CHICAGO – State Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) joined Alderman Patrick Daley Thompson, South Branch Park Advisory Council and Greater Bridgeport Mutual Aid Saturday for a free personal protective equipment giveaway in the 11th Ward.
“It’s been proven how effective masks are at reducing the spread of COVID-19,” Munoz said. “It’s critical that we ensure every person has access to the protective equipment they need to keep themselves safe during this pandemic.”
Area residents came to Eleanor Boathouse in Park 571 to receive free reusable masks, hand sanitizer, and hot dogs.
Munoz donated 250 reusable masks for the event.
Under Gov. JB Pritzker’s Stay at Home Order, face coverings are required for anyone over the age of 2 in public spaces where social distancing is not possible.
CHICAGO – State Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is encouraging students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to seek financial aid adjustments if needed and take advantage of free financial aid consultation from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
“This pandemic has had a significant impact on college students throughout the state, and many of them may now be facing questions about how they can afford to continue their education,” Munoz said. “It’s critical that we provide them with resources to guide them through the process of adjusting their financial aid.”
As students prepare to return to colleges and universities in the fall, many of them are facing new financial challenges due to the pandemic. Students and their families can seek an adjustment to their financial aid offers based on their new financial situation. Students in need of additional aid should contact the financial aid offices at their colleges and universities. ISAC is available to help guide them through the process.
ISAC also provides free assistance to these students as they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the recently launched Alternative Application for Illinois Financial aid, which provides financial aid to undocumented and transgender students.
These resources can be accessed both online and through the ISAC College Q&A program, a free text resources for students seeking answers to financial aid questions. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish.
“Every student’s situation is different, and these resources allow them to work with ISAC to ensure they receive the financial aid package that best suits them,” Munoz said. “I encourage all students and families who have been impacted by the pandemic to take advantage of them.”
For additional information about financial aid and returning to campus during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit https://www.isac.org/covid-19/.
SPRINGFIELD –Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago released the following statement after Governor JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 21 budget, found in Senate Bill 264, providing funding for services that will put Illinois on the road to recovery from the health and economic stresses caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Our immigrant communities were left with little to no support under federal aid packages as the Trump administration chose to ignore their needs. I applaud my colleagues and Governor Pritzker for increasing funding for immigrant welcoming centers and expanding Medicaid to cover undocumented seniors.
“Our small businesses will see support from $600 million in grants dedicated to helping them rebuild, including funds set aside for underserved communities. This budget also provides rent and mortgage assistance, and helps deliver important healthcare services.
“We won’t stop here. Young people continue to protest against inequities in our communities, and we need to answer their call. Latino communities in my district need violence intervention services, protection against environmental racism and more investments in economic development.”
CHICAGO – As thousands protest for justice in the murder of George Floyd, Chicago has seen destruction and violence that is causing division in many communities. Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz released the following statement in response to days of unrest:
“I became a police officer in response to the violence I saw in our neighborhoods when I was growing up. Policing is supposed to be about protecting people and creating a better future for our young people. That’s not what I saw in the images of George Floyd’s murder, and that’s not what I stand for.
“There are people in the neighborhoods I represent who are afraid that they will be attacked or their business will be destroyed by people who are hijacking this moment for personal gain. I won’t stand for that either.
“This is a time to unite and start to heal from decades of mistreatment and neglect. I am committed to working with my colleagues to bring about the changes those fighting for our communities want to see.”
CHICAGO –To help prepare local residents for the new face covering requirement, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) partnered with Joann Fabrics in donating 5,000 masks to local businesses and organizations on Friday.
“My volunteers and I are more than grateful to be able to provide masks to local residents,” Munoz said. “I thank Joann Fabrics for their partnership and work during these trying times.”
Gov. JB Pritzker’s modified stay-at-home order requiring face coverings for anyone over the age of 2 in public spaces where social distancing is difficult went into effect May 1.
SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) joins the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Tollway, Illinois State Police, industry partners and frontline construction workers for National Work Zone Awareness Week to ensure “Safe Work Zones for All.”
“As we approach construction season, drivers who need to travel during the stay-at-home order should be attentive while passing work zones,” Munoz said. “Slowing down when you see orange will help protect our construction workers.”
Throughout Illinois, improving and maintaining infrastructure continues as an essential public service, with special care being taken to protect workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
SPRINGFIELD – Small businesses in need of relief are invited to apply for two new emergency assistance programs, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) announced Thursday.
“My district is home to many small businesses that embody the cultural diversity and pride of our city and state,” Munoz said. “The COVID-19 outbreak has forced many of them to close, and we need to invest in them to preserve the economy and identity of our local neighborhoods.”
To provide assistance to struggling small business owners, Mayor Lori Lightfoot unveiled the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund, a $100 million program that will support low-interest loans of up to $50,000 for small businesses in Chicago.
Businesses with fewer than 50 employees, have gross revenues of less than $3 million in 2019 and have suffered more than a 25% revenue decrease due to COVID-19 will be eligible to apply.
Additionally, Gov. JB Pritzker announced the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program. The program offers $14 million in grants to restaurants, bars, hotels and other hospitality businesses to help them make ends meet during the COVID-19 crisis. It will provide up to $25,000 to eligible bars and restaurants and up to $50,000 for eligible hotels.
Grant funds can be used to compensate employees and pay rent, or to support new practices like expanded pick-up, delivery and sanitation.
“It’s heartbreaking to see a lot of businesses struggling to stay open or unsure if they will be able to reopen,” Munoz said. “I hope these programs can offer enough support to help them survive this unfortunate crisis.”
Applications for the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund will begin to be accepted on March 31, 2020. Businesses interested in applying for a loan should complete this interest form and they will hear from a representative as soon as possible.
