Jones announces $7.1 million worth of newly approved grants from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

CHICAGO – In an effort to help communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago) announced organizations that provide support services and resources should apply for a percentage of the $7.1 million worth of newly approved grants from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

“No community has suffered more impact from COVID-19 than underprivileged communities,” Jones said. “I urge local community organizations to apply for the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program to help disproportionate communities recover.”

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program provides funding to community-based agencies in areas disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Funds must be used for rent or utilities assistance, supportive services, or distribution of food to local residents. 

For more information and to apply for funding, click here. Application are due by Friday, July 24.

EAST ST. LOUIS - To support communities hardest hit by COVID-19, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) encourages organizations providing support services and resources to apply for a percentage of the $7.1 million worth of newly approved grants from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

“Disproportionate neighborhoods have suffered the most from the COIVD-19 health crisis, Belt said. “In these communities, paying for basic necessities have become unmanageable and providing those communities with support to recover from the devastating losses is something the program will do.”

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program provides funding to community-based agencies in areas disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Funds must be used for rent or utilities assistance, supportive services, or distribution of food to local residents. 

For more information and apply for funding here. Application are due by Friday, July 24.

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is calling for the Chicago Police Department to apologize for the murders of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark in 1969.

“The murders of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were violent and brutal acts by the Chicago Police Department. Though it happened more than 50 years ago, Black Americans are still waiting for justice and accountability,” Van Pelt said. “How are Black and Brown Americans ever expected to trust the police when they got away with murder, and continue to do so?”

More than $108 million allocated for COVID education funding

PLAINFIELD — State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) is pleased to learn more than $100 million will go toward bridging the digital divide in schools across the state and protecting the safety of both students and teachers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Every student in the state deserves a quality education and should not be hindered by access to technology,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Technology is a critical tool in learning, and we must invest in it to give students the resources they need to succeed.”

More than $108 million in federal Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funds have been allocated to preK-12 public education and higher education institutions to meet the unique challenges of COVID-19.

A total of $10 million of the funds will support early childhood education programs, while K-12 schools will receive $50 million to close the digital divide, train educators and parents and supply social-emotional supports for students.

In total, school districts will receive $32.5 million to purchase laptops and tablets and $7.5 million to purchase WiFi hotspots and increase internet connectivity for students and their families.

Higher education institutions will receive $49 million, most of which will go directly to public universities and community colleges to help students overcome barriers created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The funds will allow students across the state to have access to essential tools they need to be successful in school,” Bertino-Tarrant, who serves as chair of the Senate’s education committee, said. “We need to support students by closing the digital literacy gap and ensuring equitable technology access for all.”

ELGIN – The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority announced new funding to provide grants for organizations providing support and relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is encouraging organizations to submit applications.

“Communities of color have suffered the worst from the coronavirus, not just in terms of number of cases, but also when it comes to the amount of resources available to help them recover,” Castro said. “There are many great organizations out there doing amazing work, and I would encourage them to apply for an ICJIA grant so they can keep it up.”

The ICJIA grants are part of federal funding for supporting communities that have faced the hardest challenges from the coronavirus, allocated by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program. Uses for the grants include housing assistance; support services like mental health services and legal aid; rent, utilities or other expenses by local community organizations; and the distribution of food. The funds can also be used for any other need that is related to the pandemic.

“These organizations are vital to community recovery, and I’m glad there is a way for them to get some extra help if they need it,” Castro said.

Additional information and a link to the application – which is due by July 24 – can be found here.

INDIAN CREEK – State Senator Terry Link (D-Indian Creek) is encouraging local business owners to apply for forgivable loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.

“This pandemic has put an unprecedented financial strain on small business owners,” Link said. “The Paycheck Protection Program provides them with another tool they can use to help them stay afloat during these uncertain times. I highly encourage any business owners who are struggling to apply.”

The U.S. Treasury Department and the Small Business Administration have extended the application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program to allow more businesses to seek financial relief. Businesses can receive up to $10 million in forgivable loans through the program.

The loans provided through the program have an interest rate of 1% and can be fully forgiven if they are used for payroll, rent, utilities or interest on mortgages.

The deadline to apply in Aug. 8, 2020.

According to the Small Business Administration, more than 27,000 Illinois businesses have taken advantage of the program, saving an estimated 1.36 million jobs.

To find participating lenders, business owners and managers can visit the Small Business Administration’s website.

CHICAGO – As communities continue to recover from the ongoing novel coronavirus crisis, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is encouraging organizations specializing in relief efforts like housing assistance and mental health support to apply for a grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

“In many ways, COVID-19 has hit Black and Brown communities much harder than other communities,” Peters said. “The ICJIA grants will help organizations that are providing support in these communities and make it easier for them to do the job they’ve set out to do.”

The grants were allocated by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program and will be used to support communities that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19. The funds can be used for:

• Housing assistance for those who have experienced violence or who are involved in the criminal justice system;
• Support services for members of the community, including legal services and mental and emotional health support;
• Rent, utilities and supplies for community-based organizations;
• Food distribution; and
• Any other pandemic related need as determined by the community.

“We’re in the fight together, and any organization that feels like they could use some help should apply for a grant,” Peters said.

Additional information and a link to the application can be found here. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on July 24.

DEERFIELD – After months of delays, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is pleased to learn youth in the Department of Children and Family Service’s care will finally transition to a new Medicaid managed care program in September.

More than 16,000 foster children will transition to the new Medicaid managed care program this September, after nearly a year of delays. People who were formerly in care of the state’s foster program were transitioned to the new health care program in February, but the transition for current foster children was put on pause in an effort for them to receive a smooth transition to the robust care.