SPRINGFIELD — After a Senate hearing Thursday about transparency and equity at the Illinois Department of Transportation, IDOT and other members of the Mid-America Association of State Transportation Agencies voted to establish a diversity committee. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) praised the decision in the following statement:

“For years, we’ve heard serious complaints about acts of discrimination at IDOT. Thursday, we gave Secretary Omer Osman the opportunity to respond to these allegations, and I’m happy to see that he’s taken them seriously.

“The establishment of this diversity committee is a start, but it will not be enough to fix the issues on its own. I’m looking forward to seeing policies that result in us hearing less and less discrimination complaints.

“I hope to see the organization implement more opportunities for people of color statewide, both in employment and mobility.”

SPRINGFIELD – With the deadline to complete the 2020 Census looming, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) joined with the Illinois Primary Health Care Association, Macoupin County Public Health Department, and local elected officials at a press conference this morning to encourage residents of Macoupin County to complete the 2020 census.

“Completing the census is a simple step people can take to help their neighbors,” Manar said. “An accurate census count gives our communities a chance to properly maintain the quality of our roads, schools, hospitals, and other programs people rely on. Every last dollar is going to count as we continue to navigate our way through the COVID-19 crisis.”

Nine municipalities in Macoupin County have a response rate of 60% or higher:

• Brighton: 76.7%
• Staunton: 75.2%
• Carlinville: 75.1%
• Bunker Hill: 73.5%
• Olive: 72.2%
• Gillespie: 70%
• Virden: 69.4 %
• Benld: 66.5%
• Girard: 60.7%

“Census information is used to allocate hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding to communities all across the country,” Paula Campbell, Associate Director of Health Equity for the Illinois Primary Health Care Association said. “The results will show where communities need new schools, new health clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children.”

The Macoupin County Public Health Department has staff dedicated to helping people through the census completion process who can be reached by phone at (217) 854-3223.

“I appreciate the people who’ve already taken a few minutes to get counted, but we have so much more work to do before the Sept. 30 deadline,” Manar said.

Residents can also complete the census for their household at www.my2020census.gov.

DANVILLE – As a show of support for isolated older adults in Vermilion County, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) delivered one hundred cards to the residents of Bowman Estates of Danville on Friday.

“I want to thank the community who helped make these thoughtful cards for our older neighbors,” Bennett said. “These cards brought joy to folks stuck inside because of COVID-19 and let them know we’re thinking about them.”

Through Bennett’s “Cards for Seniors” collection this past month, community members had the opportunity to write an encouraging message or card to an older neighbor who may be separated from their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bennett’s office collected cards from the Vermilion County Board, Project Success students, Salt Fork High School students, and the Georgetown Ladies Community Club.

“This project really showed how the community can come together, especially during this period of social distancing and staying home,” Bennett said. “It was heartwarming to share these with the residents at Bowman Estates and remind them we’re all in this together.”  

Caption information for attached photo: State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) delivers cards to Angela Rodgers, Administrator of Bowman Estates in Danville on August 28, 2020.

CHICAGO – As COVID-19 continues to spread, State Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago) encourages people to get tested if they have symptoms or come in contact with someone who is positive.

“To stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our communities, people who have symptoms need to get tested,” Jones said. “The process of being tested for the virus is simple, and there are sites across the state. I encourage people to get tested to prevent them from potentially passing on the virus to others.” 

If a person believes they have been exposed to the virus, they should get tested 5-7 days after exposure – even if they don’t feel ill. Studies have shown that people who are asymptomatic for the virus can still spread it to others, who may become visibly sick and require medical attention. 

Individuals with symptoms that may be COVID-19 should also get tested, even if they don’t believe they need medical care.

Since March, Illinois has tested more than 3.8 million COVID-19 specimens and has continued to expand testing throughout the state.

