DES PLAINES – In an effort to provide support to Illinoisans facing unprecedented economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) highlighted relief options that could help nearly 140,000 Illinoisans pay their student loans.

“Widespread unemployment means that many Illinoisans are struggling to keep up with bills, including student loan payments,” Murphy said. “If you’re facing financial hardship during this time, don’t wait—contact your loan provider now to discuss your options.”

Under this new initiative, spearheaded by Gov. JB Pritzker and Secretary Deborah Hagan of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, people with commercially owned Federal Family Education Program Loans or privately held student loans who are having a hard time making their payments due to COVID-19 will be eligible for expanded relief.

Borrowers who need assistance are asked to contact their student loan provider immediately to set up a plan.

Relief options are based on a person’s individual needs and include:

• Providing a minimum of 90 days of forbearance;
• Waiving late payment fees;
• Ensuring that no borrower is subject to negative credit reporting;
• Ceasing debt collection lawsuits for 90 days; and
• Working with borrower to enroll them in other borrower assistance programs, such as income-based repayment.

Those having problems contacting their student loan servicer can contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Banking at 217-785-2900 or the attorney general’s student loan helpline at 1-800-455-2456.

CHICAGO — In an effort to help people struggling to pay their student loans during the unprecedented economic challenges facing the state and country, State Senator Emil Jones, III highlighted relief options that could benefit nearly 140,000 Illinoisans. 

“Paying student loan debt is not an essential matter when borrowers are experiencing pay cuts,” Jones (D-Chicago) said. “This is an obstacle borrowers do not need during this tough time. I recommend they contact their loan provider and see if their payments can be waved through the duration of this crisis.”

Under the initiative, spearheaded by Gov. JB Pritzker and Secretary Deborah Hagan of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, people with commercially-owned Federal Family Education Program Loans or privately held student loans who are having a hard time making their payments due to COVID-19 will be eligible for expanded relief.

Borrowers who need assistance are asked to immediately contact their student loan provider to set up a plan. 

Relief options are based on a person’s individual needs and include:

• Providing a minimum of 90 days of forbearance,
• Waiving late payment fees,
• Ensuring that no borrower is subject to negative credit reporting,
• Ceasing debt collection lawsuits for 90 days, and
• Working with borrower to enroll them in other borrower assistance programs, such as income-based repayment.

If a person is having problems contacting their student loan servicer, they can contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Banking at 217-785-2900 or the attorney general’s student loan helpline at 1-800-455-2456.

ROCKFORD —The City of Rockford has been awarded a total of $520,000 to help area homeowners with repairs, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced.

“At some point in life almost everyone needs emergency home repairs,” Stadelman said. “At any time, these repairs can cause serious financial strain for families, and this is especially true right now.”

The Illinois Housing Development Authority Board of Directors awarded the City of Rockford the grant to help low-income homeowners with necessary home repairs. The group awarded $11,000,000 statewide through the state’s Single Family Rehabilitation Program. The lump sum is projected to help at least 326 families. 

The Single Family Rehabilitation Program provides forgivable loans of up to $45,000 per household to assist with necessary repairs to remove documented health and safety hazards. Eligible repairs include roofing, flooring and plumbing, among others. 

A roof-only option is also available for people who do not need other repairs. Those recipients are offered up to $16,500 to mitigate against future roof damage. 

“The funds that have been awarded to Rockford will provide much needed relief to these families who are already experiencing the added stress of the uncertain times we’re living in,” Stadelman said. “I’m asking anyone who needs additional assistance to apply for help.”

Households that are eligible can find additional information on The Illinois Housing Development Authority’s website, www.ihda.org.

New COVID-19 testing center open in Little Village

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) announced today that a new COVID-19 testing facility is open in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago.

“The systemic health disparities my community faces have existed since well before this pandemic, but are now on display for everyone to see,” Villanueva said. “I am grateful that the state is increasing testing availability in the communities hardest hit by coronavirus. Everyone deserves access to quality health care, regardless of their ZIP code.”

The new testing facility will be administered by Howard Brown Health and located at Project Vida, 2659 S. Kedvale Ave., Chicago. They can be reached by phone at 773-388-1600. Services will be available to all residents regardless of immigration status.

