PARK FOREST – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many companies are using their manufacturing capabilities to make disinfectant products to distribute to frontline heroes. A local example is Essations Inc., a hair and skin care product company located in Park Forest  that turned its production lines to hand sanitizer.

However, Essations Inc. found itself with a dwindling supply of alcohol  – the most important ingredient in hand sanitizer. Stephanie Luster, the company’s president and director of Education, contacted State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) for help. Sen. Joyce quickly reached out to multiple state agencies, including the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

“Stephanie Luster and Essations are taking exactly the initiative we need right now,” Joyce said. “I was eager to help her small business continue operations and bring much needed hand sanitizer to the members of our community.”

Sen. Joyce contacted Dept. of Ag. Director Jerry Costello, who called the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center. NCERC Executive Director John Caupert agreed to help find an ethanol biorefinery that could help Essations continue producing hand sanitizer.

“The only way we’ll get through this difficult time is by supporting each other,” Joyce said. “I want to thank all of the companies and individuals who worked together to help connect Essations and Adkins Energy.”

Once Luster confirmed  the volume of ethanol needed and the best method of delivery, Caupert contacted Ray Baker, General Manager of Adkins Energy in Lena, Illinois. Adkins Energy agreed to partner with Essations to ensure hand sanitizer production continued in Park Forest.

“Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello is someone I admire and respect very much, so I was eager to help when he said I would likely be contacted by Illinois State Senator Pat Joyce,” said NCERC Director Caupert. “Senator Joyce, like me, is a farm boy, and farmers rally to assist and support each other. From one farm boy to another, I couldn’t wait to assist Senator Joyce’s constituent, in whatever way I possibly could.”

With the help of a local chapter of the Teamsters Union, who volunteered to make sure the project was a success, the first shipment of ethanol went out on Friday, April 17.

CHICAGO — Nearly 140,000 Illinoisans could benefit from a new effort to help people struggling to pay their student loans. In light of the countless Americans falling behind due to the unprecedented economic hardships faced on both a statewide and national level, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) emphasized the importance of seeking relief.

“Paying student loans is the last thing people should have to worry about during this pandemic,” Van Pelt said. “I urge everyone impacted to contact their loan providers as soon as possible. Borrowers need to be aware of all student loan deferment options available to them.”

Introduced by Gov. JB Pritzker and Secretary Deborah Hagan of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, this initiative will allow 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 to be eligible for expanded relief.

Borrowers in need of assistance are encouraged 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,
• Working with borrower to enroll them in other borrower assistance programs, such as income-based repayment.

Anyone having problems contacting their student loan servicer should call 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 – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Illinois, and State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is reminding Illinoisans what they can do they can do to help prevent child abuse and neglect during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our Stay at Home Order poses unique risks for children who are living in abusive environments,” Feigenholtz said. “It’s critical that friends and neighbors continue to stay alert and report any suspicions they have to DCFS.”

If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, you can call the Department of Children and Family Services’ Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (22873).

Hotline staff is working at full capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains available to take calls 24 hours a day. Child abuse specialists continue to respond to hotline calls and assess child safety with face-to-face contact within 24 hours.

“We all have a responsibility to help prevent abuse and neglect,” Feigenholtz said. “If you suspect a child may be being abused, I strongly urge you to call the hotline and notify the authorities.”

Feigenholtz’s office is closed for the duration of the Stay at Home Order, but can still be reached at 773-296-4141 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PEORIA— In an effort to help people struggling to pay their student loans during the unprecedented economic challenges facing the state and country, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) highlighted relief options that could benefit nearly 140,000 Illinoisans.

“It’s no secret that people across the state are facing a great deal of uncertainty regarding their futures,” Koehler said. “Adding student loan payments to the already heavy burden that has been placed on their shoulders doesn’t sit well with me, and I’m glad that the State of Illinois has prioritized offering relief to those who are anxious about these looming payments. I urge those who have been impacted to reach out to their loan providers to discuss alternate repayment options.”

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,
•         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.