GRANITE CITY – In an effort to help teachers adapt to a school year that will rely heavily on e-learning, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) coordinated with officials at Granite City Community Unit School District #9 to ensure 3,000 Chromebooks were ready for students to begin class next week.

“Spending the day unboxing Chromebooks is not how I think anybody expected to be spending their time leading up to school this year, but teachers have stepped up to the task of teaching students while also keeping them and their community safe,” Crowe said.

CHICAGO – Mercy Hospital announced plans to close by May 2021 last month, and State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is advocating against it, saying Mercy should remain open.

“This decision could devastate our community, which is already struggling in the middle of this global pandemic,” Hunter said. “Mercy owners requested hundreds of millions of dollars just to close it down, and turn it into a clinic. But we don’t need a clinic, we need a hospital, which has the resources necessary to save lives in times of urgency and in times of severe illness.”

DES PLAINES – Local food pantries will be able to offer fresh, Illinois-grown sweet corn to families in need, thanks to a donation from State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) and the Mercer County Farm Bureau.

Murphy hosted a giveaway Monday, where a truck bed full of sweet corn was distributed to local food pantries and other community organizations serving families in the 28^th District.

“Especially during tough economic times, it can be challenging for families to afford the fresh, nutritious produce Illinois farmers offer,” said Murphy. “I’m grateful to the Mercer County Farm Bureau for making sure every member of our community can enjoy delicious, locally grown sweet corn.”

CHICAGO – In an effort to ensure every community has a complete Census count, State Senator Emil Jones (D-Chicago) urges households in the Village of Riverdale and Robbins to fill out the 2020 Census.

“Every city and village need to understand the Census results will affect their everyday resources,” Jones said. “This means our hospitals, schools, and various other agencies could receive less funding if the population count is not accurate. Completing the Census is simple, so everyone should fill it out as soon as possible.”

Currently, the Village of Riverdale has a response rate of 48.4% and Village of Robbins has response rate of 50.9%. These rates are below the target levels. In 2020, Riverdale had a response rate of 55% and Robbins had a response rate of 59.2%. 

“People of color have been systematically undercounted due to a number of access-related issues,” Jones said. “We must make sure our history does not repeat itself in this 2020 Census because our minority communities have the most to lose.”  

Residents can complete the census for their household at https://my2020census.gov.