EAST ST. LOUIS – Local businesses in Madison and St. Clair Counties were awarded more than $650,000 in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to advocacy and support from State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).

“Business owners are still in recovery mode as we move forward from the pandemic,” Belt said. “This funding has been essential for the small businesses in the Metro East that have fought to keep their doors open.”

The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

SPRINGFIELD—After months of meetings between business, labor, lawmakers and other stakeholders, the Unemployment Insurance working group presented legislation from Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) that makes unmatched investments in paying down overdue bills, to the tune of $4.1 billion. The Senate passed that measure Thursday.

“I’m proud of this unprecedented change to catch up on some outstanding debts to continue improving our state’s credit standing,” Holmes said. “Allotting $2.7 billion to the Unemployment Trust Fund, as well as substantial earmarks for group health insurance bills, the College Illinois Program and extra pension payments, is a big step to boost our fiscal standing. It also provides a sense of security for Illinois residents, including current and retired state workers and their families.”

SPRINGFIELD – Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine – and an increase of overdoses of the drug is plaguing every corner of our state. Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus outlined their plan to combat the overdose crisis during a press conference Thursday.

The increase in the number of fatalities is attributed to the rise of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl.

Since 2013, synthetic opioid deaths in Illinois have increased 2,736% — and many of those who have overdosed did not know they were taking opioids or that their drugs were laced with fentanyl.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) advanced legislation through the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee Thursday that would require public water supply operators to notify all health care facilities served by the public water supply of a water disruption event.

“The loss of clean water can have a huge impact on hospitals and other health care facilities,” Loughran Cappel said. “Since Legionnaire’s disease can thrive in water pipes, it’s important we do all we can ensure the bacteria that causes it does not grow and spread in these facilities.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) to create the Real Estate Valuation Task Force to combat discrimination in the housing industry passed an important hurdle Wednesday.

“Discrimination in the housing industry goes back decades, and it has yet to be rectified today,” Hunter said. “Black and Brown people won’t have a fair chance at renting and home ownership until discrimination is addressed on a systemic level.”

The Real Estate Valuation Task Force is a response to an unresolved history of federal housing agencies, including the Federal Home Owners' Loan Corporation and the Federal Housing Administration discriminating against Black and Brown people when underwriting real estate loans.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans across the state are struggling to make ends meet, including university students. To help students find assistance programs, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a measure to require universities to designate a Benefits Navigator.

“There are so many assistance programs available that are underutilized,” Pacione-Zayas said. “Ensuring students are aware of their options to get support is important, especially for individuals struggling to make ends meet while in college.”

House Bill 4201 requires the each public university and community college in Illinois to designate a Benefits Navigator to assist students in identifying and applying for benefit programs and campus-wide and community assistance programs.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) supported legislation that would direct state money to cover several outstanding debts in order to improve the Illinois’s credit.

“The state has been on a trajectory toward better credit ratings, and I believe this initiative will only continue that trajectory,” Hunter said. “This initiative lessens the state’s debt and upholds our commitment to families and state employees.”

In total, Senate Bill 2803 allocates $2.7 billion to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, with $898 million to pay off old group health insurance bills, $230 million to pay off the College Illinois program, and $300 million in extra pension payments.

MARYVILLE – With strong support from State Senator Rachelle Aug Crowe (D-Glen Carbon), Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville is slated to receive funding for the Certified Recovery Support Specialist Success program to create behavioral and mental health education opportunities for students.

“Our state’s behavioral health industry relies on skilled, dependable workers,” Crowe said. “By creating education opportunities for mental health professionals at SIUE and throughout the state, Illinois is working to provide better quality care for individuals in recovery, give students hands-on experience and strengthen the workforce.”