SCHAUMBURG – To help local business owners navigate state and federal financial assistance programs during the COVID-19 crisis, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-8^th) co-hosted a virtual meeting with the Schaumburg Business Association on Monday, April 27.

The conversation focused on economic issues facing the small business community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and featured presentations from financial experts, followed by a Q&A.

“Small businesses strengthen our local economies and make our communities unique. We must do everything we can to help them survive this challenging period,” said Murphy. “I hope business owners came away from this meeting with the knowledge they need to find help.”

SBA to resume taking applications Monday

WOOD RIVER – State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is encouraging self-employed and small business owners to call their banks immediately to start the process for the Paycheck Protection Program.

“Small businesses fuel the Metro East economy, providing numerous unique opportunities and countless jobs to qualified residents,” Crowe said. “People who are self-employed, own a small business or employed by one are taking the biggest financial hit from the pandemic, and hopefully this program can provide some much needed relief.”

SBA will accept applications from approved lenders on behalf of eligible businesses starting at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 27. Crowe is urging qualified businesses to not wait to apply.

Qualified businesses in one or more of these categories include:

• •      Self-employed,
• •      Less than 500 employees,
• •      Sole proprietor,
• •      Independent contractor,
• •      Private non-profit 501(C)(19), and/or
• •      Veterans organization.

The loan is meant to keep workers of small businesses on the payroll and it will be forgiven if employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities.

For more information, visit SBA’s website.

CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) has worked closely with members of the communities he represents to support people in need during the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To date, his office has provided and participated in:

• Calls to more than 100,000 constituents to offer assistance and to answer questions
  
  
• Regular newsletter updates, FAQs, and resource guides with the latest information
  
  
• Wellness check calls made to 6,139 seniors, speaking with 855 of them to connect them to vital federal, state, and local services
  
  
• Assisting on 122 COVID-19 related constituent cases, having resolved 64 of them
  
  
• 59 food pantry/grocery deliveries
  
  
• Creation of a GoFundMe that raised approximately $15,000 in support of local food pantries
  
  
• Coordination of constituent services with other governmental offices and
  
  
• Several online presentations and briefings with fellow local lawmakers and community leaders, including town halls on resources for small businesses, first responders, and schools. 

“People need the support of their elected officials more than ever during this unsettling time,” Villivalam said. “I encourage anyone in the 8^th District who needs help and/or has suggestions on how we can help to reach out to my office.” 

To contact Villivalam and his staff, call (872) 208-5188 or visit his website, www.senatorram.com, to send an email.

CHAMPAIGN — In an effort to raise awareness of online safety during Child Abuse Prevention Month, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is offering tips on how parents can guide their children on making safe choices while using the internet.

“The internet has become a vital tool during this pandemic,” Bennett said. “While screen time is on the rise, this is a great time to talk with your kids about digital dangers.”

In addition to the economic and social stressors and uncertainty, parents are now faced with added challenges in keeping children safe online. While it is important to talk to children of all ages about online safety, the Crimes Against Children Research Center has found that teenagers are most vulnerable to online predators.

Common tips to teach children about online safety include being cautious about who to send personal information to, being careful about what they post to social media and reminding them that not everyone online is who they claim to be.

“It’s extremely important to ensure children’s online activities are safely monitored right now,” Bennett said. I highly encourage anyone with children to take a moment to set some guidelines.”

For more tips and information, please visit the Crimes Against Children Research Center at http://unh.edu/ccrc/internet-crimes/safety_ed.html.

GRAYSLAKE — In an effort to help people struggling to pay their student loans during the unprecedented economic challenges facing the state and country, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) highlighted relief options that could benefit nearly 140,000 Illinoisans. 

“If you are struggling with student loan debt, please contact your loan providers immediately to discuss a repayment plan that incorporates expanded relief options during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Bush. “Illinoisans should not have to worry about how they will repay their student loans during a national crisis.”

