SPRINGFIELD – Giving more opportunity for business owners to operate safely while also opening places for residents to be active outside, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is pleased with the expansion of openings under phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan.

“While I wish the Southern Region of Illinois could’ve moved to phase 3 of the state’s reopen plan sooner, I am happy residents have been granted a few aspects we’ve asked of the governor’s administration,” Crowe said. “Following the advice of health experts is key to reopening safely, and it’s encouraging to know Illinois is on the right track.”

The governor announced the following updates to phase 3, while retaining the local government’s right to establish other restrictions:

DEERFIELD — As members of the General Assembly have arrived back to Springfield, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is urging her colleagues to take up her bill, a package that would expand the state’s vote-by-mail program for the November election among other changes related to elections.

“People should not have to worry about their health and safety when exercising their right to vote,” Morrison said. “If people don’t feel safe going to restaurants, they won’t feel safe standing in line to cast their vote.”

Illinoisans would have more options to forego traditional polling places and cast their ballots from the safety of their homes during the November 2020 election under a measure sponsored by Morrison. She would like to see everyone who has voted in the last two years receive a ballot, which would then be returned to the county elections office and counted on Election Day.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is pleased with Gov. JB Pritzker’s decision to withdraw his emergency rule Wednesday, which would have penalized businesses for reopening early.

The rule, which the governor introduced Friday, would allow fines up to $2,500 for businesses caught violating the executive order. Bennett raised his concerns with the emergency rule in a formal letter to the chairs of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) Tuesday.

“Business owners are eager to get back to work under our economic circumstances,” Bennett said. “If the rule had been ennacted, the consequences would have been severe. Even proposing this rule created unnecessary fear for business owners just trying to get by.”

Bennett also emphasized in his letter the need to consult with local officials and the General Assembly before filing these rules. 

JCAR announced in its Wednesday meeting that it would not take action since the emergency rule is already being repealed by the governor.

“With the General Assembly back in session this week, it’s appropriate to continue dealing with this issue through the regular legislative process where my colleagues and I can provide input,” Bennett said.

SPRINGFIELD – After echoing constituent’s concerns about the Illinois Department of Public Health’s rule to charge small business owners who defy the governor’s executive order with a misdemeanor, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is applauding the decision to rescind its enforcement.

“State leaders should be helping struggling business owners in every way imaginable, not proposing stricter consequences on them,” Crowe said. “Expecting state’s attorneys, law enforcement and local governments to enforce rules they weren’t invited to discuss is disrespectful to their responsibilities as community leaders.”

Feeling frustrated by the disregard for business owners and lack of opportunity for local governments to give input, Crowe sent a formal letter to the co-chairs of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules asking them to object and suspend the rule. Subsequently, the governor's administration withdrew the rule. 

The rule imposed enforcement from state’s attorneys to charge business owners who defy the governor’s executive order with a Class A misdemeanor with a fine ranging from $75 to $2,500.

DEERFIELD — As State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) and her colleagues returned to Springfield Wednesday, she has vowed to fight for human services funding in the Fiscal Year ’21 budget, especially for the Department of Children and Family Services.

“Many agencies that are tasked with helping and protecting our state’s most vulnerable populations already struggle with too few resources,” Morrison said. “Illinois should be a leader in showing all people are valuable and deserve to be treated with human dignity.”

Morrison is chair of the Illinois Senate Human Services Committee, where she fights for the beneficiaries of a number of human services agencies, most notably DCFS.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is calling on Gov. JB Pritzker to take additional steps to mend the state’s failed system for unemployment compensation, which has prevented Illinoisans from receiving any help after losing their jobs in March.

For eight weeks, Illinoisans trying to file for unemployment benefits have jammed the phone lines of the state’s employment services department. Many have been on hold for hours, while others have not been able to make it that far. As weeks turn into months, frustrations are boiling over among laid-off and furloughed workers who have been unable to cut through the system to obtain benefits.

“Even with a new system in place, many people still cannot get through to IDES over the phone or online, and some have not received any payment at all,” Bennett said. “We cannot ask people to stay home if they aren’t receiving the necessary means to put food on the table.”

Bennett has also argued that Champaign and Vermilion counties' current health statistics are under control and the Central Region of the Restore Illinois plan is ready to move to phase 3, which would allow for a safe opening of manufacturers, retail store, barbershops and salons.

Because of the work from residents to help flatten the curve and reduce the spread, Champaign and Vermilion counties have been able to maintain a steady and declining number of new cases of COVID-19. As of Wednesday, Champaign County had 435 positive cases of COVID-19 and 7 deaths, while Vermilion County had 30 positive cases and 1 death.

“Moving forward, I am focused on preparing Illinois communities to safely reopen,” Bennett said. “Until the unemployment system can handle the needs of Illinoisans in an adequate way, I will work toward getting people back to work in a safe and responsible manner to restore livelihoods.”

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is promoting the state’s new Get Hired Illinois web portal, which connects workers with available job opportunities and a new partnership with Coursera to provide Illinoisans with professional development.

“I know many have lost their jobs during these unprecedented times,” Joyce said. “I encourage everyone who has lost their job to use this new website to help find work.”

The Get Hired portal combines resources from the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide information on both unemployment and job opportunities in one location. The page is designed for job seekers of all levels and backgrounds and allows employers to upload jobs, virtual career fairs, and training opportunities.

Job seekers and employers can access the page here.

Nearly 60,000 job opportunities across a range of industries are currently available on the Get Hired portal, and more will be made available in the coming weeks. Additionally, more than 70 employers have committed to hosting virtual job fairs through the site.

The state is also launching a new partnership with Coursera to provide professional development opportunities for individuals looking to navigate new career pathways. After completing these online programs, participants will have the opportunity to continue their studies at a local community college or university, or to connect with employers through their local workforce boards.

Unemployed Illinois residents can access the Coursera platform on Illinois WorkNet beginning June 1, 2020.

CHICAGO – To help students who are seeking post-secondary education, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) is encouraging high school graduates to apply for the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (ILBCF) Scholarship.

“We aim to give students the boost they need to further their education,” Sims said. “I hope students will take full advantage of this opportunity and ease some of the financial pressure of going to college.” 

The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Scholarship has been a catalyst for many low-income students who would not be able to afford certain expenses upon arriving at the higher learning facility. 

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Thursday, June 4. Students who are applying for the scholarship must be an Illinois resident, and if awarded, they will receive $1,000.

“We want to sow a seed in the futures of our young people,” Sims said. “There is so much potential yet to be unlocked. This resource is a great start to help students achieve their dreams.”

Students who want to apply for the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Scholarship can complete the application here.