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.

HIGHWOOD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement in response to recent and current events happening in our nation’s capital:

“The reported rhetoric spewed by newly-sworn in Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller is disgraceful and must be condemned by all people – regardless of political party, race or religion. Every person with a moral conscience should be offended by anyone quoting Adolf Hitler and should vilify these statements.

CHAMPAIGN – After being closed for more than a month due to a surge of COVID-19 cases, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is pleased to see Illinois driver services facilities reopen to the public starting Tuesday, Jan. 5.

“The secretary of state’s office has expanded online services so people can conveniently access these vital services from their homes,” Bennett said. “But I’m still glad to see the secretary of state’s office reopen for those who need to go into a facility, with health and safety precautions in mind.”

KANKAKEE – To help keep workplaces safe as employees return to work after the holidays, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) secured an Illinois Department of Public Health mobile COVID-19 testing site in Kankakee County.

“Many people coming back from celebrating the holidays are seeking COVID-19 tests,” Joyce said. “The mobile testing site is a convenient way to get tested, which in turn will help prevent the spread of the virus following the holidays.”

The mobile testing site will operate now through Wednesday, Jan. 6 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day at the Kankakee County Health Department, located at 2390 W. Station St. in Kankakee.

CHICAGO – The state-operated community-based testing site at Foreman Mills has moved to a new location at the former Save-A-Lot at 7938 S. Halsted St. as of Jan. 2, and will continue providing free COVID-19 testing without the need for insurance, referrals or appointments, State Senator Jacqueline Collins announced today.

“I am glad to continue working alongside Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Dept. of Public Health to ensure that this state-run testing site, the only one in Chicago, remains operational and located here in Auburn Gresham, one of the parts of the city that has been the hardest hit by the pandemic and home of the first known COVID-19 case and death,” Collins said. “I urge everyone to get the word out about the new location for this site, and I encourage everyone to take the time to get tested.”

The test site will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day of the week except Tuesday.

Collins was a vocal advocate for bringing a state-run, free testing site to the Auburn Gresham area, which opened this past spring – first located at the Studio Movie Grill, then at Foreman Mills and now at the former Save-A-Lot.

All Illinois Dept. of Public Health-operated community-based testing sites like the South Halsted Street location are open to anyone, and those seeking testing need not exhibit symptoms. A complete list of these community-based testing sites can be found on the Illinois Dept. of Public Health website at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/testing.

After 22 years of public service, Manar leaves legacy of fighting for everyday people

BUNKER HILL – After eight successful years in the Illinois Senate representing the 48th District and more than 22 years in public office, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced today that he will be resigning from the Illinois Senate on January 17, 2021. 

Manar was first elected to the Bunker Hill City Council at the age of 21 in 1997. He was elected Mayor of Bunker Hill in 2001 and Chaired the Macoupin County Board until his election to the Illinois Senate in 2012.  

During his tenure in the Senate, Manar passed numerous consequential laws that will have an impact on hardworking Illinois families for generations. Some highlights include Automatic Voter Registration, a statewide minimum wage for teachers, elimination of police ticket quotas, capping the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $100 per month, and the first ever regulation of pharmacy benefit managers.  Manar was a vocal supporter of labor unions, voting rights, access to affordable health care, teachers, and the LGBTQ community.

GLENVIEW – To make COVID-19 testing more convenient and accessible for residents of the North Shore, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) partnered with other local lawmakers and the Glenview Park District to open a new testing site at Flick Park Field House, located at 3600 Glenview Rd. in Glenview, starting Monday, Jan. 4.

“Testing is a critical tool in the fight against the pandemic, but many residents don’t have the time or ability to drive long distances to a testing site,” said Senator Fine. “I’m thrilled to be able to help provide this service to the people of the North Shore community, and I encourage anyone who has been exposed or who’s feeling under the weather to get tested.”

Senator Fine partnered with State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview), State Representative Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton, Congressman Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) to bring the testing site to the area.

Testing services are provided by Northshore Clinical Labs and are available to all at no out-of-pocket cost. Those who are insured must bring their insurance card, but testing is also available to uninsured Illinoisans with an ID. The site is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Testing is available by appointment only.

Learn more and schedule an appointment at http://bit.ly/flickparkcovid. With questions, contact Northshore Clinical Labs at (773) 570-6510 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Northshore Clinical Labs is not associated with NorthShore University HealthSystem.

###

PHOTO ATTACHED

CAPTION: State Senator Laura Fine (right) and State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz cut the ribbon on a new COVID-19 testing site at Flick Park Field House in Glenview.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law takes effect Jan 1, 2021 to prevent pharmaceutical and insurance companies from continuing to excessively profit off Illinoisans who manage their diabetes with insulin.

Co-sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), Senate Bill 667 makes Illinois the second state in the nation to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $100 per month for all patients using a state regulated insurance plan, regardless of the supply they require. 

“This law challenges corporate greed and ensures people with diabetes don’t pay unfair prices for a medication they cannot live without,” Holmes said. “I am ready to work with my colleagues in the upcoming legislative session to continue to reform prescription drug pricing and reduce patients’ out-of-pocket costs.” 

The cap applies to commercial insurance plans regulated by the state and increases annually based on data from the Department of Insurance, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The data will include findings on insulin pricing practices and recommendations to control and prevent overpricing of prescription insulin drugs.

Holmes worked alongside bill sponsor State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), and other advocacy groups to build a grassroots advocacy campaign to drive this historic legislation through the General Assembly.