Lawmakers encourage passage of nine specific measures during upcoming Veto Session.
In the wake of the numerous, ongoing federal investigations involving bribery, influence peddling and insider-trading impacting state government officials and lobbyists, a broad coalition of lawmakers gathered today to announce their support for nine specific ethics reform measures that they believe could receive bi-partisan support in the upcoming veto session.
Democratic lawmakers from both the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate say their proposals would dramatically increase transparency and take meaningful strides toward restoring public trust in state government. Specifically, lawmakers point to nine steps that relate directly to the activities of lobbyists, legislators, and General Assembly leadership:
Read more: Coalition of democratic lawmakers propose sweeping ethics reforms
OAK PARK – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) announced a grant of $12,500 to fund a mentoring program at Elmwood Park Library.
“Libraries provide a wide array of services to our communities, including valuable programming for young adults,” Harmon said. “This grant will help students gain skills that will set them up for success.”
The funding comes from Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White’s 2021 Project Next Generation grants to 28 public libraries statewide. PNG is a mentoring program created by Secretary White and administered through Illinois public libraries. Project mentors work with middle and high school students as the participants develop skills to use various technologies, achieve success through project-based learning and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal-setting and conflict resolution.
“I am committed to improving the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois,” said White. “I established this innovative program when I first became Secretary of State to give students an opportunity to receive hands-on experience with the latest technological tools at their local library.”
Projects were awarded grants from the Illinois State Library using federal Library Services and Technology Act funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Grants are awarded to public libraries serving culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations. For more information, visit http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/grants/png.html.
GLENVIEW – To address the widespread shortage of donated blood and potentially help treat patients with severe cases of COVID-19, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is hosting a blood drive Thursday, Aug. 27 from noon to 6 p.m. at Glenview Village Hall, located at 2500 E. Lake Avenue.
“Since the pandemic began in March, blood donations have been critically low. With more researchers looking into plasma therapy as a potential COVID-19 treatment, we need more donations from people with antibodies,” said Fine. “Donating blood is always important, but right now it could help us fight this virus.”
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.
Fine has partnered with Vitalant to host the event. To ensure the safety of all staff and donors, masks will be required.
Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment to donate, call 877-258-4825 or visit www.Vitalant.org and use the group code 857A.
CHICAGO – Illinoisans across the state have faced financial struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic — but those on Chicago’s South Side have been disproportionately affected. Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is urging those residents to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program.
“People desperately need help with rent,” Hunter said. “Though residents can’t get evicted right now, they will still need to pay their rent at some point. It’s my hope the program will help those who have been unemployed or not receiving income due to COVID-19 to catch up on their bills.”
Earlier this week, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced $150 million in available funds to help residents across the state during this national emergency by introducing the largest housing assistance program in the nation.
Tenants whose applications are approved will receive one-time grants of up to $5,000 paid directly to their landlords to cover missed rent payments beginning March 2020 and prepay payments through December 2020, or until the $5,000 is exhausted, whichever comes first.
Tenants are eligible if:
“Helping people most in need is what the government is supposed to do,” Hunter said. “I’m proud our state is able to do something impactful during this time.”
Residents who are eligible may apply online at era.idha.org. Applications for ERA will be accepted now through Aug. 21.
Please note, applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the application window may close early due to high volume.
CHICAGO – In an effort to ensure every community has a complete Census count, State Senator Emil Jones (D-Chicago) urges households in the Village of Riverdale and Robbins to fill out the 2020 Census.
“Every city and village need to understand the Census results will affect their everyday resources,” Jones said. “This means our hospitals, schools, and various other agencies could receive less funding if the population count is not accurate. Completing the Census is simple, so everyone should fill it out as soon as possible.”
Currently, the Village of Riverdale has a response rate of 48.4% and Village of Robbins has response rate of 50.9%. These rates are below the target levels. In 2020, Riverdale had a response rate of 55% and Robbins had a response rate of 59.2%.
“People of color have been systematically undercounted due to a number of access-related issues,” Jones said. “We must make sure our history does not repeat itself in this 2020 Census because our minority communities have the most to lose.”
Residents can complete the census for their household at https://my2020census.gov.
CHICAGO – August marks 100 years since the 19th Amendment was added to the United States Constitution, granting suffrage to women. State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), who currently serves as President of the Women’s Network of the National Conference of State Legislatures, moderated an NCSL event today celebrating a century of women’s enfranchisement.
“The recognition of the 19th Amendment is arguably one of the most important events in our country’s history, and the hundredth anniversary marks a landmark moment for women,” Feigenholtz said. “It reflects how far we have come and the work that is still ahead.”
Read more: Feigenholtz, NCSL commemorate a century of suffrage
SCHAUMBURG – Schaumburg Township District Library has received a $28,640 grant to provide mentorship opportunities to disadvantaged middle and high school students, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced.
“When we invest in our youth, the entire community benefits,” said Murphy. “This grant will allow our libraries not only to foster literacy and instill a love of learning in our communities, but also to give the next generation the tools they need to become tomorrow's leaders.”
The grant was awarded through the Fiscal Year 2021 Project Next Generation program, which is a mentoring program administered through Illinois public libraries. Mentors work with middle and high school students to help them develop skills needed to use technology and find success through project-based learning. Mentors also help students develop life skills, such as effective communication, goal setting and conflict resolution.
The Schaumburg Township District Library is one of 28 public libraries in the state to receive the grant.
In all, the secretary of state awarded more than $550,000 in Project Next Generation grants statewide. The money is provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Grants are awarded to public libraries that serve culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations.
“I am committed to improving the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois,” said White. “I established this innovative program when I first became secretary of state to give students an opportunity to receive hands-on experience with the latest technological tools at their local library.”
DANVILLE — The Danville Public Library has been chosen to receive a $22,479 grant from the Illinois Secretary of State to help provide technology and mentoring to local young people, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Tuesday.
“Peer mentorship can be extremely important for young people to achieve personal growth,” Bennett said. “This grant will give at-risk youth the tools they need to be successful in life with the guidance and support of a mentor.”
The Danville Public Library received this grant to support Project Next Generation (PNG), a mentoring program established by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to help middle and high school students develop technological skills, achieve success through project-based learning, and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal-setting and conflict resolution.
The secretary of state awarded $559,358 in 2021 PNG grants to 28 public libraries statewide. Grants are awarded to libraries that serve culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations.
Funds were provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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