CHICAGO – State Senator Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) wants to remind residents that expiration dates for driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations and document filings will be extended at least 30 days after Driver Services facilities reopen.
“It’s important to take as many steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 as we can,” Martwick said. “The secretary of state’s office is taking great steps to protect the public and its employees.”
Secretary of State Jesse White has closed all Driver Services facilities statewide through April 30 and extended all registrations, licenses, and ID renewals during the closure period. After the facilities open, people whose documents have expired during the closure period will be able to renew them with no penalty. All expired documents will be extended for at least 30 days after facilities reopen.
It’s no longer “business as usual”—the coronavirus has disrupted many of our jobs, social lives and daily routines. For the sake of the health and safety of everyone in our communities, we must continue to follow the advice of our public health experts and do our part to help contain the virus.
Gov. Pritzker issued a ‘stay at home’ order for the State of Illinois beginning, March 21 at 5 p.m. until April 7.
The executive order requires Illinoisans to practice a more rigorous form of social distancing, staying home as much as possible aside from meeting their basic needs. The order permits a range of essential activities, including but not limited to:
For health and safety: seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or medication or visiting a health care professional
For necessary supplies and services: obtaining groceries and food, household consumer products, supplies they need to work from home, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences
For outdoor activity: walking, hiking, running or biking – including going to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas, except for playgrounds
For certain types of work: Providing essential products and services at Essential Businesses or Operations or otherwise carrying out activities specifically permitted in the order, including Minimum Basic Operations
To take care of others: Caring for or transporting a family member, friend or pet in another household
While certainly an inconvenience, and a detriment to our economy, this measure could spare the lives of thousands of Illinoisans and is absolutely critical to the survival and stability of our hospitals.
More information on Governor Pritzkter’s shelter in place order can be foundhere. For a list of frequently asked questions, click here.
Please know despite rumors circulating online, Gov. Pritzker has emphasized that essential businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations will never close.
State agencies and local organizations are working tirelessly to make sure those affected by business and school closures are provided with help, support and relief. For more information on what assistance is offered, keep reading.
Economic Assistance
The Illinois Department of Employment Security is allowing workers who are unemployed due to COVID-19 to apply for unemployment.
Sheriffs in Cook, Will and Lake Counties have suspended enforcing evictions for at least 30 days. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued a moratorium on evictions of single-family homes with federally insured mortgages for the next 60 days. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are also offering mortgage assistance.
The Small Business Administration is providing disaster assistance loans for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
Resources for Students
The Illinois State Board of Education is working to provide meals every day to all students, no questions asked. Grab-and-go meals are available statewide for students who need them, and some schools are even offering delivery. Contact your child’s school district for more information. For more updates and resouces, click here.
Updates for Restaurants & Businesses
Despite school and restaurant closures, Gov. Pritzker assures that essential services—including pharmacies, grocery stores and gas stations—will remain open. It’s a good idea to be prepared, but only buy what you really need. Hoarding supplies prevents others from accessing the basics. Experts recommend keeping on hand about what you need for two weeks at a time.
All bars and restaurants are closed through April 7. Restaurants will have take-out, drive-thru and delivery options still available.
Many grocery stores are offering special shopping hours for seniors.Residents can contact local stores for their specific hours.
To provide some relief to local eateries during the coming weeks, Grubhub is suspending commissions and Uber Eats is waiving delivery fees on orders from independent restaurants. Some larger restaurants are offering free delivery. Many delivery services have introduced no- or low-contact delivery options.
Utilities Support
Ameren and ComEd are suspending any disconnections and waiving late payment fees. Other major utility companies, like People’s Gas and Nicor, are suspending disconnections as well.
The Illinois Commerce Commission has banned utility service disconnections during the outbreak and has pledged to assess late fees through at least May 1. AT&T, Comcast, Spectrum, Viasat and others are offering accommodations to those in need of telecom services during the crisis.
State Services
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation hasextended license expiration dates and continuing education deadlines.Licensees may complete continuing education requirements and other coursework online.
The Office of the Illinois Attorney General encourages residents to file a complaint if they notice price gouging on essential items related to the coronavirus outbreak, including hand sanitizer, cleaning products and protective gear.
All Illinois Secretary of State offices and Driver Services facilities are closed to the public through March 31. Expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards, vehicle registration and other transactions will be extended by 30 days. More information and some services are available online.
All emergency food relief (SNAP), cash assistance (TANF) and medical (Medicaid eligibility) applications will continue to be availableonlineor by phone at 800-843-6154. Home Services & Vocational Rehab resources will remain available through DRS’ statewide network of counselors who will continue working remotely.
For the most up-to-date information, please continue to check the governor's coronavirus response website found here.
