CHAMPAIGN – A virtual town hall to share information about Phase 4 of the governor’s Restore Illinois plan, hosted by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and a panel of experts, will take place Thursday, June 25.

Bennett and the panel of experts want to hear people’s concerns related to the reopening plan. The panelists will provide information and answer constituent questions on Bennett’s Facebook page at 6 p.m.

“A lot has been learned since the pandemic first started” Bennett said. “All four regions of the state are currently on track to move into Phase 4 on June 26. This town hall is a great opportunity to learn what’s new in this stage of our state’s recovery and get your questions answered.”

Community members can submit their questions during the live broadcast in the comments of the livestream or prior to the event at www.senatorbennett.com/VTH.

Panelists include, Public Health Administrator Julie Pryde of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, Dr. Janet Jokola of University of Illinois College of Medicine Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Robert Healy of Carle Adult Medicine and University of Illinois Clinical Associate Professor, and Mike DeLorenzo, the  University of Illinois’ Senior Associate Chancellor for Administration and Operations. 

For questions or additional information, Bennett urges residents to contact his office at 217-355-5252 or visit SenatorBennett.com.

CHAMPAIGN – To celebrate Illinoisans that demonstrate exemplary service to conservation in Illinois, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is encouraging area residents to submit a nomination for the Illinois Conservation Foundation’s (ICF) 2020 Outdoor Hall of Fame.

Since 2002, the ICF has recognized people who have records of commendable service and commitments to improving conservation efforts and outdoor recreation opportunities in Illinois.

“Outdoor enthusiasts play a key role in protecting our public lands and the outdoor experiences they provide,” Bennett said. “I encourage residents to nominate a person who has devoted their time, energy and passion for the outdoors in a way that preserves and enhances these spaces for generations to come.” 

Past inductees have led efforts to preserve and enhance fish and wildlife habitat, to protect and restore Illinois’ lakes and rivers, participated on the national and international stages in conservation advocacy, and provided resources for thousands of youth and adults to enjoy fishing, hunting, conservation and safety education.

Nominations must be submitted by July 8, 2020 on the official Hall of Fame Nomination form, which is available at a link on the ICF website: https://ilconservation.org/Who-We-Are/Outdoor-Hall-ofFame. 

For more information, contact the Illinois Conservation Foundation at 217-785-2003 or visit www.ilconservation.org.

MATTESON – Following the announcement of the development of two new Amazon fulfillment facilities in Markham and Matteson, bringing thousands of jobs to the South Suburbs, State Senator Michael E. Hastings released the following statement:

“While good news has been difficult to come by lately, today is a great day. I want to offer my thanks to the Amazon team for choosing to invest in the South Suburbs, specifically the 19^th District. Additionally, I want to extend my congratulations to Village President Sheila Chalmers-Currin of Matteson and Mayor Roger Agpawa of Markham. They are committed to making a difference in their communities, and their efforts on this project are the latest testament to that.

“These projects are some of the most important regional projects we have had in decades. Residents have contacted my office with concerns about increased traffic, road construction, and construction noise, but I want to reassure them that state and local governments are working to ensure that their concerns are addressed. From beautification efforts, new traffic signals, and the addition of thousands of jobs, we want to make sure these projects work for you.

“While this year will see the construction of over three million square feet of regional distribution facilities, our work is far from over. Whether it is repurposing the former Lincoln Way North High School as a state-of-the-art State Police forensics laboratory, redeveloping the Lincoln Mall site into one of the finest retail facilities in the entire state, or finally completing the long awaited South Suburban airport, our communities are prime for development. I look forward to more exciting announcements to come.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are applauding PNC Financial Services’ decision to reverse plans to shutter its branch on Springfield’s East Side.

“I appreciate that PNC’s leadership team listened to our concerns and will continue serving the East Side. The damaging effects that branch closures have on families and businesses is well-documented and both a contributor to and a reflection of widening racial wealth inequality,” Manar said. “We can’t begin to address the immense economic disparities facing our state and country when banks are leaving underserved communities and predatory lenders are setting up shop.”

