ELGIN – With all regions of Illinois entering Phase 3 of the governor’s Restore Illinois plan Friday, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is encouraging residents to support area bars and restaurants by dining locally.

“Like many of us, our favorite local bars and restaurants have been struggling in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic,” Castro said. “With outdoor dining now available, it’s even easier to show your support and help these community businesses keep their doors open, lights on and staff paid.”

DOLTON – The COVID-19 testing facility in Markham will be moved to South Suburban College in South Holland, State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Dolton) announced Friday.

“It’s imperative that we keep testing available for the communities of the South Suburbs,” Harris said. “I am happy these COVID-19 testing services will continue be available and accessible to the residents who need it the most.”

The final day of testing at the Markham Community Based Testing Site will be May 30, and the South Suburban College site in South Holland and will start testing patients June 1. Testing at the South Suburban College testing site will also be free.

Vehicle emissions testing will resume at the Markham location June 1.

All individuals with symptoms, as well as front line workers and those with compromised immune systems or other chronic medical conditions, are encouraged to seek testing at the South Suburban College testing site, located at 15800 State St. in South Holland. Testing services will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or until daily supplies last.

PLAINFIELD — As many small businesses across the state worry about the financial hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced new funding for small business development centers to help businesses get through this difficult time.

 “Small businesses make up a majority of our state’s private workforce, so investing in these companies is an investment in Illinoisans,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Additional funds for small business development centers will help guide these important parts of our community through this difficult time.”

SPRINGFIELD – With Gov. Pritzker’s signature, Illinois Medicaid recipients would be eligible for life-saving clinical trials to treat cancer and other serious diseases.

“We know that African-Americans are significantly underrepresented among those who participate in clinical trials, meaning we lose out on life-saving opportunities and unanswered questions then remain on the effectiveness of these medications for blacks,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago). “Because Medicaid recipients are much more diverse, this measure will help reduce that disparity for black patients and for low-income white residents, while advancing the overall fight against cancer.”