ROCKFORD – To provide Rockford area residents with an opportunity to improve important life skills, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced that the Literacy Council in Rockford will receive more than $70,000 in grants from the secretary of state’s office to help adult learners develop reading, English-language and others skills. 

“Giving adults the ability to learn new skills not only provides them with new opportunities. It enhances the community they live in as well,” Stadelman said. “Everyone, no matter their age, should be given the chance to improve their skills and better themselves.”

More than 13,500 students will be served by adult literacy programs throughout Illinois. Supported by $5.6 million in state funds, the programs will depend on nearly 6,000 volunteer tutors to provide skills training for students, according to the secretary of state’s office. Adult literacy projects are focused on improving reading, writing and math and are targeted at Illinois adults who read below the 9th-grade level or speak English at a beginning level.

“I encourage Rockford-area residents to give back to their community and volunteer for this great program,” Stadelman said.

The Literacy Council in Rockford is set to receive a total of $70,690.

Those interested in volunteering should contact the Illinois Adult Learning Hotline at 800-321-9511.

GURNEE– In an effort to help young adults find jobs during the pandemic, State Senator Terry Link (D-Indian Creek) supported the Illinois Department of Human Services’ COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program, which provides employment opportunities for youth in the community.

“The Summer Youth Employment Program will help young adults find a job during this pandemic,” Link said. “This program provides our youth with job training, life skills and meaningful work experience that will lay down a strong foundation for their future.”

The state has dedicated $9.3 million to the program to employ low-income youth living in areas most affected by the pandemic.

Employee Connections is one of 30 youth employment providers that will receive $500,000 to employ 100 youth workers. Employees are matched with work-based learning opportunities based on their age, ability and experience, and will take part in career development training. 

For more information about Employee Connections, contact Cynthia Harris at 847-360-7177 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is announcing that the 21^st Senate District is set to receive over $15 million for improvements to local roads and bridges as part of the state’s ongoing multi-year construction plan.

“In these uncertain times, it’s encouraging to see the state continue to work on roads and bridges,” Ellman said. “These projects will bring good-paying jobs to our area, while also providing a much-needed update to local roads and bridges.”

The $15 million in spending will be distributed among a number of projects across the district, including over $6 million for the Washington Street bridge. Located in the center of downtown Naperville, the over 40-year-old bridge will be completely replaced. Other projects include the construction of new bikeways, rehabilitating local roads and repairing other bridges.

"The Washington Street bridge at the center of downtown Naperville has over 30,000 cars travel across it daily," said Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico. "At over 40 years old, reconstructing this critical piece of infrastructure is key to our continued economic success and vibrancy of our downtown business district."

The Illinois Department of Transportation’s plan will invest $21.3 billion to improve the state’s infrastructure over the next six years. Projects included in the program were selected based on objective criteria, such as pavement conditions, traffic volumes, and crash history. It will create thousands of job opportunities for residents across the state.

IDOT’s complete Multi-Year Plan can be found on the website and the complete list of projects for the 21^st District can be found here.

CHICAGO – Earlier this week, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) hosted mobile COVID-19 testing for over a hundred adults on the city’s West Side in a collaboration with Howard Brown Health, West Garfield Community Park Stakeholders, and Fathers Who Care.

“The older adults in my community are still struggling,” Van Pelt said. “The pandemic is still out there, and they still didn’t have access to necessary resources to stay alive. We wanted to do whatever we could to address that, hoping to provide some relief.”

Many residents at John Sullivan and Chicago Albany Terrace Apartments have been at a major disadvantage during this pandemic, with no access to transportation, food, and other resources, made worse by the limited access they had to their families.

Census workers were also in attendance, helping residents fill out the census on site in order to boost the region’s participation. In the 2010 Census, Black Americans were missed by a rate of 9% -- a rate higher than any other racial or ethnic group in our country.

“Time is running out to complete the census,” Van Pelt said. “This was an important event for seniors to get tested and get counted – both of which will ultimately better our communities.”

In light of calls for justice and equity across the nation, the census is more important now than ever before. Responding to the census is one way Illinoisans can push for social justice in their neighborhoods. Inaccurate data results in inadequate funding for underserved communities.

Anyone who hasn’t filled out the census can do so at my2020census.gov or expect to see census workers at their door around August 11.

