Caucus News

CHICAGO – With deep concern for young people facing high rates of unemployment due to the COVID-19 crisis, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) encourages youth employment service providers to apply for grants to help provide more jobs and support to those in need.

“Youth employment is a continuing issue that has put our young people in even more difficult situations because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lightford said. “That is why it is important that we are investing these dollars in communities that need the support the most.”

Lightford worked with the Department of Human Services to ensure the Illinois Youth Investment Program grants are targeted to provide jobs and support for people ages 16 to 24 in some of the most underserved communities across the state.

The Illinois Youth Investment Program, administered by DHS, supports at-risk youth who are seeking long-term, career employment. Providers interested in serving young people in their area can apply for grants through Aug. 3 online at DHS’ website.

“Our youth play significant roles in our society, and providing job opportunities will ensure their success,” Lightford said. “There are young people helping support their household, maintaining their own households and working toward their future. We have a responsibility to not let their ambition go to waste, and that is why I encourage service providers to engage in this work.”

Grants are awarded to providers who can assist at-risk youth with short-term, long-term and industry-specific career development opportunities. In addition to employment support, IYIP also provides participants with support services for their physical, emotional, social and mental health needs. Questions about IYIP and other DHS grants can be answered online or by calling 800-843-6154.

MARYVILLE – After securing an extension, the federal government is accepting more applications for the Paycheck Protection Program, and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is encouraging business owners to research the forgivable loan programs available through the Small Business Administration.

“Although Illinois is in Phase Four of the state’s reopening plan, small businesses continue to struggle with lost revenues and additional costs in enacting guidelines,” Crowe said. “I’m strongly encouraging self-employed residents and small business owners to explore the benefits of applying for a federal, forgivable loan program.”

To help provide financial support to businesses, the Federal Treasury Department and the U.S. Small Business Administration extended the application period for the Paycheck Protection Program. Businesses can get up to $10 million in relief funding through the first come, first served program. Under the extended deadline, businesses must apply by Aug. 8.

The financial lifeline helps employers keep people on the payroll and pay overhead expenses. If used as intended, the loans don’t have to be repaid.

More than 27,000 Illinois businesses have already taken advantage of the loans – saving an estimated 1.36 million jobs – according to the Small Business Administration.

PPP loans have an interest rate of 1% and can be fully forgiven if they are used for payroll costs, rent, utilities or interest on mortgages.

To find participating lenders, business owners and managers can visit the Small Business Administration’s website, found here.

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville’s Small Business Development Center is ready to assist entrepreneurs and companies by helping to find information and provide confidential business guidance, training and other resources to small businesses. More information is available at the SIUE SBDC website.

PEORIA – To provide residents with an opportunity to improve vital life skills, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced local organizations will receive more than $200,000 in grants from the secretary of state’s office to help adult learners develop reading, mathematics, writing, and English-language skills.

“Providing adult residents with more learning opportunities can only benefit our community. Everyone deserves the opportunity to better themselves, regardless of their age,” Koehler said. “I also encourage all who are able and willing to help their neighbors improve these vital life skills to volunteer.”

More than 13,500 students will be served by adult literacy programs throughout Illinois. Supported by $5.6 million in state funds, the programs will depend on nearly 6,000 volunteer tutors to provide skills training for students, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Adult literacy projects are focused on improving reading, writing and math and are targeted at Illinois adults who read below the 9th-grade level or speak English at a beginning level.

Local organizations receiving these grants include:

• Spoon River College, $54,000
• YWCA Pekin, $65,000
• Neighborhood House, $51,488
• Peoria County Regional Office of Education, $60,597

Those interested in volunteering should contact the Illinois Adult Learning Hotline at 800-321-9511.

PARK FOREST – With the income tax filing deadline approaching, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Park Forest) is reminding residents to file their state and federal taxes on or before July 15.

“Because of COVID-19, the filing deadline was extended to July 15,” Joyce said. “While the extension provided taxpayers a few extra months to make payments during this pandemic, the deadline is almost here, and I am urging residents to file their 2019 income taxes as quickly as possible.”

According to the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR), the fastest, most secure way to receive a refund is to file a tax return electronically and request a direct deposit into a checking or savings account. Taxpayers may file and pay their IL-1040 for free through MyTax Illinois. Taxpayers who have already filed a return can check their status at www.MyTax.Illinois.gov.
 
For the most up-to-date information, forms, schedules and instructions for the 2019 tax year, please visit IDOR’s website at tax.illinois.gov.