There are nearly 300 testing sites across the state, including 11 state-operated community-based testing sites and 12 mobile testing teams that conduct tests at facilities experiencing outbreaks – including nursing homes and correctional centers -- and areas around the state reporting increased cases. All state-operated testing facilities are free. 

More information about locations, times, and requirements can be found at www.dph.illinois.gov/testing.

CHAMPAIGN – With less than a month before the U.S. Census Bureau wraps up its counting efforts, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is urging Champaign County residents to fill out the census if they have not done so, or risk costing their communities vital federal funding over the next 10 years.

“The goal is to get an accurate count of how many people live in a community so we don’t miss out on funding for critical public services,” Bennett said. “Whether it’s on paper, online or on the phone, please fill out the 2020 Census as soon as possible to ensure Champaign County gets its fair share.”

Across Champaign County, participation in the 2020 Census is lower than in the 2010 Census. Only 63% of Champaign residents have completed their census forms this year, as opposed to 70.7% of residents in 2010. In Urbana, just 65.2% of residents have been counted—a decade ago, 67.9% of residents responded. Rantoul is also below target level, with only 62.4% of residents having completed their census forms, versus 68.7% of residents in 2010.

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.

“Health care, schools, and roads and bridges are all impacted by the 2020 Census,” Bennett said. “I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to participate.”

To see response rates across Illinois and the nation, visit www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us. 

CHICAGO — State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is joining advocate groups and Alderman Jeanette Taylor in calls to make the childhood home of Emmett Till a landmark on the 65^th anniversary of his death. 

“Emmett’s unjust death parallels many today – George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and too many others to count,” Hunter said. “Emmett received no justice for being murdered senselessly, just as others we’ve seen this year that are still waiting for justice. This is why we proclaim, ‘Black Lives Matter’ – because the justice system hasn’t shown us that they do.”

Till was a 14-year-old boy from Chicago, visiting family in Mississippi when he was brutally beaten and killed for allegedly flirting with a white woman on Aug. 28, 1955.

When his body was found days later, it was so disfigured he could only be identified by an initialed ring. His mother’s decision to hold an open casket funeral changed the pace of the Civil Rights Movement, exposing the country to the horrors of racism.

Still, no justice was served for Till. The all-white jury debated for less than an hour before deciding Till’s killers were not guilty. Years later, it was revealed that the woman lied about Till coming on to her.

“We are tired, and we have been for generations. When will it end?” Hunter asked. “The first step to eradicating racism is to be educated about it. If we make Emmett Till’s home a landmark, and share this grave history, we can raise awareness in the hopes that the generation to come will have no more Emmett Tills.”

Last year, the Woodlawn residence where Till grew up was bought by BMW properties, which buys distressed property and sells them as turn-key investments to investors seeking passive rental income. If the home was made an official landmark of the city, it would be prevented from possible demolition or renovation that would dampen its architectural history.

CHICAGO – Earlier this week, the US Department of Energy announced $115 million grants for quantum research centers at two facilitates affiliated with the University of Chicago. State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), who represents the area including the university, is excited and hopeful about the future prospects the grants bring to the district as well as the state as a whole.

“These grants are going to put the University of Chicago and the state of Illinois at the forefront of quantum sciences and research,” Peters said. “Much like how the region of California known as ‘Silicon Valley’ became the hub of technological advances, these grants will make Illinois the place to be when it comes to the emerging field of quantum sciences.”

VILLA PARK — To prevent unnecessary danger to seniors in Illinois, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is alerting drivers age 75 and older that their driver’s license expiration dates have been extended by one year.

“The one-year extension for our seniors will help delay a visit to the DMV during this awful pandemic,” Cullerton said. “This move will help at-risk DuPage County residents keep their driving privileges and proof of identity without putting their health and safety at risk.”  

In addition to being 75 years of age or older, the driver must have a valid driver's license. Those seniors 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.

“There is not an immediate need for this vulnerable population to put themselves at risk,” Cullerton said. “I urge our older populations to take advantage of this extension and stay safe."

Cullerton 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.