Other COVID-19 testing sites in and near the 11^th Senate District include:

• AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center, 5101 Willow Springs Rd., La Grange (708-245-9000)
• Esperanza Health Center, 2001 S. California Ave., #100, Chicago (773-584-6200)
• Esperanza Health Center, 4700 S. California Ave., Chicago (773-584-6200)
• Lawndale Christian Health Center, 3860 Ogden Ave., Chicago (872-588-3000)
• Mile Square Health Center, 1220 S. Wood St., Chicago (312-996-2000)
• Rush Oak Park Hospital, 520 S. Maple Ave., Chicago (708-383-9300)
• Saint Anthony Hospital, 2875 W. 19^th St., Chicago (773-484-1000)
• Sinai Health System, 1500 S. Fairfield Ave., Chicago (773-542-2000)

Many testing sites require you to make an appointment with your primary health provider before getting tested for COVID-19. Please call in advance to see what steps are necessary before getting tested.

PARK FOREST — In these uncertain times, we all have a lot of questions. As a state senator, Patrick Joyce strives to keep everyone updated with the most useful and accurate information.

“My most important job is to inform residents about resources that can help them during this hard and uncertain time,” said Joyce, a Democrat from Essex. “My office is working around the clock to address all questions and concerns our community has.”

Sen. Joyce’s district office is adhering to the Stay at Home Order, and all staff is working remotely. However, phone calls are forwarded and emails are still being answered.

If people need help identifying an entity to help with unemployment, food, shelter and other topics that can be difficult to navigate, Senator Joyce’s office is happy to help. It can be reached by calling the district office at (807) 756-0882, the Springfield office at (217) 782-7419 or emailing here.

To get the most up-to-date information relating to COVID-19 straight to their inbox, people are encouraged to sign up for Senator Joyce’s newsletter here. The Illinois Senate Democrats also recently rolled out a COVID-19 webpage, which outlines closures, family resources, the governor’s daily briefing and more. To find it, click here.

CHICAGO – With the Lyons Elementary School District 103 board scheduled to meet tonight to consider cutting custodial staff, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“The school board needs to rethink reducing custodial staff during a global pandemic. Custodians have been essential to our public health even before this pandemic so firing them now will put students at higher risk.

“I am calling on our community to come together for these hard-working individuals whose labor is underappreciated and undervalued. It is an insult that their livelihoods are on the line at the same time that administrative positions with six-figure salaries are being considered.”

People interested in making a public comment must email their public comment to latronicac@sd103.com by April 22, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Comments are limited to 200 words and will be read during the meeting.

WESTERN SPRINGS – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) again urged residents to take advantage of assistance from her office to help connect with pandemic response resources during the Stay at Home Order.

“My most important job right now is to connect residents with the resources that can help them navigate this crisis,” Glowiak Hilton said. “My office is working to address any questions and concerns our community has.”

Senator Glowiak Hilton’s district office is adhering to the Stay at Home Order, and all staff are working remotely. However, phone calls are forwarded and emails are still being answered.

If people need help identifying an entity to help with unemployment, food, shelter or other services that can be difficult to navigate, Senator Glowiak Hilton’s office can be reached by calling 630-785-3177 or emailing glowiak@senatorsuzyglowiak.com.

To get the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, Senator Glowiak Hilton encourages residents to sign up for her e-newsletter here. The Illinois Senate Democrats also recently launched a new COVID-19 webpage, which outlines closures, family resources, the governor’s daily briefing and more.

CHAMPAIGN – As the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold, many people continue to have a lot of questions. As a state senator, Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) strives to keep everyone updated with the most helpful and accurate information.

“As we continue to face these difficult and uncertain times, it is vitally important that residents stay informed and, even more importantly, that they get accurate information,” said Bennett. “Our Champaign and Danville offices are ready to answer questions and provide support in accessing state services.”   

Sen. Bennett’s district offices are adhering to the Stay at Home Order, and all staff is working remotely. However, phone calls are forwarded and emails are still being answered.

If people need help identifying an entity to help with unemployment, food, shelter and other topics that can be difficult to navigate, Senator Bennett’s office is happy to help. It can be reached by calling 217-355-5252 or 217-442-5252.

To get the most up-to-date information relating to COVID-19 straight to their inbox, people are encouraged to sign up for Senator Bennett’s newsletter here. The Illinois Senate Democrats also recently rolled out a COVID-19 webpage, which outlines closures, family resources, the governor’s daily briefing and more. To find it, click here.