SPRINGFIELD – On Tuesday, Nov. 24, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) convened the Illinois State Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee to discuss the handling of the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, which has already claimed 27 lives. 

“What’s been happening at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home is a tragedy,” Cullerton said. “I called this hearing to get clear answers about what happened and what’s being done to fix it. Transparency is the key to ensuring our veterans are receiving the care they deserve.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is convening the Illinois State Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee to examine the handling of the COVID-19 spread at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m.

“This hearing will help answer questions and give the residents, their families and Senate committee members greater insight into the safety protocols used by the LaSalle Veterans’ Home staff to keep our veterans healthy and safe,” Cullerton said. “We hope to work together to ensure our veterans receive the best care possible.”

More than 150 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. The LaSalle facility can provide care for up to 184 veterans, according to the agency’s website, and the facility currently has 121 residents and 230 active employees.

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is encouraging local fire departments to take advantage of the state’s Small Equipment Grant program.

The program provides $3.3 million in funding across the state for firefighting personal protection equipment, infection control items and other small equipment. Organizations can be awarded up to $26,000.

“The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a reminder that our first responders and firefighters continuously put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe and healthy,” Cullerton said. “This grant program serves as a resource to assist in ensuring they have the vital tools and resources to do their jobs effectively.”

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is pleased to announce businesses in the 23^rd State Senate District will receive more than $400,000 in financial assistance from the Business Interruption Grant program to help offset financial losses stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and he is encouraging more to apply.

“Our local businesses are the foundation of our communities,” Cullerton said. “These funds will help our small businesses keep their doors open and employees and customers safe during this awful pandemic.”

Each business received between $5,000 and $150,000 to be used to help cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic.

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is reminding DuPage County residents to take advantage of free college planning resources during College Changes Everything Month.

October is College Changes Everything Month, a time to encourage Illinoisans to take full advantage of the free financial aid and postsecondary planning resources available in their communities.

“Many families across DuPage County are facing financial hardship during this awful pandemic,” Cullerton said. “This is a quick reminder to let parents, guardians and students know there is need-based financial assistance available to prevent students from placing their postsecondary plans on hold due to financial limitations.”

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is offering free, virtual workshops to help parents, guardians and students complete the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.

The next two webinars are on Monday, Oct. 26 and Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m.

ISAC requires participants to register for workshops. For more information, Cullerton urges residents to visit https://studentportal.isac.org to learn more about resources, tools and programs to ensure qualified students take advantage of college savings programs.

The agency also offers individualized help by offering one-on-one assistance via phone, email, text or videoconference with ISACorps, ISAC’s group of recent college graduates whose intensive training prepares them to assist students with planning, applying and paying for college. Residents can search by ZIP code at http://studentportal.isac.org/isacorps to find your local Corps members.

For assistance via text and to receive important information about college planning events and deadlines, students can sign up for ISAC College Q&A by texting their first and last name to (630) 216-4910.

“Every student deserves the chance to pursue higher education,” Cullerton said. “Our goal is to open doors for students and help ensure they are graduating college with mountains of opportunities, not burdensome college debt.”

For more information, residents can visit www.isac.org or call Cullerton’s office at (630) 903-6662 for assistance.

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) wants to make sure DuPage County are aware that expiration dates for Illinois driver’s licenses and IDs have been extended until Feb. 1, 2021. All expired driver’s licenses and IDs will remain valid until then.

“Extending these important deadlines will provide relief to many and help reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Cullerton said. “We all must work together to keep our communities healthy. This smart step will help prevent long lines and overcrowding at our local driver services offices.”

The secretary of state’s office has repeatedly pushed back the deadline to renew expiring licenses since the pandemic began. The newly extended deadline will also cover driver’s licenses and ID cards set to expire in October, November, December and January.

Older adults age 75 and over have also had their driver’s license expiration dates extended by one year. The new expiration date is the motorist’s birthday in 2021.

However, expiring license plate stickers will not be valid past the current Nov. 1 deadline, as they can easily be renewed online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com. Other common services, such as requesting a replacement or duplicate driver’s license or ID, are also available on the website.

“The secretary of state’s office as worked diligently to allow residents to renew and request services online,” Cullerton said.  “This is a smart move to help reduce long lines and cut down on overcrowding at our local offices for residents who have no choice but to go in.”

Illinois residents who must visit a driver services facility should be aware that they will be required to wear masks. They may also have to wait outside for an extended period of time to maintain social distancing and should take the weather into account when planning a visit.

For more information, visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

VILLA PARK – The Illinois Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for seasonal snow-and-ice removal positions, and State Senator Tom Cullerton is urging qualified DuPage County residents to apply.

“We rely on our snowplow drivers to keep our roads safe during the winter season,” Cullerton said. “This is a great opportunity for those struggling to find employment during this awful pandemic.”

Through the department’s annual “snowbird” program, temporary snowplow drivers are hired every year on a full-time and on-call basis. To be considered, applicants must have a commercial driver’s license. A pre-employment physical, vision test, and drug and alcohol screening are also required.

Applicants will be selected based on availability, job-related experience and qualifications. Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

For additional information, including positions and the application process in specific districts, details on pay and the potential for benefits, please click here.

VILLA PARK — To prevent unnecessary danger to seniors in Illinois, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is alerting drivers age 75 and older that their driver’s license expiration dates have been extended by one year.

“The one-year extension for our seniors will help delay a visit to the DMV during this awful pandemic,” Cullerton said. “This move will help at-risk DuPage County residents keep their driving privileges and proof of identity without putting their health and safety at risk.”  

In addition to being 75 years of age or older, the driver must have a valid driver's license. Those seniors whose licenses have been suspended or revoked do not qualify for the one-year extension. Eligible drivers should soon receive a letter from the secretary of state as proof that they qualify.

For drivers under age 75, expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and license plate stickers have been extended until Nov. 1, 2020. Customers who choose to visit a facility must wear a face mask. In addition, customers are asked to be patient due to heavy volume and to be prepared to wait outside in various types of weather.

“There is not an immediate need for this vulnerable population to put themselves at risk,” Cullerton said. “I urge our older populations to take advantage of this extension and stay safe."

Cullerton continues to encourage drivers to visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com to avoid waiting in line and take advantage of online services, including replacements and renewals of registrations, driver’s licenses and ID cards.