We will continue to send periodic updates. Rest assured that together, we will get through this trying time.
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Illinois Senate cancels this week's session days to "do its part" to slow speed of coronavirus
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Senate President Don Harmon announced Wednesday the cancellation of this week’s Senate session days as part of a public health initiative to limit exposure and hopefully slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Read President Harmon's statement here.
Senators Martwick, Villivalam host Facebook Live with public health experts
SPRINGFIELD — State Senators Robert Martwick and Ram Villivalam held a Facebook Live Thursday night alongside public health experts. Susan Reisberg, a Nursing Supervisor at Skokie Health Department and Evonda Thomas-Smith, Assistant Director at Illinois Department of Public Health, joined the senators to field questions from viewers submitted online. The event reached over 12,000 people.
You can watch the full the video by clicking here.
Turn to the CDC and IDPH for coronavirus updates
SPRINGFIELD — The coronavirus is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated on the IDPH website found here and and on the CDC website found here.
For general questions about COVID-19 and Illinois’ response and guidance, call 1-800-889-3931 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Martwick introduces policy to support first responder mental health data
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is taking steps to facilitate and assist the mental health needs of emergency first responders under legislation sponsored by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago).
Martwick introduced Senate Bill 3333, which requires the Department of Human Services to create and maintain an online database and resource page of mental resources geared toward first responders on its website.
Read more.
Hastings unveils plan to expand sick leave for airline employees
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) partnered with Southwest Airlines employees to hold a press conference advocating for the expansion of sick leave for airline employees Wednesday.
“The fact that hardworking individuals are unable to use their earned sick time to care for their loved ones is unacceptable,” Hastings said. “Since this is an issue with federal law, we’re doing what we can at the state level to demonstrate that in Illinois, we put workers and their families first.”
Hayli's lemonade law passes Public Health Committee
SPRINGFIELD – As the heat of summer approaches, some kids are working to make a little bit of cash mowing lawns, babysitting or establishing a lemonade stand outside their home.
Hayli Martinez, an 11-year-old girl from Kankakee, had the perfect idea last summer to sell lemonade with different flavors in order to earn money for her college funds.
However, after much success, her lemonade stand was flagged by Kankakee Health Department officials and it was shut down soon after.
To prevent other kids from losing their lemonade stands, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) introduced Hayli’s Law.
Lightford and United Way launch report on Illinois ALICE families
SPRINGFIELD – Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined the United Way in releasing their report on Illinois ALICE households – asset-limited, income-constrained and employed.
The report focuses on families living above the federal poverty level, but below the threshold of a basic survival budget of $57,144 for a family of four and $19,212 for a single adult.
“People all over Illinois are struggling to get ahead. We know this intuitively, and we see it in our communities. I see it every day in my west side and west suburban district,” Lightford said. “ALICE allows us to put some real data behind that intuition.”
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Martwick introduced Senate Bill 3333 which requires the Department of Human Services to create and maintain an online database and resource page of mental resources geared toward first responders on its website.
“First responders face many dangers every day,” Martwick said. “It is our responsibility as lawmakers to make sure they get the help the need to perform to the best of their ability and we should be prepared every step of the way.”
CHICAGO – Six school districts will receive more than $6,000 in grants through the Illinois Secretary of State’s School Library Grant program, Senator Rob Martwick announced today.
“Our school libraries have a phenomenal impact on our student’s academic achievements,” said Martwick. “This grant program will allow our libraries to help train our children to compete for jobs in a global economy.”
The grants, which are issued by the Illinois State Library, allow public schools to improve technology by purchasing new computers or improving Wi-Fi connectivity, acquire books, educational CDs and DVDs, and library subscriptions to electronic resources.
“Today’s students not only need to be good readers, but also be able to evaluate and use information to develop cognitive skills,” said Martwick. “Our schools have amazing librarians who are helping educate the minds of the next generation. This grant will help aid them in continuing their mission and training the future leaders of our great state.”
Information about the grant program can be found at: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/grants/schoolpercapgrant.html.
Schools receiving school library grants include:
2019 was a busy year in Springfield for the Illinois Senate. Check out some of the year's highlights, in this edition of the Senate Showcase.
State Senator Robert Martwick was recently appointed to the Illinois Senate, replacing State Senator John Mulroe. In this edition of the Senate Showcase, get to know State Senator Robert Martwick.
State Rep. Robert Martwick will fill the Illinois Senate seat in the 10th District that became vacant when former State Senator John G. Mulroe accepted an appointment as Cook County judge earlier this month.
A member of the Illinois House of Representatives since 2013, Martwick (D-Chicago) has served as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney focusing on domestic violence, child support enforcement, and criminal prosecution. He’s also served as a trustee on the Norwood Park Township and Village of Norridge boards.