SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker has awarded the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) $1.3 million in grants geared towards strengthening the early childhood workforce, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced Tuesday.

“Educators and their effective skills are central to students’ experiences in the classroom,” Lightford said. “I applaud Governor Pritzker in his efforts to ensure educators receive resources that gives them the opportunity to shape our children’s future.”

Illinois’ institution-led programs of tailored supports for early childhood educators have shown they can be helpful for current early childhood educators pursuing degrees or credentials to improve their practice.

The grants will be used by colleges and universities to help early childhood educators gain a credential or degree. The funds can be used for supports like personalized advising and mentoring, job-embedded coaching, technology access, transportation, childcare and supports for course fees.

According to the Illinois Career Information System and Illinois Department of Employment Security, the necessity for well-prepared teachers is anticipated to increase by nearly 10% in the next six years.

IBHE is now looking for proposals from Illinois community colleges and four-year institutions that plan to support groups of early childhood educators next academic year as they pursue an Illinois Gateways credential or degree.

For more information about how to apply for the grant, go to ibhe.org/IBHE-EC4.html.

PEORIA – To potentially save homeowners money on rising utility bills, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is encouraging residents to participate in the Citizens Utility Board’s (CUB) Virtual Utility Bill Clinic.

“While we spend more of our time at home with loved ones, the increase in utility costs is inevitable,” Koehler said. “As we continue to manage the consequences of COVID-19, every dollar counts. People need to know there are free programs available that can provide folks with measures to take which could result in lower utility costs. I urge homeowners to participate in a Citizens Utility Board clinic to see what savings may be in store for them.”

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.

For more information on the program, please visit www.citizensutilityboard.org.

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) and other elected officials are partnering with community organizations to distribute masks to the Little Village community on Wednesday. Mask distribution is first come, first served, with priority given to seniors.

“Little Village has the highest infection rate in the entire state, and we need to make sure that the most vulnerable people in our community are protected,” Villanueva said. “We all must take precautions to protect them, so please come by to get a mask if you do not have one.”

Event partners include Enlace Chicago, Rincón Family Services and Telpochcalli Community Education Project.

WHO:  State Senator Celina Villanueva, Alderperson Michael Rodriguez, U.S. Representative Jesús “Chuy” García, Commissioner Alma E. Anaya, State Representatives Lisa Hernandez, Edgar Gonzalez and Aarón Ortíz

WHAT: Little Village Mask Distribution

WHEN: Wednesday, May 13, 2020 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Second Federal Bank (West Parking Lot), 2520 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60623

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.