to the legislature,” Manar said. “As we move forward to confront this challenge, our goals must include providing middle class families, local governments and school districts with as much leeway as possible to ease their revenue losses and tax burdens.” 

This legislation will likely be a piece of a larger package of energy legislation that could be taken up as early as the fall veto session.

GRANITE CITY – In an effort to help teachers adapt to a school year that will rely heavily on e-learning, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) coordinated with officials at Granite City Community Unit School District #9 to ensure 3,000 Chromebooks were ready for students to begin class next week.

“Spending the day unboxing Chromebooks is not how I think anybody expected to be spending their time leading up to school this year, but teachers have stepped up to the task of teaching students while also keeping them and their community safe,” Crowe said. “By offering this service, we’re doing our part to provide a safe environment for students in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I thank Senate President Don Harmon for agreeing to this partnership.”

CHICAGO – During a time when many Illinois businesses are struggling with tough financial decisions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) is excited to see 24 local businesses have been awarded a combined $430,000 through the Business Interruption Grant program.

“The hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic have taken a toll on small businesses in our communities,” Martwick said. “The BIG program provides funding many business owners need to stay afloat, and I’m glad to see a number of local establishments on this list of recipients.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded a total of $46 million to 2,655 small businesses in the first round of BIG funding. The BIG program offers grants to Illinois restaurants and bars, barbershops and salons, fitness centers, and other businesses that have suffered pandemic-related losses, with a focus on businesses in the hardest-hit areas of the state.

First round grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 and may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent and utilities. The funds may also be used to cover pandemic-related expenses, such as personal protective equipment, training and new technology.

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the COVID-19 economic downturn. The full list of grant recipients is available here.

CHICAGO – Chicagoans reentering the workforce face new challenges, given the record high unemployment rates caused by the pandemic, which is why State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) wants people to be aware of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Second Chance Program.

“The Second Chance Program is exactly that: a second chance,” Van Pelt said. “It provides opportunities for people who have been struggling to find work and for people looking to turn their lives around.”

Through the Second Chance program, professional services such as trainings, education, mentoring and networking opportunities are provided to people returning from prison, victims of abuse and others who have a harder time finding employment.

This holistic approach equips those reentering the workforce with the skills necessary to support themselves, which is a crucial step in decreasing recidivism. Over a thousand Chicagoans have participated in this program, which has become one of the largest reentry programs in the nation.

“When recidivism persists, no one wins,” Van Pelt said. “People reentering the workforce need support. They deserve a chance to provide for themselves and for their families. They deserve to contribute to the economy, rather than taxpayer dollars being spent on their re-incarceration because a lack of opportunity led them back into a life of crime.”

The CTA has hired at least 300 Second Chance participants, while many others have moved on to private-sector jobs.

Job seekers looking to apply for the CTA Second Chance Program or find more information at TransitChicago.com/secondchance.