People interested in donating resources for older adults can do so here.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is thrilled to announce the expansion of Illinois Department of Human Services’ COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program, creating additional employment opportunities for underserved youth in the Metro East area.

“Early work experience is an important tool for improving future employment prospects and salary potential for low-income youth,” Belt said. “This program will play an important role in helping our youth learn new skills and find worthwhile careers.”

The program will employ young adults in the Metro East area in July and August 2020, helping them train for and find work despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House Organization is placing youth employees in age, ability and experience appropriate work-based learning opportunities, while offering career development. Jobs are available in St. Clair and Madison Counties.

The Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House Organization is one of 30 youth employment providers across the state and received $500,000 in grant funding to employ 100 area youth. 

CHICAGO – In an effort to provide at-risk youth with an opportunity to develop new skill sets, State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) announced the expansion of the Illinois Department of Human Services’ COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program, which creates additional employment opportunities for underserved youth in the South Side of Chicago.

“Early work experience allows teens to learn what their passions are and explore future career paths,” Jones said. “The program will help them learn work and professional skills, like time management and creating a resume, that will help shape them for years to come.”

The program will employ young adults in the South Side throughout the summer months who have struggled to find work during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

SGA Youth Family Services and Universal Family Connections received money and support from the program and have matched South Side youth with work-based learning opportunities that fit their age, ability and experience. Program participants also take part in career development training. 

These providers are two of 30 youth employment providers across the state that have received $500,000 in grant funding to employ thousands of youth. 

CHICAGO – Recent reports of identity theft and unemployment fraud have prompted State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) to urge anyone who may have been targeted to file a report.

“Using a global pandemic to take advantage of people is unethical and illegal,” Villivalam said. “If you think you’ve been a victim or target of fraudulent activity, report it immediately.”

Reports surfaced last week of individuals receiving KeyBank debit cards with an accompanying unemployment benefit letter despite never having applied for assistance. The Illinois Department of Employment Security suspects these mailings may be fraud attempts.

IDES currently believes they’re part of a nationwide fraud scheme targeting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program applicants.

IDES staff is currently working with individuals whose identities have or may have been compromised by a scammer. The department is also partnering with local and federal law enforcement to catch and prosecute the perpetrators.

“If you have received a debit card in the mail and have not applied for assistance, don’t activate the card. Call IDES immediately at 1-800-814-0531 to report potential identity theft,” Villivalam said. “We can’t let these scammers get away with their schemes while people are struggling to overcome the pandemic. I would also encourage anyone who has been targeted to check your credit reports for suspicious activity.”

When you have filed a report, the Illinois Attorney General is offering information and tips free of charge for those who think their personal and financial information may be at risk. For assistance, consult their Identity Theft Resource Guide or call the toll-free Identity Theft Hotline at 1-866-999-5630.

Victims of fraud are also encouraged to place a fraud alert through one of the three major credit bureaus should any suspicious activity be found. Individuals should visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website for helpful tips on recognizing and reporting identity theft.

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman is recognizing and thanking the Illinois National Guard for its determination and service to Illinoisans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a member of the General Assembly and an Illinoisan, I cannot thank our troops enough for their hard work and dedication to this state,” Ellman said. “These young women and men have risked their lives day in and day out to ensure we all stay safe and healthy.”

Illinois’ mobile testing operation will be expanded to twelve COVID-19 mobile testing sites, operated by the National Guard. The sites will offer mobile testing to residents in the hardest hit communities and will visit other areas in need of more testing, like homeless services centers and nursing homes. The sites offer drive-through and walk-up tests free of charge to any Illinoisans who wants to be tested.

“Over the past few months, these troops have ensured that thousands of Illinoisans have been able to receive COVID-19 tests,” Ellman said. “Illinois has some of the best testing numbers and positivity rates in the nation. I have no doubt that this was made possible by the assistance of the National Guard.”

Testing has played a critical role in allowing for the safe reopening of the Illinois economy. Illinois has been persistently investing in accessible testing for all Illinoisans, which will allow communities across the state to stay on a course of recovery.

The governor’s announcement about the state’s mobile testing site expansion can be found here.

Individuals can find a nearby testing location visiting https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/testing-sites.