Under the initiative, spearheaded by Gov. JB Pritzker and Secretary Deborah Hagan of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, people with commercially-owned Federal Family Education Program Loans or privately held student loans who are having a hard time making their payments due to COVID-19 will be eligible for expanded relief. 

Borrowers who need assistance are asked to immediately contact their student loan provider to set up a plan. 

Relief options are based on a person’s individual needs and include:

• Providing a minimum of 90 days of forbearance,
• Waiving late payment fees,
• Ensuring that no borrower is subject to negative credit reporting,
• Ceasing debt collection lawsuits for 90 days,
• Working with borrower to enroll them in other borrower assistance programs, such as income-based repayment.

If a person is having problems contacting their student loan servicer, they can contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Banking at 217-785-2900 or the attorney general’s student loan helpline at 1-800-455-2456. If Illinois residents have difficulty contacting state agencies at those numbers, they are encouraged to reach out to their state senator’s office. 

Senator Bush’s District Office is serving constituents remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, so please call (847) 548-5631 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.

PARK FOREST – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many companies are using their manufacturing capabilities to make disinfectant products to distribute to frontline heroes. A local example is Essations Inc., a hair and skin care product company located in Park Forest  that turned its production lines to hand sanitizer.

However, Essations Inc. found itself with a dwindling supply of alcohol  – the most important ingredient in hand sanitizer. Stephanie Luster, the company’s president and director of Education, contacted State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) for help. Sen. Joyce quickly reached out to multiple state agencies, including the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

“Stephanie Luster and Essations are taking exactly the initiative we need right now,” Joyce said. “I was eager to help her small business continue operations and bring much needed hand sanitizer to the members of our community.”

Sen. Joyce contacted Dept. of Ag. Director Jerry Costello, who called the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center. NCERC Executive Director John Caupert agreed to help find an ethanol biorefinery that could help Essations continue producing hand sanitizer.

“The only way we’ll get through this difficult time is by supporting each other,” Joyce said. “I want to thank all of the companies and individuals who worked together to help connect Essations and Adkins Energy.”

Once Luster confirmed  the volume of ethanol needed and the best method of delivery, Caupert contacted Ray Baker, General Manager of Adkins Energy in Lena, Illinois. Adkins Energy agreed to partner with Essations to ensure hand sanitizer production continued in Park Forest.

“Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello is someone I admire and respect very much, so I was eager to help when he said I would likely be contacted by Illinois State Senator Pat Joyce,” said NCERC Director Caupert. “Senator Joyce, like me, is a farm boy, and farmers rally to assist and support each other. From one farm boy to another, I couldn’t wait to assist Senator Joyce’s constituent, in whatever way I possibly could.”

With the help of a local chapter of the Teamsters Union, who volunteered to make sure the project was a success, the first shipment of ethanol went out on Friday, April 17.

CHICAGO — Nearly 140,000 Illinoisans could benefit from a new effort to help people struggling to pay their student loans. In light of the countless Americans falling behind due to the unprecedented economic hardships faced on both a statewide and national level, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) emphasized the importance of seeking relief.

“Paying student loans is the last thing people should have to worry about during this pandemic,” Van Pelt said. “I urge everyone impacted to contact their loan providers as soon as possible. Borrowers need to be aware of all student loan deferment options available to them.”

Introduced by Gov. JB Pritzker and Secretary Deborah Hagan of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, this initiative will allow people with commercially-owned Federal Family Education Program Loans or privately held student loans who are having a hard time making their payments due to COVID-19 to be eligible for expanded relief.

Borrowers in need of assistance are encouraged to contact their student loan provider immediately to set up a plan.

Relief options are based on a person’s individual needs and include:

• Providing a minimum of 90 days of forbearance,
• Waiving late payment fees,
• Ensuring that no borrower is subject to negative credit reporting,
• Ceasing debt collection lawsuits for 90 days,
• Working with borrower to enroll them in other borrower assistance programs, such as income-based repayment.

Anyone having problems contacting their student loan servicer should call the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Banking at 217-785-2900 or the attorney general’s student loan helpline at 1-800-455-2456.