The application period for the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program is open now and closes April 1 at 5 p.m. Businesses can find more information on the program here or apply here. A Spanish-language application is available here.
SPRINGFIELD-Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) moved to ensure that the recent changes to Illinois tax structure under its construction funding program that are hitting customers with multiple taxes are repealed with new legislation on Wednesday.
The current tax structure enacted to fund Illinois’ first construction program in a decade removed a previous tax exemption and put in place a tax on any vehicle trade-in above $10,000, meaning consumers to pay a tax when purchasing a vehicle and again when trading in the same vehicle.
“This effort ensures that the cost of purchasing a vehicle in Illinois doesn’t skyrocket and protects consumers from the possibility of paying taxes on their vehicle twice,” Munoz said.
To ensure a more fair way to collect revenue that won’t hit car buyers twice, Senate Bill 2481 increases the private vehicle sales tax by $75 for vehicles valued under $15,000 and $100 for vehicles valued at or above $15,000, the first increase to the tax since 1988. The tax rate on private party transactions would still be lower than the state's 6.25% tax rate that is currently paid by dealership customers.
The legislation was approved in the Senate Revenue Committee and will move on to the full Senate.
ROCKFORD – To prevent more tragic losses of emergency responders and highway workers, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz’s (D-Chicago) legislation that strengthens Scott’s Law and finds a way to end senseless roadway fatalities was signed into law today.
“There is no reason why officers and first responders can’t be safe while addressing an incident on the side of the road,” Munoz said. “It needs to be second nature for drivers to slow down and move over whenever any vehicle is stalled on the side of the road.”
This year, Troopers Christopher Lambert, Brooke Jones-Story and Gerald Ellis were killed in the line of duty when hit by vehicles while their patrol vehicles were stalled on the side of the road. The law was initially passed in memory of Lieutenant Scott Gillen.
Distracted driving and driver safety are issues that always need attention. As more young people drive and technology gets faster, the need to remind people of the perils of distracted driving increases exponentially.
Senate Democrats approached road safety with an even greater sense of urgency following a tragically dangerous year for Illinois State Troopers on the road. In total, 15 state police cruisers were struck while on the side of the road. Three of those accidents resulted in fatalities in what was described as an unprecedented spike in collisions.
State Senator Steve Stadelman passed Senate Bill 86, which clarifies that drivers may not use electronic devices to stream videos while they are driving, including tablets, laptops and video game controllers.
SPRINGFIELD –To prevent more tragic losses of emergency responders and highway workers, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) announced legislation Tuesday that strengthens Scott’s Law and finds a way to end senseless roadway fatalities.
“As a former police officer, I know the life-threatening situations facing law enforcement every day, and I’m proud this legislation will protect and serve our brave men and women in uniform,” Munoz said. “We can’t afford to lose any more lives, so I implore all drivers to slow down and move over when you see first responders on the roads.”
SPRINGFIELD – Individuals wanting to transfer their license plate to a spouse or child could soon do so free of charge under legislation led by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).
“We’re eliminating an extra cost on families who simply want to transfer a license plate to a spouse or child,” Munoz said. “We allow vehicles to be sold to family members at a low cost, and it’s unnecessary to charge more for the gifting of a license plate.”
The fee for transferring a license plate would be waived by the secretary of state after both parties sign a form authorizing the reassignment of the registration.
The legislation was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday, and will move on to the full Senate for consideration.
Wednesday, May 1 was Suits and Sneakers Day at the Capitol. We wear sneakers to help raise awareness and encourage people to educate themselves about cancer prevention, screening and early detection.
Suits and Sneakers Day originated as a campaign of Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society, when basketball coaches nationwide wear sneakers with their suits to raise funds, awareness, and help save lives from cancer.
Learn more about this effort here.
SPRINGFIELD –Appearing on Illinois ballots as presidential and vice-presidential candidates would soon require publicizing tax returns under a proposal led by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).
“Voters have a right to know a presidential candidate’s conflicts of interests,” Munoz said. “They have reasonably expected this disclosure for decades, and if candidates won’t release the information willingly, then we need a law in place that requires it.”
SPRINGFIELD – Children of fallen police officers or firefighters would be eligible to receive specialty license plates under a proposal sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).
“The tragic loss of a parent is unimaginable,” Munoz said. “The children of these brave men and women deserve to be reminded that their parent played an important role in our society, and this is a small gesture that allows them to commemorate their loved one.”
Currently, only the surviving spouse and parents of a fallen police officer or firefighter are eligible for the license plates.
Senate Bill 1894 allows children and step-children of police officers or firefighters who have died in the line of duty to be issued deceased police officer or firefighter license plates. The measure was approved by the Senate on Thursday.
A $15 fee is charged for the first issuance of the license plate in addition to the registration fee. A $2 fee is charged for each registration renewal thereafter.
The proposal is scheduled to move to the House for consideration.
SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is leading legislation in response to an oversight by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that left McKinley Park residents blindsided by the construction of an asphalt plant in their neighborhood.
“The public has every right to know when a facility that may affect their health is moving into their community,” Munoz said. “There is no reason why McKinley Park residents weren’t given ample notice regarding the asphalt plant, and we don’t want to see another community put in the same situation.”
Last year, McKinley Park residents received only a two week notice before construction on an asphalt plant began. Munoz held a town hall in July to discuss the issue with the community resulting in the legislation that was approved in the Senate on Thursday.
Senate Bill 1847 requires the IEPA to provide notice when a permit is required to construct a new facility to the state senator and state representative of the district where the construction is to occur and post the information on its website, searchable by ZIP code.
A permit is required to construct any facility capable of causing or contributing to air and water pollution or designed to prevent air and water pollution. If no action is taken by the IEPA within 90 days of filing the application, the permit is considered issued.
The measure heads to the House for consideration.
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