CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), a longtime advocate for clean energy and environmental equity, released the following statement upon hearing Gov. JB Pritzker’s eight principles to move Illinois toward green energy:

“This is a great step toward clean energy, but we still have a long way to go to address the existential threat climate change poses to environmental justice communities, from lakefront erosion to polluted air and lead in water across the state and throughout the world.”

FRANKFORT — To reduce long lines and to protect vulnerable populations, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) is urging older adults to take advantage of the driver’s license expiration date extension from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.

“We have to continue taking every precaution when it comes to mitigating the spread of this virus,” Hastings said. “I’m pleased that Secretary White’s office is taking the initiative to reduce crowd sizes and make life easier for our people by any means possible.”

In addition to being 75 years of age or older, the driver must have a valid license—drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked do not qualify for the one-year extension. Eligible drivers should soon receive a letter from the secretary of state as proof that they qualify.

For drivers under age 75, expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and license plate stickers have been extended until Nov. 1, 2020. Customers who choose to visit a facility must wear a face mask. In addition, customers are asked to be patient due to heavy volume and to be prepared to wait outside in various types of weather.

Residents are encouraged to visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com to avoid waiting in line and take advantage of online services, including replacements and renewals of registrations, driver’s licenses and ID cards.

More information regarding services provided at local Secretary of State facilities can be found at www.ilsos.gov/facilityfinder/facility, and the facility in Decatur can be reached by phone at 217-875-1650.

CHAMPAIGN – To help save homeowners money on their utility bills, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is hosting a free virtual clinic with the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. 

“This clinic will give people the opportunity to learn how to reduce their utility bills,” Bennett said.  “With so many people struggling, I’m glad to be able to connect them with available resources to help them save their hard-earned money.”

Starting Aug. 25 at 9 a.m., residents will be able to register for a virtual one-on-one consultation with a CUB professional to discuss lowering their electric, water, gas, phone, cable and internet bills. After registrants have selected a time slot, they will receive details for a private video call with a CUB representative.

During the clinic, the representative will evaluate participants’ bills to determine if they are signed up with an alternative supplier or paying for unnecessary products or services. CUB will also let participants know if they are eligible for money-saving programs, like financial assistance, and share information about energy efficiency programs.

Senator Bennett encourages residents to take advantage of this free clinic to keep their utility usage and costs in check.

For more information on the program, visit www.citizensutilityboard.org or contact Bennett’s office at 217-355-5252.

MARYVILLE – To help keep Illinois’ senior residents from waiting in line at the DMV, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) alerted drivers age 75 and older that their driver’s license expiration dates have been extended by one year.

“With long wait times at the DMV, usually requiring patrons to wait outside, the one-year extension for senior drivers is the latest action to help seniors avoid or delay a visit during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Crowe said. “This extension will give our elder population the option to plan a visit when they are comfortable, with no penalty.”

To qualify for the extension, drivers must be 75 years of age or older and have a valid license—drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked do not qualify for the one-year extension. Eligible drivers should soon receive a letter from the secretary of state as proof that they qualify.

For drivers under age 75, expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and license plate stickers have been extended until Nov. 1, 2020. Customers who choose to visit a facility must wear a face mask. In addition, customers are asked to be patient due to heavy volume and to be prepared to wait outside in various types of weather.

“Within our community, I’ve heard from veterans and other seniors, including my own sweet grandmother, concerned with waiting in line at the DMV, because they are unable to access the online services,” Crowe said. “I hope this extension can offer them all some peace of mind in this difficult time.”

Crowe continues to encourage drivers to visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com to avoid waiting in line and take advantage of online services, including replacements and renewals of registrations, driver’s licenses and ID cards.

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) released the following statement Tuesday in response to new COVID-19 mitigation measures in Region 7, which includes Will and Kankakee Counties:

“The new mitigation efforts imposed in our region will require us to take proactive steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. If we want to get back to where we were at the beginning of Phase 4, I urge residents to take the appropriate steps to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing, wearing masks and adhering to other health and safety guidelines put in place by our public health officials.

“As we work through these new mitigation measures, let’s not forget about our small business community. Local businesses still need our patronage in the weeks ahead. Order takeout. Purchase gift cards. I urge you to join this effort and do your part to overcome this pandemic.” 

GLENVIEW – To celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the passage of the 19^th Amendment and give 9^th District residents the opportunity to view the latest special exhibition at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is hosting a free virtual tour Thursday, Sept. 10 at noon.

“Even with strict health and safety measures in place, some residents may not feel comfortable visiting a museum in person right now, and the cost of admission can also be a barrier for many families,” said Fine. “I firmly believe everyone should have the chance to view this fascinating exhibition, which is why I partnered with one of my favorite local institutions—the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie—to offer this free virtual option.”

On the virtual tour, Chief Curator Arielle Weininger will discuss Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg’s life and work. The tour will include embedded audio, video and photographs of artifacts. After the presentation, Weininger will host a live Q&A.

Fine is hosting the tour in celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the passage of the 19^th Amendment, establishing women’s constitutional right to vote. Justice Ginsburg, a longtime pioneer for gender equality, cofounded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union in 1972 to fight sex discrimination in education and the workplace.

“Justice Ginsburg once said, ‘Women's rights are an essential part of the overall human rights agenda,’” said Fine. “I can think of no better way to celebrate the anniversary of women’s suffrage than to explore her contribution to the women’s movement.”

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the first-ever museum exhibition exploring Justice Ginsburg’s life through gallery interactives, listening stations, archival photographs and historical artifacts. The exhibition was set to run through Aug. 16, 2020, but has been extended through Jan. 3, 2021.

The tour is free, but registration is required. The deadline to register is Sept. 3. After the deadline has passed, all registrants will receive a link to join the tour via Zoom. For more information, visit SenatorFineIHMECTour.eventbrite.com or contact Fine’s office at 847-998-1717.

SPRINGFIELD—The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC) responded to an incident in Kenosha, Wisc. where officers shot Jacob Blake in the back seven times at point blank range. The footage of the Sunday afternoon shooting has been shared widely, and has continued protests against police brutality across the country. Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the ILBC Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood released the following statement:

“Mr. Blake exemplified community by taking the initiative to deescalate a domestic dispute, and somehow he ended up being shot by an officer multiple times. I do not know how to explain that, but I do know that this is not what public safety looks like.

CHICAGO – To increase awareness of economic development in underserved communities, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced the Village of Maywood will receive a grant through the Fast-Track Public Infrastructure Capital program. 

“I would like to thank Governor Pritzker for consistently prioritizing communities with the most need,” Lightford said. “It’s necessary to lead from a perspective that prioritizes underserved areas while also addressing the need for growth beyond the pandemic.”

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 Village of Maywood was awarded $382,375 to replace its water main. The funding for the Fast Track program comes from the Illinois statewide construction plan, known as Rebuild Illinois. Eligible applicants were required to prove projects were located in an undeserved area, had Business Enterprise Program inclusion plans, and could start within 90 days after being awarded. 

To find out other cities that have been awarded the Fast-Track grant, click here.