KANKAKEE – To create jobs and promote economic recovery during the pandemic, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is eager to announce Will and Kankakee Counties have been selected to receive a combined $1.14 million in grants for job training and placement programs. 

“Increasing job opportunities across Will and Kankakee Counties is especially vital right now, during a time when so many people are out of work due to the pandemic,” Joyce said. “These grants will ensure people have the tools they need to get our communities back on track and help restart our economy.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Security (DCEO) has received two $8.3 million grants as part of the National Dislocated Worker Program, totaling a $16.6 million investment to place, train and hire Illinois workers to fill high-demand positions and assist local disaster relief programs.

Of that funding, the County of Kankakee Northeast has been awarded $296,570, and Will County Northeast has been awarded $825,000.

The state has distributed funding to 12 Local Workforce Innovation Areas to expand education and training opportunities throughout Illinois. DCEO will partner with local workforce agency partners to assist with filling high-need, temporary roles to help mitigate COVID-19 in communities, including contact tracers, COVID-19 protocol workers, building sanitization workers, temperature screeners, and food preparation and distribution workers.

Training and hiring for new workforce programs are expected to begin this fall. Local workforce agencies will prioritize applicants who have been laid off or otherwise lost their jobs during the COVID-19 crisis at the time of their application. A full list of available training and hiring opportunities is available on Get Hired Illinois.

MARYVILLE – State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is encouraging residents to take advantage of two new mobile testing sites in Madison County this weekend.

“In order to defeat COVID-19, we need to make testing available to everyone who needs it,” Crowe said. “I’m pleased to see two mobile testing sites open in Madison County that will help protect our neighbors and loved ones while we fight to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

A testing site will open Saturday, Sept. 12 at Monroe Memorial Church, located at 1901 Belle St. in Alton, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, testing will be available Sunday, Sept. 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, located at 74 Circle Drive in Edwardsville.

All residents of Madison County, with or without symptoms, can be tested for free. Face masks will be required, but no appointment is needed to be tested. Tests will be administered via nasal swab, and patients will receive a call with their results within a few days.

These testing sites are sponsored by the Madison County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health and are available this weekend only. For more information and to stay up to date on COVID-19, visit the Madison County Health Department’s website.

DES PLAINES – Two new grants from the U.S. Department of Labor will create nearly 1,300 jobs across Illinois to support the state’s ongoing pandemic response, and State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is pleased to see DuPage County will receive over $1.2 million to administer job training and placement programs.

“The pandemic has put thousands of Illinoisans out of work, but it’s also created a need for certain kinds of workers, like contact tracers, community health coordinators, food pantry workers and more,” said Murphy. “To meet the challenges this pandemic has presented us, we need to make sure our workforce has the skills to support our state’s recovery.”

DuPage County Northeast has been awarded over $1.2 million by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Security (DCEO) to place, train and hire Illinois workers to fill high-demand positions and assist local disaster relief programs.

DCEO received a total of $16.6 million as part of the National Dislocated Worker Program. The funding was distributed among 12 Local Workforce Innovation Areas to expand education and training opportunities throughout Illinois.

DCEO will partner with local workforce agency partners to fill high-need, temporary roles to help mitigate COVID-19 in communities, including contact tracers, COVID-19 protocol workers, building sanitization workers, temperature screeners, and food preparation and distribution workers.

Training and hiring for new workforce programs are expected to begin this fall. Local workforce agencies will prioritize applicants who have been laid off or otherwise lost their jobs during the COVID-19 crisis at the time of their application. A full list of available training and hiring opportunities is available on Get Hired Illinois.

DEERFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) issued the following statement in response to Attorney General Kwame Y. Raoul’s decision to join 18 attorneys general in supporting California’s ban on large-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

“There is absolutely no reason an everyday person needs to have possession of large-capacity magazines. The heartbreaking devastation caused by gun violence across the country cannot be overstated and must be put to an end. California’s ban is a great first step toward protecting public safety, and the rest of the country needs to follow suit.

“I thank Attorney General Raoul for his compassion and dedication toward defending this common sense measure to keep communities safe.”

PLAINFIELD – State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) is encouraging people who lost work during the ongoing public health crisis to take advantage of jobs brought to the 49^th District by an $825,000 economic recovery grant.

“The COVID-19 pandemic put people throughout the state and Will County out of work, and many of those people have been struggling to find new jobs for months,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Dozens of jobs have now opened up in Will County that will benefit not only the people who are hired, but the county as a whole. I encourage anyone who is seeking a steady job to apply immediately.”

