CHAMPAIGN – Building on the state’s commitment to support science and technology, the University of Illinois has been selected to receive federal funding for two research institutes focused on artificial intelligence, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Thursday.

“Researchers at the University of Illinois are addressing some of the most complex and exciting challenges of our time,” Bennett said. “I’m proud to see their work recognized, and I have no doubt that these institutions will drive discovery and innovation for decades to come.”

With these investments, the National Science Foundation will fund the AI Institute for Molecular Discovery, Synthetic Strategy and Manufacturing, also known as the Molecule Maker Lab Institute. In addition, the AI Institute for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management and Sustainability will advance AI research in computer vision, machine learning, soft-object manipulation and intuitive human-robot interaction to solve major agricultural challenges.

The funding comes from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Each of the new institutes will receive about $20 million over five years.

CHICAGO – With many older adults heavily Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) wants to highlight a recent announcement by the secretary of state’s office that all valid driver’s licenses held by Illinoisans who are 75 years of age or older have been extended by one year.

“It’s important to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our community,” Martwick said. “Extending licenses allows older adults to maintain social distancing as they are at high risk of complications from COVID-19 during this time.”

As a result, drivers age 75 and older with a 2020 driver’s license expiration date do not need to visit a facility to renew their licenses until shortly before their birthday in 2021.

There are approximately 147,000 drivers age 75 and over with expired or expiring driver’s licenses in 2020. Letters are being sent to drivers that qualify for this extension. The letter should be kept with the qualifying driver as further proof of the one-year extension. In addition, driving records on the secretary of state’s computer system have been updated to show the new 2021 expiration dates for qualified drivers, and law enforcement agencies both state and nationwide have been notified of the extended expiration dates.

In addition to being 75 or older, the driver must have a valid license. Drivers whose licenses are suspended or revoked do not qualify for the one-year extension. All other drivers whose licenses have expired since the beginning of the pandemic have been extended until Nov. 1, 2020.

For those customers who must visit a facility, face masks are required. In addition, these customers are asked to be patient due to heavy volume and to be prepared to wait outside in various types of weather. This is due to social distancing, which limits the number of people inside a facility at one time.

Illinois law gives the Illinois secretary of state the authority to extend driver’s license expiration dates. For more information, visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

FRANKFORT– In response to Exelon’s decision that it is closing two nuclear power plants, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort), who chairs the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, released the following statement:

CHICAGO– State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, is holding a hearing focused on transparency in project selection at the Illinois Department of Transportation and equity in transportation and infrastructure projects. 

“We need to have an open and honest dialogue on transparency and equity as it relates to the process in which projects are prioritized and selected to receive funding,” Villivalam said. “Additionally, I think it’s important to have a project selection process that is transparent and facilitates productive communication between IDOT and those they contract with. Prioritizing transparency and equity would ensure public trust in the state’s transportation and infrastructure efforts as well as shed light on questions such as why a project that has been set to receive funding but has not yet been completed is taking so long to complete or what it will take to complete it.”

This is the second committee hearing of the General Assembly to be held virtually.

What:    Subject matter hearing and testimony regarding transparency and diversity as it relates to project selection and contracting with the Illinois Department of Transportation

               When: 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020 

               Where: Conducted remotely via Zoom and broadcast live on www.ilga.gov or on Blue Room Stream at https://livestream.com/blueroomstream/events/9270490 which is a subscription-based service. 

               Who:         The Senate Transportation Committee will hear testimony from:

• Illinois Department of Transportation
• Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association 
• American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
• American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois
• Operating Engineers 150
• Chicago Laborers’ District Council
• Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago 
• Transportation Equity Network 

Additional witnesses can submit written testimony online at www.ilga.gov. 

DEERFIELD — In response to a recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that found half of Illinois high school students reported using an electronic tobacco product last year, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement:

“Vaping and e-cigarette-related deaths and illnesses have become a nationwide outbreak that no user is immune to — no matter how young they are.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — In efforts to protect Illinois’ most vulnerable population and spare them a trip to the driver services facility, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) is alerting drivers age 75 and older that their driver’s license expiration dates have been extended by one year.

“Extending the expiration date for older drivers will help our most at-risk population avoid or delay a visit to the driver services facility during this pandemic,” Gillespie said. “This will give these Illinoisans the opportunity to plan a visit when they are comfortable and safe without being penalized.”

In addition to being 75 years of age or older, the driver must have a valid license—drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked do not qualify for the one-year extension. Drivers who are eligible should receive a letter from the secretary of state as proof of their qualification.

For drivers under age 75, expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and license plate stickers have been extended until Nov. 1, 2020. Customers who choose to visit a facility need wear a face mask. Additionally, customers are asked to be patient due to heavy volume and should be prepared to wait outside in various types of weather.

Gillespie encourages drivers to visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com to avoid waiting in line and take advantage of online services, including replacements and renewals of registrations, driver’s licenses and ID cards.

To find the closest driver services facility near you, visit cyberdriveillinois.com, click on the facility finder, and enter your ZIP code in the search bar.