SPRINGFIELD – Although a record number of people cast their votes by mail in the 2020 General Election, not every registered voter had the privilege to practice their civic duty. Voters with limited manual dexterity or visual impairments – among other disabilities – may not be able to fill out paper ballots by hand, limiting their ability to vote remotely.

To give every person the same opportunity to cast their ballot from the comfort of their home, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is spearheading a measure to provide more accessible remote ballots.

“Voting is a right – regardless of a person’s ability to visit a physical polling location or their ability to write,” Morrison said. “Voters who are disabled should be able to cast their ballots freely, fairly and safely.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) advanced a measure through the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee Thursday to prevent children’s lemonade stands from being shut down for not having a permit.

“This bill is inspired by 12-year-old Hayli Martinez, whose lemonade stand in Kankakee was flagged by local officials and shut down,” Joyce said. “I introduced this legislation last year after hearing Hayli’s story from a concerned constituent. Unfortunately, the bill lost momentum due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we are on track to pass Hayli’s Law this spring.”

WAUKEGAN – The Illinois Department of Public Health will partner with the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center to administer much-needed vaccines to residents in Waukegan and surrounding communities, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) announced today.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has further accentuated health disparities and the need for more accessible and equitable health care,” Johnson said. “The new vaccine site in Waukegan recognizes people who are often overlooked, helping boost their confidence. It will give more people hope for the future that they will be able to live their lives feeling safe from the virus.”

DES PLAINES – The Illinois Department of Public Health will partner with Chicago Behavioral Hospital to administer vaccines to residents in Des Plaines and surrounding communities, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced today.

“Expanding access to the vaccine is especially important in the communities hit hardest by COVID-19, where rates of transmission, hospitalization and death are higher,” Murphy said. “This partnership with Chicago Behavioral Hospital will provide local residents a safe and convenient place to get vaccinated, which I hope will help our community bounce back and prevent further tragedy for the individuals and families who have been impacted by this pandemic.”

The state will provide the Des Plaines site with approximately 300-500 vaccine doses per week, in addition to the allocated doses the state distributes to existing health care partners, like local health departments and pharmacies.

Chicago Behavioral Hospital is one of nine sites in Illinois selected to participate in a pilot program launched by the state to ensure that communities hardest hit by COVID-19 have access to the vaccine.

The state-sponsored site at Chicago Behavioral Hospital will supplement the new Cook County mass vaccination site opening at the former Kmart in Des Plaines to significantly expand access to vaccines in the Northwest Suburbs.

Vaccines will be available to residents by appointment only. For additional information about vaccine availability, including locations and eligibility, visit www.coronavirus.Illinois.gov.

CENTREVILLE – As Illinois’ vaccination efforts continue, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is highlighting a state partnership with Touchette Regional Hospital to ensure equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in St. Clair County.

“My top priority always has been, and will continue to be, the assurance that the underserved communities in the 57^th District have access to this vaccine,” Belt said. “The partnership with Touchette Hospital will not only provide that access, but also the trust needed to reduce residents’ reluctance to receive the vaccine.”

The new partnership between the state and Touchette Regional Hospital will help ensure that underserved communities, which have been the hardest hit by COVID-19 have access to the vaccine. The program also aims to reduce vaccine hesitancy in underserved areas by providing residents the ability to receive vaccines more quickly from trusted providers.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner’s (D-Springfield) district office staff held their first traveling office hour this week – the beginning of a program that Turner intends to make permanent.

“Traveling office hours are a great opportunity to talk with a member of my staff in a town near you about any problems or questions you may have,” Turner said. “It’s my top priority to serve as a resource for all of you to ensure community needs are met.”

Moving forward, traveling office hours are as follows:

First and third Wednesdays of the month:

• 9 a.m.-noon - Macoupin County: Carlinville City Hall Council Chambers, Carlinville City Hall, 550 N. Broad St., Carlinville, IL

Second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, starting March 10:

• 8 a.m.-noon - Montgomery County: Litchfield City Hall, 120 E. Ryder St., Litchfield, IL
• 1 p.m.-4 p.m. - Madison County: Worden Village Hall, 115 W. Wall St., Worden, IL

Second and fourth Friday starting March 12:

• 9 a.m.-noon - Christian County: 115 N. Main St., Taylorville, IL

Masks are required, and social distancing will be observed. More information about the traveling office hours is available via phone at (217) 782-0228 or on Senator Turner’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is sponsoring a measure that allows Illinois corporations to safely and effectively hold shareholder meetings virtually.

“While a lot of our favorite activities have been halted – much of our daily work and meetings haven’t,” Morrison said. “Corporations must be able to have transparent and safe communications between their boards and shareholders.”

The measure amends the Business Corporation Act to allow boards of directors of corporations to host shareholder meetings through virtual communication. If a corporation chooses to use these means, they must implement measures to allow shareholders to view, participate and vote.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner praised a plan by the Illinois Department of Public Health and Crossing Healthcare of Macon County to administer more vaccines to residents in Decatur, part of a broader pilot program which includes five federally qualified health centers (FQHC) and five safety net hospitals around the state.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the residents of Macon County,” said Senator Turner (D- Springfield). “The launch of the new pilot plan will not only save many lives, but will also forge a partnership that will benefit communities in the future. Recognizing that certain gaps exist in health care access is a huge first step that will lead to successful health outcomes.”

The state will provide each of the sites with approximately 300-500 additional vaccine doses per week. This comes in addition to the doses the state already has slated for distribution to health care partners like local health departments and pharmacies.

“Increasing the number of doses at Crossing Healthcare will be crucial to curbing the disease that has claimed the lives of so many of our family members, friends and neighbors,” Turner added. “Illinois residents, especially those in underserved communities, deserve access to quality services and I am elated about the progress we are making.”

Crossing Healthcare is located at 990 North Water St. Decatur. To find additional information about vaccine availability, including locations and eligibility, visit http://www.coronavirus.Illinois.gov.