Aurora, Ill. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) is encouraging women who want to restart their education to apply for the annual Conference of Women Legislators’ Scholarship Awards Program.
COWL is a bipartisan, bicameral, nonprofit organization of women legislators in the Illinois General Assembly and has announced the 2020-2021 Annual Scholarship Awards Program. COWL created the scholarship program as part of its mission to promote economic independence, community service and leadership development.
Read more: Senate Leader Holmes supports scholarships for women returning to education
DEERFIELD — The Illinois State Police announced Thursday new renewal requirements for Firearm Owner Identification cards, which State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) will allow for closer examination of people who have submitted renewal applications.
“The state police now has more time to analyze each renewal application to make sure no one slips through the cracks,” Morrison said. “The order from ISP also empowers them to prioritize the work they know will be most important in preventing gun violence.”
The emergency rule — which took effect upon announcement Thursday — extends the expiration date of FOID cards through the duration of the state’s disaster proclamation and for an additional 12 months following the termination of the disaster.
However, the Illinois State Police will continue to enforce FOID prohibitions.
Morrison has been a steadfast force behind gun control legislation since first joining the Illinois Senate. Most notably, she spearheaded and successfully passed the Red Flag Law, which allows a family member or law enforcement official to alert the court system when an individual with access to a firearm is displaying threatening or unsafe behavior that could lead to injury to themselves or to the general public.
“I applaud ISP’s decision and am confident it will lead to less senseless gun violence down the road,” Morrison said. “There is no doubt that a closer look into who is obtaining these licenses and firearms will be better for all of us.”
CHICAGO – With working families facing food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) is promoting the state’s expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“Thousands of people have been thrown out of work and need to feed their families,” Villanueva said. “We can’t allow the most vulnerable among us to go hungry during this crisis.”
The Illinois Department of Human Services announced that all SNAP recipients and new applicants will receive the maximum benefit beginning this week, impacting over 450,000 households. The increased benefits will be loaded onto Link cards automatically through May, so there is no need to call or re-apply.
Read more: SNAP recipients will receive maximum benefits through May
CHAMPAIGN - To help drivers share the road with farm equipment, Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) urges farmers to use caution when they see a slow moving tractor or other piece of equipment on the road.
While Illinoisans are staying home to slow the spread of coronavirus, farmers are still performing essential work during the 2020 planting season, which means drivers performing essential travel are sharing the road with more farm machinery.
“Spring planting is an especially busy time for farmers and that brings additional risks to agriculture workers,” Senator Bennett said. “We’re seeing reduced vehicular traffic right now from the Stay at Home Order, but farmers and motorists are still expected to slow down and be safe, courteous drivers.”
Read more: Bennett advises drivers and farmers to practice safety during spring planting
GLENVIEW – A new, free-of-charge emotional support text line, Call4Calm, is now available for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced today.
“The COVID-19 outbreak has been an overwhelming time for many Illinoisans, and some feel like they are struggling alone,” said Fine. “I hope Call4Calm shows these people they are not alone— there is help.”
Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division launched the hotline, which connects Illinoisans with the mental health services and other support systems they need.
Read more: Senator Fine urges struggling Illinoisans to reach out to new emotional support text line
PARK FOREST – Because the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Illinois, Governor Pritzker issued an extension of the Stay at Home Order until the end of April. With many people suffering from stress and anxiety due to COVID-19, financial challenges, and social isolation, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) wants to share resources with the community on how to manage their mental health while staying safe.
“Maintaining good mental health is vital during these trying times,” Joyce said. “Please know that you are not alone and there are resources available to help.”
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a Will/Grundy County hotline that also serves Kankakee County at (815)-731-9103 and a textline for support. Text NAMI to 741741 for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.
Read more: Joyce highlights mental health resources during Stay at Home Order
WOOD RIVER – To create more areas for people of all ages to be active outdoors, the city of Alton received a $600,000 state grant to expand Gordon Moore Park in Alton, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) and State Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) announced Wednesday.
“It is always important to get outside and be active in order to live a healthy and substantial lifestyle,” Crowe said. “By funding local projects to build safe, public spaces for activities, we’re not only helping residents live that lifestyle, we’re also attracting economic growth and other tourism to the Riverbend region.”
"The release of this grant money will give the Riverbend Region a boost after months of economic uncertainty and strain," Bristow said. "After this project is completed, sports teams from around the region and state will be able to come and see the best Alton has to offer."
Grant funds will be used toward the excavation and site prep of two fields as well as a drainage system. Construction work will include grading the field surface and removing vegetation.
The grant is funded by the state’s Build Illinois Bonds.
“The decision by the governor to extend the Illinois state tax filing deadline is incredibly prudent,” Koehler said. “This will provide relief to workers who find themselves in uncharted territory as it pertains to their employment status and income. We have plenty of folks who are worried about where their next paycheck may be coming from. The last thing that needs to be on their mind at this moment is how they’re going to be paying their tax bill.”
Over the course of the past several weeks Koehler has diligently worked to share vital information with constituents to help ease the burden that our communities are facing due to the coronavirus outbreak.
He encourages those with further questions to either contact his office via email at
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