PNC Financial Services’ Pittsburgh-based government affairs office notified Manar by email last week that the branch at 802 S. 11th St. would close in September.

Manar immediately contacted PNC’s government affairs director to urge the bank’s leadership to rethink the decision, given the economic impact on customers and the community.

Manar then contacted Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, who also made calls to demand the branch remain open.

“Access to capital is critical for small business, and that’s especially true for Black-owned businesses that may have fewer options in their communities due to the closure of major bank branches,” Durbin said.  “Without lending partners, entrepreneurship is starved of oxygen and turns towards predatory lenders that charge exorbitant fees and trap people in an endless cycle of debt from which it is nearly impossible to emerge. I’m glad to hear that the bank will continue to serve the community and I thank Senator Manar for his leadership on this issue.”

The 11th Street branch is one of few remaining banks serving Springfield’s East Side. Numerous other financial institutions have shuttered their facilities, reflecting a national trend of banks abandoning majority-Black neighborhoods.

“I’m proud that we, along with Senator Durbin, called for the continuation of this essential service,” Duckworth said. “I’m pleased that PNC has decided to keep their location on Springfield’s East Side open and will continue serving constituents there.”

A 2019 study published in the American Economic Journal found that even when there are other banks located within a few miles, branch closures in low-income and minority neighborhoods result in drastic declines in credit supply and opportunity for nearby small businesses.

“Springfield's East Side PNC branch is a trusted and valuable economic cornerstone for the community and has assisted in the building of new residential and business properties, leading to a more vibrant community,” said Springfield Ward 3 Alderwoman Doris Turner. “It provides banking near residents, and its closure would have certainly led to a financial desert and an extremely negative impact upon this community.”

An analysis by S&P Global Market Intelligence found that majority-Black communities with positive economic trends lost more of their branches than non-Black communities with negative trends.

BROADVIEW—Communities in the West Suburbs came together on Juneteenth to celebrate both the end of slavery and to continue the fight for justice, equality and police accountability.

SPRINGFIELD – To celebrate 155 years of emancipation and encourage accurate representation of all Illinois communities, State Senator Elgie R. Sims (D-Chicago) urges African Americans to respond to the 2020 Census on Black Census Day.

“It’s no accident that Black Census Day falls on Juneteenth this year. Both are opportunities for us to stand united and amplify black voices,” Sims said. “It is so important to make sure that black communities are counted to help close funding gaps and provide desperately needed resources to African Americans throughout Illinois.”

CHICAGO – A comprehensive relief package aimed to support working families, small businesses, and communities heavily impacted by COVID-19 and civil unrest will be available starting this August, announced State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago).

Aquino was key in the negotiations on behalf of the Latino Caucus to assemble a $900 million funding package along with the Black Caucus, the Asian Caucus, and the Pritzker administration.

ROCKFORD – Yesterday, Governor Pritzker signed into law a measure that will provide assistance to teachers and schools in light of the challenges they continue to face during the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) supported that measure and has called for additional federal aid to help Rockford Public Schools weather the pandemic and implement e-learning.

“The federal funds for Rockford schools, in addition to this law, will help Rockford area schools make the changes they need to guide our children through this crisis,” Stadelman said. “Both the funding and the law support e-learning at home – an important safety precaution that may still be necessary in the fall.”

The education package extends teacher license renewals for one year, so teachers don’t have to go through the renewal process while working remotely. It also allows for mandatory tests to be taken remotely, so students don’t have to risk getting sick in order to take an exam they need to apply for college.

The total amount of funding Illinois schools are set to receive is close to $570 million, with Rockford expected to receive about $11.7 million, second only to Chicago Public Schools.

“I encourage school districts to find new ways to use this additional funding along with the guidance signed today, to strengthen the newly created infrastructures of e-learning and remote learning,” Stadelman said.

The federal government’s coronavirus stimulus will send $13.5 billion to schools across the country for meal programs, technology purchases, remote learning infrastructure, distance mental health programs and counseling for students, sanitization and deep cleaning, and summer programs to help address learning gaps.

The education package, Senate Bill 1569, was signed into law June 18. The measure takes effect immediately.