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) thanked Delta Dental Monday for supplying Lake County with a $50,000 emergency grant to improve oral health and overall health for area residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Together, with the help of groups like Delta Dental, we will get through this health crisis,” Bush said. “Protecting the health of all Illinoisans is a top priority.”

The grant received by the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center was part of $1 million awarded by the Delta Dental Illinois Foundation through its emergency grant program. The Lake County Health Department was one of 20 Illinois groups to receive part of the funding.

With its share of the money, the Waukegan-based group will develop a system to control airborne particles generated during dental services and purchase additional personal protective equipment for the dental team.

“Oral care is an important part of an individual’s overall health and well-being,” Bush said. “People need to feel safe when they go to the dentist.”

New Hunter law expands access to health care for communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19

CHICAGO — State Senator Mattie Hunter’s (D-Chicago) legislation aimed at improving access to health care in communities across Illinois that have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic was signed into law last week by Governor JB Pritzker.

“In Illinois, you deserve access to high-quality health care and treatment, no matter your economic status, your ZIP code or what you look like,” Hunter said. “This law extends that promise to many of our neighbors who have been left out, often due to long-standing racial health and economic disparities.”

Read more.

Aquino applauds legislation aimed to provide funding for hospitals serving low-income families

CHICAGO — State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) applauds the signing of legislation aimed at providing funding to hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new law brings an additional $450 million to safety-net hospitals, prioritizing the institutions that serve a high number of Medicaid patients.

“I thank Governor J.B. Pritzker for signing this legislation that brings certainty to health care providers and the low-income clients they serve,” Aquino said. “The additional money will be vital to communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.”

Read more.

Villanueva encourages youth employment assistance providers to apply for state grant

CHICAGO — With young people facing high rates of unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) announced the Illinois Youth Investment Program is extending its grant application deadline to Aug. 3, 2020.

“For most of my career I have been dedicated to the development of young people and am continuously amazed at the things that they can accomplish,” Villanueva said. “Organizations looking to help at-risk young people should apply for these grants so that they have the necessary resources to set them up for success.”

Read more.

Lightford: Chicago gun violence is a symptom of a larger problem

CHICAGO — Over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Chicago saw gun violence across the city, including the deaths of 7-year-old Natalia Wallace and 14-year-old Vernado Jones. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement in reaction to the devastating events that took place.

“I have dedicated my career to the idea that every child deserves a quality education, a transformative tool they can use to better themselves. Then, tragedies like the killings of Natalia Wallace and Vernado Jones happen, and we are once again facing the dark reality that our children are not safe enough to benefit from any education."

Read more.

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CHICAGO – With the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of families depend on federally funded nutrition programs, leading State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to educate child care centers about the upcoming Child and Adult Care Food Program and the resources it will help provide.

“This pandemic has proven to be a time of struggle for many. I am happy this program will continue, so our children never have to go hungry,” Van Pelt said.

In addition to child care centers, Head Start programs, emergency shelters and day care home providers will be eligible for the funding, which will offer healthy meals to children.

People in households who participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are also eligible to receive free meal benefits. Families that don’t receive TANF or SNAP benefits eligibility will be determined by the USDA Household Income Eligibility Guidelines.

A member of the household should contact their child care center or day care home provider to learn about benefits of the CACFP if their household’s income falls within or below the listed guidelines. They may be required to complete an application and provide income, TANF or SNAP information.

Children enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start programs at approved Head Start facilities, and foster care children who are legal responsibilities of the state or court also receive free meal assistance. To find out if they participate in CACFP, parents or guardians should contact their child care center or day care home provider.

How to apply:

• Child care institutions can learn more and apply for the program here: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Nutrition-and-Wellness-Child-Care-Institutions.aspx

• Family day care homes can learn more here: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Family-Day-Care-Homes.aspx

• Those interested in the adult care portion of the program can visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/aging/programs/Pages/Child-and-Adult-Care-Food-Program-(CACFP).aspx

ROCKFORD – In anticipation of extreme summer heat across Illinois, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) reminds drivers to remain alert, expect slowdowns and be cautious of pavement buckling on roads.

“We all know the heat during the summer months can cause health issues and increase the risk of buckling pavement on our roads,” Stadelman said. “I’m asking Rockford residents to simply be more mindful of this when they take to the roads, and if they see any unsafe buckling to report it to roadway officials.”

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, pavement failures or blowouts occur when prolonged high temperatures cause the road to expand and buckle up or blow out, resulting in uneven driving surfaces. Precipitation and humidity increase the potential for buckling.

Stadelman is also reminding drivers to slow down and be cautious of construction workers when present.

Pavement failures can be reported to IDOT by calling 800-452-4368 or by reaching out to law enforcement via 911.