Will County Northeast was awarded $825,000 in economic recovery grants to train and hire workers to fill high-demand positions and assist local disaster relief programs. The money – totaling $16.6 million for the state – comes to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Security (DCEO) from the National Dislocated Worker Program.

The state distributed the funds to 12 Local Workforce Innovation Areas to expand education and training opportunities throughout Illinois. DCEO will partner with local workforce agency partners to assist with filling high-need, temporary roles to help mitigate COVID-19 in communities, including contact tracers, COVID-19 protocol workers, building sanitization workers, temperature screeners, and food preparation and distribution workers.

Training and hiring for new workforce programs are expected to begin this fall. Local workforce agencies will prioritize applicants who have been laid off or otherwise lost their jobs during the COVID-19 crisis at the time of their application. A full list of available training and hiring opportunities is available on Get Hired Illinois.

EAST ST. LOUIS – As the deadline to complete the 2020 census quickly approaches, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is hosting a school supplies giveaway and census drive on Saturday, Sept 12, to help more families get counted.   

"Residents in the community need to understand the amount of resources and federal funding that are put at risk if they are not counted," Belt said. "This is the last month to fill out the 2020 Census and it’s important every person is counted. I hope families come out to receive school supplies for the upcoming semester and also get counted to ensure we have all the funding we need for the next 10 years."

Belt is hosting a free mask and school giveaway with Representative Latoya Greenwood. Parents will be able to pick up school supplies for their children, receive help filling out their census forms and registering to vote. The event will be held at East St. Louis Senior High School Parking Lot, located at 4901 State Street from 10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. 

The deadline to complete the 2020 census is Sept.30, and many Metro East communities response rates are critically low. The response rate in East St. Louis is 45%, Venice 43.9%, Washington Park 32.5% and Brooklyn only 39.8%. Census data determines federal funding for many community resources. 

To increase those  response rates, Belt is also hosting a Census Drive at Saint Mark School, located at 502 Broadway in Venice, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Families who are unable to attend either event can still get counted by filling out the form at https://my2020census.gov.

ELGIN – With the Sept. 30 conclusion of the 2020 Census looming, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is urging local residents to complete their household surveys in order to produce the most accurate count possible.

“The response rate data we have is a good sign, but there is always room for improvement,” Castro said. “With the 2020 Census cut short by a full month, the next few weeks will be crucial to ensuring that our communities get the full amount of funding and representation to which they are entitled, which the census determines.”

According to the official census website, as of Sept. 10 the response rates for cities in the area are:

• Barrington Hills – 70.9%
• Bartlett – 85.5%
• Carpentersville – 75.6%
• East Dundee – 81.4%
• Elgin – 72.8%
• Hanover Park – 76.9%
• Hoffman Estates – 81.0%
• Schaumburg – 79.3%
• South Elgin – 80.3%
• Streamwood – 82.1%

“These numbers are encouraging, but we should continue to keep working until they’re all at 100,” Castro said.

The census can be completed online, by phone or by mail.

GRAYSLAKE – This year alone, 55 Lake County residents have lost their lives to suicide. Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is showing her support for those struggling and reminding everyone that help is available.

“Even one life lost to suicide is too many,” Bush said. “There are many great resources available to Lake County residents that can help them when they feel down. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. Every life matters.”

The Lake County Health Department offers a free Crisis Care Program. The confidential hotline, available at 1-847-377-8088, can help anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or substance abuse. Counselors are also available in person at 3002 Grand Lake Ave. in Waukegan. Anyone who needs help can call or walk in, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Help is extended to every resident of Lake County – no matter their age. Kids who are struggling are encouraged to download the “Lake County Help” app to their smartphone, which they can use to text anonymously with a licensed clinician.

Additionally, any Lake County resident who needs assistance finding mental health or substance abuse treatment, as well as food, shelter, rent or utility assistance can call 211 or text their zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help.

“The best way we can help others through their hardships is to support them and let them know we are here for them,” Bush said. “I encourage everyone to learn the signs of suicide and reach out to your friends and family who might need a little extra love.”

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also offers a number of resources to help people in crisis or those worried about a friend or family member. The lifeline offers 24/7 confidential support at 1-800-273-8255. Bush also encourages everyone to learn the risk factors and warning signs of suicide so they can help their loved ones. For more information, click here.