DANVILLE – In response to Illinois schools transitioning to e-learning for the remainder of the academic year, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is encouraging remote learners and educators to use the state’s new drive-up Wi-Fi hotspot map to find free wireless internet locations.

“Remote learning has been a challenge for students living in rural areas and they need a strong, reliable Wi-Fi connection to communicate with their teachers and complete their coursework,” Bennett said. “This interactive map is a great tool for the thousands of students participating in e-learning.”

Designed to assist students at every level who don’t have consistent internet access in their homes, the interactive map provides drive-up Wi-Fi locations throughout the state and specific log-in instructions for visitors. Students and their parents or guardians should continue to practice social distancing by remaining in their cars while using the hotspots.

“It’s important that we support our teachers, students, and parents during this difficult time, in addition to keeping students on course academically,” Bennett said.

The Wi-Fi map has multiple locations available in Vermilion County, including local colleges and libraries. To find a hotspot near you, click here.

CHICAGO – To bring attention to the many West Side seniors who aren’t getting the help they need during the coronavirus pandemic, Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) held a press conference Sunday and urged the community to get involved with relief efforts.

“What are these seniors supposed to do?” said Van Pelt. “They have no resources, no transportation, which means no access to testing, no way to get groceries, no basic sanitary products. Somebody’s got to act on their behalf.”

Van Pelt was joined at the press conference by a number of community leaders, including:

• Robin Hood, Senior Liaison for the 5^th District;
• Rosemary Coleman, Local Advisory Council President (LAC) for Chicago Housing Authority;
• Louvenia Hood, Executive Director, Mothers Opposed to Violence Everywhere; and
• Valencia Pringle, Executive Director, Family Cares Mission.

They discussed the needs of the senior community, and how they have been neglected. Seniors are the most susceptible to the virus, with nearly half of the state’s cases being reported in nursing homes.

Before the press conference, Van Pelt and her team distributed 10,000 pairs of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to hundreds of residents at Albany Terrace and Patrick Sullivan Apartments. Patrick Sullivan is one of three homes in the senior living community that has suffered coronavirus-related casualties, according to LAC President Rosemary Coleman.

“I feared this would happen,” said Rev. Hood. “These seniors have been left in the dark, deprived of the resources they need to stay alive. I’m not going to sit here and wait for them to die.”

Despite the PPE packages the seniors received on Sunday, Van Pelt says that won’t be enough to protect them against the worst of the coronavirus.

“For the sake of our seniors’ health and safety, we can’t let the current conditions continue,” Van Pelt said. “I urge members of the community to step in and donate what they can to help make sure our older citizens can get the help they need.”

Van Pelt’s office is partnering with Family Cares Mission and asks that anyone interested in helping the city’s seniors donate here.

BUNKER HILL – Following pressure from members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Illinois Secretary of State has opened three Commercial Drivers License (CDL) facilities to meet the increasing demand being placed on commercial and agricultural enterprises engaged in delivering and producing essential goods.

“The trucking industry plays an extraordinary role in the health and safety of Illinois residents during this difficult time. A shortage of drivers could restrict our food supply, pandemic response efforts, and economic recovery,” said State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee. “We must make sure that testing and licensing services are available and that facilities can meet the high volume of new drivers with permits who are ready to test.”

The Secretary of State’s Office will be taking the necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of employees and applicants.

The locations and hours of the facilities open include:

• Springfield Dirksen, 2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Marion, 1905 W. Rendelman St., Tuesday 8 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Wednesday-Friday 8 a.m. -5 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m.-noon 
• West Chicago, 120 Powis Rd., Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

CDL driving tests will be conducted by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 217-785-3013. All other CDL transactions will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Secretary of State’s Office will be taking the necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of employees and applicants.

For more information, please visit cyberdriveillinois.com.

DES PLAINES – To protect the region’s representation in government and ensure its fair share of federal funding, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) encouraged residents of the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago to fill out the 2020 Census. 

“Census data is used to determine federal funding for our roads, schools, hospitals and more. Especially during these challenging times, our communities need help to continue providing important services to residents,” said Murphy. “Your response could help our community secure that much-needed support.”

As of May 11, 73.4% of DuPage County residents had responded to the census, significantly higher than Cook County’s response rate of 58.2%. Both counties have yet to reach their response rates from the 2010 Census.

Murphy also pointed out that when more individuals respond to the census on their own, fewer census workers must visit households in-person. During the COVID-19 pandemic, that means less risk to the health of census workers and their families.

The fastest way to respond to the census is by filling it out online at my2020census.gov. However, individuals can also respond over the phone or by filling out the form they receive in the mail.

