WOOD RIVER – Following weeks of stricter COVID-19 guidelines in an effort to mitigate the virus in the Metro East, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is pleased local restaurants will be able to return to normal rules under Stage 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan.

“Our small businesses were the hit the hardest by this mitigation plan,” Crowe said. “Because of the commitment by the people of the Metro East to mask up and practice social distancing, these businesses will be able to return to operating how they were before the spike in cases.”

According to Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Region Four has continued to move in the right direction – resulting in a positivity rate below 6.5% for three days. The benchmark hit Friday allows the region to remove its additional mitigation rules at 5 p.m.

“I want to thank every community member who helped us get to this point,” Crowe said. “But, remember, it’s still important to continue to mask up. Though we all wish it was, the COVID-19 outbreak is not over yet.”

CENTREVILLE, Ill.—The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus will unveil their final pillar, health care and human services, as part of their efforts to develop an agenda to eliminate systemic racism ahead of the upcoming fall legislative session. The press conference will be on Friday, Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. at Touchette Regional Hospital located at 5900 Bond Avenue, Centreville, IL. Members from both chambers will discuss their efforts to deliver fair, quality health care and human services to Black communities throughout Illinois.

Health care and human services is the last of four pillars guiding the Black Caucus’ efforts to build an agenda to rid the state’s institutions of racism. The pillars include:

• Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
• Education and workforce development
• Economic access, equity and opportunity
• Health care and human services

Members will then participate in a joint virtual hearing of the Senate Public Health and Human Services committees at 2 p.m. The hearing will focus on social determinants and social influencers of health and health disparities. The Black Caucus has called for a series of hearings for each pillar. Ten hearings have already been held on the first three.

What: Press conference, followed by virtual joint Senate committee hearing

Who: Illinois Legislative Black Caucus

When: Friday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m.

Where: The press conference will be held at Touchette Regional Hospital located at 5900 Bond Avenue, Centreville, IL 62207. It can also be viewed on www.blueroomstream.com, a subscription-based service.

DOLTON – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) an advocate for the inclusion of minorities in all industries, voiced his support on giving Black businesses the tools they need to succeed and compete in Illinois business marketplace at a hearing Thursday.

“Black business owners often face more hurdles when it comes to obtaining working capital and resources,” Harris said. “It’s no secret that minority-owned business owners often have weaker banking relationships than white business owners. However, as a state, we can help provide the tools to help Black businesses succeed.”

A joint Senate Executive, Commerce and Economic Development, Financial Institutions and Labor Committees Subject Matter Hearing covered the importance of entrepreneurship and small businesses in Black communities Thursday.

CHICAGO – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) joined the Senate Education and Higher Education Committees for a hearing focused on the Black history curriculum and student success programs in Illinois elementary and high schools.

Wednesday’s hearing was the fourth hearing dedicated to education and workforce development, the second pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda to rid Illinois of systemic racism.

“It’s clear that it shouldn’t be difficult for children to learn about famous figures in history,” Lightford said. “Children should also learn about Black history in a way that is relatable and empowering, while also not hiding its truth and past atrocities. The State Board of Education should mandate a curriculum that incorporates lessons about all marginalized populations into their history classes.”

SOUTH WILMINGTON – The Village of South Wilmington will receive $162,000 in funding to improve the community’s drinking water quality as part of this year’s state budget for capital infrastructure improvements, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced Thursday.

“Maintaining a clean, reliable supply of drinking water is crucial for our rural communities,” said Joyce. “This funding comes at a critical time as we continue to mitigate the public health and financial impacts of COVID-19. This investment puts our community on track toward a modernized water infrastructure.”

CHICAGO – To discuss the structural challenges Black entrepreneurs face in commerce, Senate Financial Institutions Committee Chair Jacqueline Collins and Senate Executive Committee Chair Mattie Hunter will lead a joint Senate committee hearing today.

“Our goal in this ongoing series of hearings is to honestly and completely frame the problem of racial discrimination in Illinois as the basis for the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ legislative agenda,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This must include a look at what challenges Black-owned enterprises face.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Jacqueline Collins issued the following statement today as members of the Senate Education and Senate Higher Education Committees convened to continue discussions on racial equity in education in Illinois, specifically focusing on the state’s curricula in regard to the Black experience in American history.

“For too long Black history has been a footnote to American history. It is time to close the knowledge gap for all students by integrating Black history into the American history curricula in elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools.

“When we teach our children, we should be teaching them in truth. The Black experience is part of the American experience, the human experience, and our nation’s rich and complicated history and should not be taught in a vacuum. It is my hope that these hearings are the beginning of an honest reckoning with the shortcomings of our history curriculum.”

DES PLAINES – In honor of National Women’s Small Business Month, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) invited women small business owners to join “All in for Women,” a series of webinars from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) about navigating the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.

“Our women business owners work hard to support our local economy and make our small business community diverse and unique,” said Murphy. “This month and every month, they deserve to be celebrated. These informative webinars can help provide the resources and assistance they need to thrive.”

At “All in for Women,” business owners will be able to connect with DCEO officials to learn more about the BIG program, eligibility requirements and the application process. Technical assistance support will also be provided for the last 30 minutes of every session.

The Business Interruption Grant program is a $636 million program created to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19.

In the second round of grants, $220 million will be allocated to provide relief for all types of small businesses, including women-owned small businesses. Funding can be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent, utilities and other operational costs.

The webinar will be offered in four sessions, and registration is required:

• Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.

Other resources, including webinars geared toward women in manufacturing, Latina business owners and more, are available on the DCEO Office of Minority Economic Empowerment website.