PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) offered the following statement in response to the governor’s approval of the state budget for the upcoming year:

“COVID-19 has presented our state with unprecedented challenges to which there are no easy solutions,” Koehler said. “When I returned to Springfield last month to pass a budget for the upcoming year, it was clear we needed to take swift, substantive action to preserve our local businesses and alleviate some of the hardship so many of our residents are facing at this moment.” 

The state’s budget for the upcoming year includes:

• $400 million for local health departments;
• $250 million in CARES Act funding for downstate local governments;
• More than $200 million set aside to help businesses affected by COVID-19 in downstate communities;
• Nearly $80 million for rent and mortgage assistance for people affected by COVID-19 in downstate communities;
• Nearly $60 million in additional funding for the Department of Employment Security to help address the challenges with the unemployment system;
• $10 million for mental health and substance abuse treatment related to COVID-19 in downstate communities.

 “While we have certainly been presented with an unfortunate situation, this is the sort of moment in which the legislature is supposed to step up and do what is right by those who we represent,” Koehler said. “This budget adequately uses the resources we have available to us at the state level to meet our immediate needs without sacrificing vital services.”

FRANKFORT – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) offered the following statement in response to Governor Pritzker’s approval of the state budget for the upcoming year: 

“From our working families and local businesses to bodies of government, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted every aspect of our lives,” Hastings said. “Naturally, when it comes to crafting a state budget during a national pandemic with decreased revenues and increased expenses, there are no easy decisions, but this budget meets the immediate needs of our people.”

The state’s budget for the upcoming year includes:

• $600 million in funding for businesses impacted by COVID-19
• $60 million in additional funding for the Illinois Department of Employment Security to help address the challenges with unemployment programs
• Full funding for our pension system
• No cuts to P-12 education funding

“My primary focus is and always will be to provide essential services to our neighbors while preserving public health,” Hastings said. “I’m pleased Governor Pritzker shares this vision.” 

MARYVILLE – Realizing the financial devastation the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have on local communities, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is relieved by the investments made for downstate Illinois in next year’s budget, which the governor signed into law Wednesday.

“It’s difficult to think of one department or industry that hasn’t been hurt by the pandemic,” Crowe said. “This budget recognizes our state’s fiscal reality, while funding essential services in downstate Illinois’ education institutions, health departments, businesses and local governments.”

The FY 21 budget:

• Continues to fulfill the state’s commitment to fully fund P-12 and higher education, with an additional $12.7 million going to the Illinois State Board of Education,
• Provides an additional $400 million for local health departments,
• Gives over $200 million to help businesses effected by COVID-19 in downstate communities, and
• Allocates $250 million in CARES Act funding for downstate local governments.

“With funding for businesses dependent on geographic location within state lines, investments will be seen in every corner of Illinois,” Crowe said. “Grants and other resources are also secured specifically for daycare providers in an effort to provide much needed support when residents return to work.”

In addition, the budget appropriates nearly $60 million in funding to the Department of Employment Security to address the challenges with the unemployment system, allowing the department to hire more staff for assistance on claims.

The FY 21 budget is effective July 1, 2020.

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago released the following statement after Governor JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 21 budget, found in Senate Bill 264, providing funding for services that will put Illinois on the road to recovery from the health and economic stresses caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Our immigrant communities were left with little to no support under federal aid packages as the Trump administration chose to ignore their needs. I applaud my colleagues and Governor Pritzker for increasing funding for immigrant welcoming centers and expanding Medicaid to cover undocumented seniors.

“Our small businesses will see support from $600 million in grants dedicated to helping them rebuild, including funds set aside for underserved communities. This budget also provides rent and mortgage assistance, and helps deliver important healthcare services.

“We won’t stop here. Young people continue to protest against inequities in our communities, and we need to answer their call. Latino communities in my district need violence intervention services, protection against environmental racism and more investments in economic development.”

NAPERVILLE — A measure that was signed into law last week will help survivors of sexual assault be able to receive medical forensic exams, also known as rape kits, at federally qualified health centers, in addition to hospitals during the COVID-19 crisis. State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is a strong supporter of the new law, which she voted for in May.

“Seeking help after a sexual assault is already difficult. Now that hospitals are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be that much harder,” Ellman said. “Nobody should be forced to make the decision between potentially contracting COVID-19 and seeking justice.”

Senate Bill 557 allows approved federally qualified health centers to perform rape kit examinations and collection during public health emergencies like COVID-19. 

“The reality is, this pandemic hasn’t stopped sexual assault in Illinois,” Ellman said. “It’s critical that survivors have access to medical forensic exams somewhere other than hospitals.”

This measure took effect last Friday.

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D- Grayslake) is urging all Lake County residents to prepare for possible severe weather by developing an emergency plan.

To help Illinois residents prepare for severe weather season, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service developed a Severe Weather Preparedness Guide that covers flooding, severe weather terms and tips for staying safe.

“Lake County has been particularly vulnerable to flooding,” Bush said. “I highly encourage all residents to sign up for the Lake County severe weather alerts in order to be prepared for unpredictable weather.”

For more Lake County-specific weather preparedness information please sign up for Alert Lake County here or visit the Lake County Flood Preparedness website here.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IEMA recommends a few new items be included in your emergency supply kit, including face coverings for every member of your family, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes. Other items to include in a basic emergency supply kit include water, food, NOAA weather radio, flashlight, batteries, phone charger and prescription medications. A complete list can be found online at www.ready.gov/kit.

For more information, IEMA offers severe weather preparedness information on the Ready Illinois website, a one-stop resource for detailed information about what to do before, during and after disasters.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law backed by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) aims to provide relief and flexibility to property tax owners.

“We are seeing the economic impact COVID-19 is having on residents who are struggling to get by,” Bennett said. “With property taxpayers suffering, it made sense to do what we can to help working families and small businesses find additional savings.”

Under this legislation, local businesses and residents would see property tax relief in the form of:

• Empowering county governments to approve 2020 homestead exemptions for those with disabilities, veterans with disabilities and senior citizens, as long as the property had been granted this exemption for 2019;
• Allowing counties with less than 3 million residents to waive interest penalties and fees for late property tax payments due in 2020;
• Deferred property tax sale.

“With residents desperate for property tax relief, these measures address problems plaguing property tax payers,” Bennett said. 

The legislation - Senate Bill 685 - was signed into law Friday and is effective immediately.

GLENVIEW – A free online job training program could help millions of out-of-work Illinoisans prepare for a new career in the information technology industry, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced.

“Information technology is one of the fastest growing industries, and skilled workers are in high demand,” said Fine. “The Workforce Recovery Initiative could give Illinoisans a leg up when starting a career in the field.”

Partnering with Coursera, an online learning platform, Illinois is one of the first states to make online job training courses free to residents through their Workforce Recovery Initiative. Now through September residents can apply online to enroll in over 3,800 industry-certified courses offered by accredited institutions. To receive credit, all courses must be completed by Dec. 31.

The state is also partnering with P33 and Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) to launch another training program, TechReady Illinois. This program will provide training for in-demand fields in the information technology industry. Upon completion, enrollees will be certified in data and analytics, cloud computing, cybersecurity or software development. Residents can apply online for the TechReady program here. TechReady Illinois is not a free program like Coursera, but DPI is working secure discounts for enrollees.

If you are interested in career opportunities outside the information technology industry, Get Hired Illinois is an online job portal that has over 60,000 listings available in a variety of industries.