“It only takes 10 minutes to fill out the census,” said Murphy. “If you’ve already completed it, call a family member or neighbor to check if they’ve been counted. Taking that extra step could make all the difference for our community.”

Individuals can find additional information about the census at 2020census.gov. To see responses rates across Illinois and the nation, visit www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us. 

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – With utility costs rising for working families as they transition to working and learning from home, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) encouraged residents to participate in the Citizens Utility Board’s (CUB) ongoing Virtual Utility Bill Clinic to potentially save homeowners money during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Shifting our workplaces from the office to our homes means in some cases shifting our costs home, too," Gillespie said. “Those in need of economic relief should send their bills to CUB to see where they can save.”

To participate, residents should send a copy of their most recent electric, natural gas and telecom bills to CUB at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Attn: Virtual Utility Bill Clinic.” Participants can remove personal information, but their documents should include the account holder’s name.

A CUB specialist will evaluate the bill to determine if you are signed up with an alternative supplier or if you are paying for unnecessary products or services. CUB will also let you know if you are eligible for money-saving programs, like financial assistance, and share information about energy efficiency programs.

Senator Gillespie encourages residents to take advantage of CUB’s free utility bill clinics so they can keep their utility usage and costs in check. For more information on the program, please visit www.citizensutilityboard.org.

CHICAGO – In light of Gov. JB Pritzker’s recent announcement that Illinois schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is encouraging Chicago’s remote learners and educators to use the state’s new drive-up Wi-Fi hotspot map to find free wireless internet locations.

“Lack of internet access for urban families is one of many significant problems underscored by COVID-19,” Hunter said. “While it will take long-term solutions to close this divide, this interactive map is a great tool for the thousands of students whose academic progress has been thrown off balance in the middle of the school year.”

Designed to assist students at every level who don’t have consistent internet access in their homes, the interactive map provides drive-up Wi-Fi locations throughout the state and specific log-in instructions for visitors. Students and their parents or guardians should continue to practice social distancing by remaining in their cars while using the hotspots.

As of May 11, the Wi-Fi map has 380 hotspots students can use to complete coursework.

“Low-income students in our community already face problems that hinder their educational outcomes,” Hunter said. “It’s important we do everything we can to help keep student support networks strong, in addition to keeping them on track academically.”

To find a hotspot near you, click here.

Park Forest — In a letter sent earlier today, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) called on the governor to move Kankakee and Grundy Counties into another region in his COVID-19 reopening plan.

“Kankakee and Grundy Counties are largely rural, with very few large towns and much smaller cities,” Joyce said. “Not many people live in Kankakee and commute to Chicago. They don’t need to wait until Chicago and Cook County’s COVID-19 numbers go down before reopening.”

Joyce’s letter emphasized that Grundy County has a population of approximately 50,000 and that residents of both counties lead more similar lives to the more rural counties around them than to Cook and the collar counties.

“I also represent suburban Cook County, and I understand why those communities are in the same region as Chicago. They’re in the same county,” Joyce said. “For Kankakee and Grundy Counties, it just doesn’t make sense.”

Even before the governor announced his reopening plan, Joyce called for more local control over the reopening process. For example, he joined several of his colleagues in petitioning the governor to grant local health departments the authority to allow small local retailers to reopen with the same restrictions as big box stores.

“Our reopening plans have to be based on the best advice of medical professionals and scientists. The governor and I agree on that point,” Joyce said. “However, for the sake of people’s mental and financial health, I don’t think any community should stay closed longer than absolutely necessary.”

In the letter, Joyce also encouraged the governor to allow Will County to be its own region. Joyce represents a small, rural portion of Will County.

CHAMPAIGN - The Illinois Secretary of State’s office has taken steps to help commercial drivers continue delivering and producing essential goods, thanks to advocacy from Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign).

Three Commercial Drivers License (CDL) facilities are now open to meet the overwhelming demand being placed on commercial and agricultural enterprises delivering and producing essential goods. 

“Truckers are a key component of the supply chain and it relies upon new commercial drivers to haul goods across the country,” Senator Bennett said. “It’s imperative that CDL facilities open to train, test and license new commercial drivers to avoid truck driver shortages during this crisis.”

While only a limited number of facilities are set to reopen, the secretary of state’s office will be taking the necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of employees and applicants. 

The locations and hours of the facilities open include: 

• Springfield Dirksen, 2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 
• Marion, 1905 W. Rendelman St., Tuesday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Wednesday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m.-noon  
• West Chicago, 120 Powis Rd., Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

CDL driving tests will be conducted by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 217-785-3013. All other CDL transactions will be first-come, first-served. For more information, please visit cyberdriveillinois.com.