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.  

MELROSE PARK – As testing continues to be a priority in stopping the spread of COVID-19, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced a new testing facility opening on May 11 in Melrose Park to serve Proviso Township residents.

“Nearby increased testing is imperative for the communities I represent,” Lightford said. “I am grateful for the work Access Community Network has done to launch their site and their continued commitment to the health of our local residents.”

As of May 7, Proviso Township had seen 2,052 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

New drive-thru COVID-19 testing site available in Waukegan

WAUKEGAN — A new drive-thru COVID-19 testing facility in Waukegan is now open to area residents, State Senator Terry Link (D-Indian Creek) announced.

“It remains critical that we continue to test as many individuals as possible to help us better understand the presence of this virus in Lake County and help limit its spread,” Link said. “If you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, I highly encourage you to stop by this new site and get tested.”

Read more.

Munoz distributes masks to local organizations

CHICAGO — To help prepare local residents for the new face covering requirement, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) partnered with Joann Fabrics in donating 5,000 masks to local businesses and organizations on Friday.

“My volunteers and I are more than grateful to be able to provide masks to local residents,” Munoz said. “I thank Joann Fabrics for their partnership and work during these trying times.”

Read more.

Several Senate Democrats urge IDPH to release nursing home PPE distribution numbers

CHICAGO — Before reaching an agreement with their managers, nearly 70 nursing homes across the state planned to go on strike because of unsafe working conditions. In response to the initial strike proposal, several Illinois Senate Democrats wrote a letter to the Illinois Department of Public Health and many local health departments requesting to know the amount of Personal Protective Equipment that has been distributed to those nursing homes and the process by which it was distributed.

The request comes from members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus who have at least one nursing home in the district they represent where management received strike notices last week. Employees of 64 nursing homes across the state sent strike notices to management, saying facilities do not have enough PPE, safety protocols, and adequate hazard pay.

Read more.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Scott Bennett, Champaign: Helping small businesses and their workers during COVID-19 | MyRadioLink

Senator Cristina Castro, Elgin: Latinos represent highest number of COVID-19 confirmed cases | Daily Herald

Senator Robert Peters, Chicago: Senate Democrat proposes six month rent, mortgage holiday to ease pain of pandemic | WSIL TV 3

Copyright 2020 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

CHICAGO –State Senator Heather Steans encouraged residents of the 7th Senate District to fill out the 2020 Census, protecting their representation in government and share of federal funding.

“Reporting rates are still below where they were in the 2010 census, and that means a less clear picture of how many people live here and what their needs are,” Steans said. “The census is more important than ever in determining what resources we get from the federal government, and filling it out has never been easier.”

Portions of Edgewater and Ravenswood lagged behind state averages in reporting in 2010 and continue to as the 2020 Census progresses so far this year.

Although filling out the questionnaire online is the quickest way to complete it, respondents can also submit their questionnaires by phone or by mail. Higher self-response rates mean fewer individuals are likely to receive visits from census surveyors to be counted in-person, something particularly important this year, Steans said.

“Census workers are doing everything they can to count everyone, and the more of us respond electronically or by mail, the fewer places those workers will need to go in person,” Steans said. “Let’s help them while we’re making sure we all count.”

Those who haven’t filled out the census questionnaire yet can visit 2020census.gov to find the online questionnaire and additional information about the census. To see local response rates across Illinois and the entire nation, visit www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is encouraging residents to participate in the Citizens Utility Board’s (CUB) ongoing Virtual Utility Bill Clinic to potentially save money during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As more people spend time at home, energy usage has gone up, which means monthly utility bills are going up as well,” Stadelman said. “Families already have additional financial burdens in this uncertain time. I encourage residents to use CUB’s online clinics to help them reduce their bills.”

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.

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

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) encouraged Champaign County residents to fill out the 2020 Census, protecting their representation in government and share of federal funding.

“The census is currently underway and is easy to complete with the new online questionnaire option. For a family of four, I was able to fill it out in a matter of minutes using a smartphone,” Bennett said. “Responding to the census is critically important because it determines funding for things like roads, hospitals, fire departments, and schools in Champaign County.”

In 2010, Champaign County had a final response rate of 70.4%. So far this year, Champaign’s response rate is down, currently only at 60.7%. More than half of the county’s residents’ responses have been submitted online.

“The census can be completed from the comfort of your own home and you can make your voice heard by participating,” Bennett said. “Now more than ever, it is vital that we ensure everyone is counted.”

Although online is the quickest way to fill out the questionnaire, there are three ways you can respond: online, by phone or by mail. Bennett also pointed out that higher self-response rates mean fewer individuals are likely to receive visits from census surveyors to be counted in-person. This year, census surveyors are putting the health of themselves and their families at risk from COVID-19.

If you haven’t filled out your census questionnaire yet, you can visit 2020census.gov, where you can find the online questionnaire and additional information about the census. To see local responses rates across Illinois and the entire nation, visit www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us.

Bennett urges Champaign County residents to complete census from home

CHICAGO – With her home ZIP code experiencing the highest COVID-19 infection rate in the state, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“Staying at home is a privilege that working people literally cannot afford. With an overwhelmed unemployment system, no adequate safety net and lack of personal protective equipment, people in my community are forced to choose between getting infected at work or losing everything.

“As we continue adapting to this pandemic, we must address the amplified economic and health disparities in our communities. It is black and brown ZIP codes that have the highest rates of infection, so addressing that starts with additional testing sites in our neighborhoods.

“I am grateful that the governor announced he is partnering with community health centers to make testing more available, as well as covered by emergency Medicaid regardless of status. I urge the governor to continue these partnerships and to reach out to local businesses to ensure that they are strictly following health and safety guidelines for the thousands of service industry and other essential workers who are putting their lives on the line.”