CHICAGO – With working families facing food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) is promoting the state’s expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

“Thousands of people have been thrown out of work and need to feed their families,” Villanueva said. “We can’t allow the most vulnerable among us to go hungry during this crisis.”

The Illinois Department of Human Services announced that all SNAP recipients and new applicants will receive the maximum benefit beginning this week, impacting over 450,000 households. The increased benefits will be loaded onto Link cards automatically through May, so there is no need to call or re-apply.

CHAMPAIGN - To help drivers share the road with farm equipment, Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) urges farmers to use caution when they see a slow moving tractor or other piece of equipment on the road. 

While Illinoisans are staying home to slow the spread of coronavirus, farmers are still performing essential work during the 2020 planting season, which means drivers performing essential travel are sharing the road with more farm machinery. 

“Spring planting is an especially busy time for farmers and that brings additional risks to agriculture workers,” Senator Bennett said. “We’re seeing reduced vehicular traffic right now from the Stay at Home Order, but farmers and motorists are still expected to slow down and be safe, courteous drivers.”

GLENVIEW – A new, free-of-charge emotional support text line, Call4Calm, is now available for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced today.

“The COVID-19 outbreak has been an overwhelming time for many Illinoisans, and some feel like they are struggling alone,” said Fine. “I hope Call4Calm shows these people they are not alone— there is help.”

Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division launched the hotline, which connects Illinoisans with the mental health services and other support systems they need.

PARK FOREST – Because the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Illinois, Governor Pritzker issued an extension of the Stay at Home Order until the end of April. With many people suffering from stress and anxiety due to COVID-19, financial challenges, and social isolation, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) wants to share resources with the community on how to manage their mental health while staying safe.

“Maintaining good mental health is vital during these trying times,” Joyce said. “Please know that you are not alone and there are resources available to help.”

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a Will/Grundy County hotline that also serves Kankakee County at (815)-731-9103 and a textline for support. Text NAMI to 741741 for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.

WOOD RIVER – To create more areas for people of all ages to be active outdoors, the city of Alton received a $600,000 state grant to expand Gordon Moore Park in Alton, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) and State Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) announced Wednesday.

“It is always important to get outside and be active in order to live a healthy and substantial lifestyle,” Crowe said. “By funding local projects to build safe, public spaces for activities, we’re not only helping residents live that lifestyle, we’re also attracting economic growth and other tourism to the Riverbend region.”

"The release of this grant money will give the Riverbend Region a boost after months of economic uncertainty and strain," Bristow said. "After this project is completed, sports teams from around the region and state will be able to come and see the best Alton has to offer."

Grant funds will be used toward the excavation and site prep of two fields as well as a drainage system. Construction work will include grading the field surface and removing vegetation.

The grant is funded by the state’s Build Illinois Bonds.