SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) has been appointed to the bipartisan Illinois Legislative Budget Oversight Commission, which is charged with monitoring discretionary spending by the governor’s office and local governments related to the new state budget and federal relief funding.

“The unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has and will continue to create unprecedented challenges to our state budget and the way we conduct business, which requires us to find unconventional ways of providing heightened oversight and accountability,” Manar said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure that federal and state funds issued in response to COVID-19 are used in the best interest of public health and the economic recovery of families and small businesses.”

The commission will provide a means of open communication regarding budgetary matters between the legislature and the governor’s office, and examine distribution and expenditure of federal financial relief related to the COVID-19 by state and local governments.

Beginning in August, the governor’s office will be required to issue a monthly written report to the commission detailing any discretionary spending or action that is inconsistent with the fiscal year 2021 budget approved by the General Assembly, including any actions that repurposed more than 2% of any budget line.

A representative of the governor’s office will provide a verbal report on these matters to the commission on a quarterly basis in-person, via telephone or videoconference.

At the request of the commission, units of local governments would be required to report on the status of federal funding distributed under the CARES Act.

The 22-member body is made up of Democratic and Republican legislators from both chambers of the General Assembly. Members of the commission will serve without compensation.

The Illinois Legislative Budget Commission was created by Senate Bill 2135.

SPRINGFIELD – To provide input on plans to restore the state’s economy after the COVID-19 crisis, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) has been appointed co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission, the group charged with navigating the public health and economic concerns of the state’s reopening plan.

“Decisions about our state’s recovery can’t be made in a vacuum,” said Murphy. “It’s important the legislature is able to give feedback, present ideas and voice concerns as we move forward with the reopening process.”

The Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission will enable cooperation between the legislative and executive branches in dealing with the public health and economic crises caused by COVID-19. The commission will work closely with the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on plans to revive the various sectors of the Illinois economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The commission is made up of 14 members drawn from both political parties and both chambers of the General Assembly. Members of the commission will serve without compensation.

DCEO will provide a written report to the commission and the General Assembly every month regarding the status of current and proposed recovery efforts, with metrics and other information to demonstrate the state’s progress. The first report will be delivered July 1.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure our state is on the right track toward a successful recovery,” said Murphy.

The Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission was created by Senate Bill 2135.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) has been appointed to the Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission, which is charged with overseeing the effort to reopen and rebuild Illinois’ economy as the state recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Reopening our state safely and efficiently is my biggest concern,” Belt said. “I am honored to be part of this commission and work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure we follow the best plan to fully recover from the pandemic and renew economic stability.”

The Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission will enable cooperation between the legislative and executive branches in dealing with the public health and economic crises caused by COVID-19. The commission will work closely with the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on plans to revive the various sectors of the Illinois economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The commission is made up of 14 members drawn from both political parties and both chambers of the General Assembly. Members of the commission will serve without compensation.

DCEO will provide a written report to the commission and the General Assembly every month regarding the status of current and proposed recovery efforts, with metrics and other information to demonstrate the state’s progress. The first report will be delivered July 1.

The Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission was created by Senate Bill 2135.

SPRINGFIELD – To provide a voice for Downstate Illinois in the recovery process, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) has been appointed to the Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission, a group tasked with addressing public health and economic challenges as the state continues the reopening process.

“A safe reopening of Illinois will require input from a broad group of individuals,” Koehler said. “I’m honored to have been chosen to help lead as we continue toward the recovery of our state’s economy. I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues in the Senate and House to ensure a smooth recovery process.”

The Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission will enable cooperation between the legislative and executive branches in dealing with the public health and economic crises caused by COVID-19. The commission will work closely with the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on plans to revive the various sectors of the Illinois economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The commission is made up of 14 members drawn from both political parties and both chambers of the General Assembly. Members of the commission will serve without compensation.

DCEO will provide a written report to the commission and the General Assembly every month regarding the status of current and proposed recovery efforts, with metrics and other information to monitor the state’s progress. The first report will be delivered July 1.

The Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission was created by Senate Bill 2135.

CHICAGO – With college students preparing to return to campus, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) announced that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is offering free consultation to students applying for financial aid.

“The financial aid process can be frustrating, especially for those who are first generation college students,” Villanueva said. “ISAC can help apply for financial aid, answer questions and help maximize the benefits you receive.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Illinois families face financial uncertainty. Students and parents can seek an adjustment to their financial aid offers based on their new financial situation. ISAC is available to assist families in this process both online and through their ISAC College Q&A program – a free text service where students can find answers to financial aid questions on their phones. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.

ISAC can also help students and their families with both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. The alternative application is reserved for undocumented and certain transgender students who are ineligible for FAFSA.

WESTERN SPRINGS – With schools set to reopen this fall, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) shared the health and safety guidelines that will guide educators as they resume in-person learning.

“Schools are reopening only because we have followed health guidelines so far,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Students and teachers should follow these new guidelines so we can continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and have a safe reopening.”

The Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health have issued guidelines for K-12 schools and higher education institutions to safely resume in-person learning this fall, while ensuring the health and safety of students and staff is prioritized. The groups worked with educators, superintendents, social workers, nurses and other stakeholders to create the 60-page guidance.

The guidelines for Phase 4 will, among other things:

• Require use of appropriate personal protective equipment, including face coverings;
• Prohibit more than 50 individuals from gathering in one space;
• Require social distancing be observed, as much as possible;
• Require schools conduct symptom screenings and temperature checks or require that individuals self-certify that they are free of symptoms before entering school buildings; and
• Require an increase in school-wide cleaning and disinfection.

All schools in Illinois serving K-12 students must follow these guidelines.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) announced four appointees to the Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission, a group created to help guide Illinois through the reopening process following stay-at-home orders to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Senators Christopher Belt (D-Centreville), Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) and Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) will represent Senate Democrats on the commission. 

“These senators bring a regional diversity and passion for serving their constituents to this commission,” Harmon said. “I know they will do an excellent job advocating for the people of Illinois so that we can safely move forward toward a new normal and a thriving economy.”

DEERFIELD — Thanks to efforts from State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), people interested in voting from home this November are now able to apply for a ballot online.

“Making it easier for people to vote from the comfort of their homes allows them to exercise their rights while keeping them safe from COVID-19,” Morrison said. “Many people look forward to voting, and they can now apply for vote-by-mail ballots as soon as they’d like.”

As a part of Morrison’s vote-by-mail expansion measure — found in Senate Bill 1863, which was signed by the governor last week — people who are registered to vote and want to request a vote-by-mail ballot may now do so by visiting their individual election authority’s website.

For Lake County, people should visit lakecountyil.gov/4321/Voting-by-Mail.

For Cook County, people should visit mailvoting.cookcountyclerkil.gov/.

Those who are not yet registered to vote may do so by visiting the Illinois State Board of Elections website here, and they will be able to request a vote-by-mail ballot while applying.

While people are now able to apply for a ballot on their own, any person who has voted in the past two years —in the 2018 General Election, 2019 Consolidated Election or 2020 Primary Election — will automatically receive an application for a vote-by-mail ballot in their mailbox for the 2020 General Election under Morrison’s measure.

People who registered to vote after the 2020 Primary Election will also receive an application.

Election authorities are expected to mail out applications no later than Aug. 1, so people can expect their applications in early August. They can also expect to receive periodic reminders from the secretary of state’s office to submit their application.

“I encourage people to take advantage of the state’s comprehensive vote-by-mail program,” Morrison said. “This is a great way to be able to take time to fill out your ballot while keeping yourself and others safe and healthy.”