PLAINFIELD — As a result of our current situation, some people are forced to stay in dangerous situations because they have nowhere else to go.

State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) is reminding people the importance of reporting suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation of all people — but especially those who may not be able to speak up on their own, including older adults and people with disabilities.

“Victims of abuse can be too afraid to report on their own, or do not have the means to do so,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “It’s up to everyone to be aware of the signs of abuse and keep an eye on neighbors, customers, and our loved ones.”

Alongside the Illinois Department on Aging, Bertino-Tarrant is advocating to protect seniors and adults with disabilities from abuse. The three-year campaign — pegged as Engage2Change — received a $2.1 million grant from the federal Administration for Community Living.

Through the use of television, email marketing and other digital platforms, the campaign will focus on educating people about the signs of abuse and encouraging them to do their part to prevent future problems.

“People who suspect abuse should report it immediately,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “We need to ensure those who need help get it as soon as possible.”

People who are victims of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation — or know someone who is a victim — are encouraged to call the Department on Aging’s 24-hour abuse hotline at 866-800-1409, or visit illinois.gov/aging/engage. Trained professionals are available to take reports of suspected abuse and forward them to local adult protective service agencies.

More than $108 million allocated for COVID education funding

PLAINFIELD — State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) is pleased to learn more than $100 million will go toward bridging the digital divide in schools across the state and protecting the safety of both students and teachers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Every student in the state deserves a quality education and should not be hindered by access to technology,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Technology is a critical tool in learning, and we must invest in it to give students the resources they need to succeed.”

More than $108 million in federal Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funds have been allocated to preK-12 public education and higher education institutions to meet the unique challenges of COVID-19.

A total of $10 million of the funds will support early childhood education programs, while K-12 schools will receive $50 million to close the digital divide, train educators and parents and supply social-emotional supports for students.

In total, school districts will receive $32.5 million to purchase laptops and tablets and $7.5 million to purchase WiFi hotspots and increase internet connectivity for students and their families.

Higher education institutions will receive $49 million, most of which will go directly to public universities and community colleges to help students overcome barriers created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The funds will allow students across the state to have access to essential tools they need to be successful in school,” Bertino-Tarrant, who serves as chair of the Senate’s education committee, said. “We need to support students by closing the digital literacy gap and ensuring equitable technology access for all.”

PLAINFIELD – The federal government is once again accepting applications for the Paycheck Protection Program, and State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) is encouraging business owners to apply for PPP and other forgivable loans through the Small Business Administration.

“Many business owners – especially small, local business owners – are facing financial uncertainty they have never experienced before,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Some are understandably worried about not being able to provide for their families or their employees. Forgivable loans, like the Paycheck Protection Program, will allow them to get back on their feet without losing sleep over how they will pay back the borrowed money.”

To help provide financial support to businesses, the Federal Treasury Department and the U.S. Small Business Administration extended the application period for the Paycheck Protection Program. Businesses can get up to $10 million in relief funding through the first come, first served program. Under the extended deadline, businesses must apply by Aug. 8.

The financial lifeline helps employers keep people on the payroll and pay overhead expenses. If used as intended, the loans don’t have to be repaid.

More than 27,000 Illinois businesses have already taken advantage of the loans – saving an estimated 1.36 million jobs – according to the Small Business Administration.

PPP loans have an interest rate of 1% and can be fully forgiven if they are used for payroll costs, rent, utilities or interest on mortgages.

To find participating lenders, business owners and managers can visit the Small Business Administration’s website, found here. A new Small Business Development Center recently opened at the Joliet Junior College. Businesses that need help applying for the program should visit the center.

PLAINFIELD — To help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the process of applying for state and federal emergency assistance programs, a new Small Business Development Center opened at the Joliet Junior College, Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Plainfield) announced Thursday.

“Businesses across the state have experienced unprecedented financial challenges during the pandemic,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Many hardworking business owners are still learning how to bounce back, and the centers will provide them with the help and support they need.”

Following months of business losses during the public health crisis, seven new Small Business Development Centers were created across the state to support small businesses during the reopening process.

The Joliet-based center, along with all new and existing centers across the state, will be available to help support businesses with applications for the newest relief programs introduced by the state — known as the Business Interruption Grants Program and the Rebuild Distressed Communities programs.

For more information on the Joliet center and others throughout the state, people can click here.

PLAINFIELD — As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to steadily decrease, schools across the state have the green light to reopen this fall, but not without following a set of guidelines, State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) highlighted Tuesday. 

“Teachers, parents and students have done a great job adjusting to a situation they never expected to find themselves in,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “However, nothing compares to the positive impact of in-person learning.”

PLAINFIELD — The state’s education package spearheaded by State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood), which will provide assistance and relief to teachers and schools that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, became law today.

“Teachers and students are dealing with a situation they could have never planned for, so it’s our responsibility to ensure they get the support they need,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Our educators must be equipped with the right tools to give students a quality education — even if they do so from a distance.”

The education package does a number of things to help students and teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes extending educator license renewals for one year, so teachers don’t have to go through the renewal process while working remotely. It also allows for mandatory tests to be taken remotely, so students don’t have to risk getting sick in order to take an exam they need to apply for college.

Additionally, relating to higher education, any grade of “pass,” “credit,” or “satisfactory” during the public health emergency is transferable and will fulfill prerequisite requirements for more advanced courses.

“Students who worked hard on their classes during unprecedented circumstances should not have to sacrifice that work because they didn’t get a typical letter grade,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Allowing students who have completed the coursework to get the credit is a commonsense practice.”

It also modifies income requirements for the state's AIM HIGH education grant program, saying a student’s income when they enter the program will remain their income for the duration of their inclusion in the program.

“Investing in our children is one of the best investments we can make,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “I’m proud to have carried this package through the Senate and onto the governor’s office.”

The education package — found in Senate Bill 1569 — was signed into law June 18 and takes effect immediately.

PLAINFIELD — To provide relief and flexibility to property tax owners, State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) supported a new law that will defer tax sales and give counties the ability to extend homestead exemptions and waive late fees.

“Property taxes can often be a financial burden, but that burden has risen for many because of the public health crisis,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “This new law will provide some relief to our residents.” 

Under this legislation, local businesses and residents would see property tax relief in the form of:

• Empowering county governments to approve 2020 homestead exemptions for those with disabilities, veterans with disabilities and senior citizens, as long as the property had been granted this exemption for 2019;

• Allowing counties with less than 3 million residents to waive interest penalties and fees for late property tax payments due in 2020;

• Deferring property tax sales.

County assessment officers can still conduct audits of taxpayers claiming an exemption in order to verify the applicant is eligible to receive the senior citizen’s assessment freeze through the homestead exemption.

The measure — found in Senate Bill 685 — also defers tax sales and gives the county the authority to waive property tax interest penalties.

The measure was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker Friday and took immediate effect.