EAST ST. LOUIS - In order to continue to make students and teachers educational experience from home easier, State Senator Christopher Belt, supported an education package to help with the obstacles many are facing during the public health crisis.

“Many students who have been forced to give up their regular school session have experienced a greater disadvantage when it comes to remote learning due to a lack of resources. Some do not have access to technology to get on daily zooms, which leads to students having difficult time staying connected. “Belt said. “It’s important educators and students are equipped with the right tools to ensure this current reality runs smoothly.”

The education package does a number of things to help students and teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes extending educator license renewals for one year, so teachers don’t have to go through the renewal process while working remotely. It also allows for mandatory tests to be taken remotely, so students don’t have to risk getting sick in order to take an exam they need to apply for college.

Additionally, relating to higher education, any grade of “pass,” “credit,” or “satisfactory” during the public health emergency is transferable and will fulfill prerequisite requirements for more advanced courses.

Senate Bill 1569 also modifies income requirements for the state's AIM HIGH education grant program, states a student’s income when they enter the program will remain their income for the duration of their inclusion in the program.

Senate Bill 1569 passed the Senate and must receive final approval from the governor.

GLENVIEW – As businesses and offices prepare to reopen, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) hopes to put parents at ease by announcing a plan to allow child care centers across Illinois to reopen with guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

“No one should have to choose between doing their jobs and looking after their children, and parents should be able to rely on their child care centers to keep kids healthy and safe,” said Fine. “I hope this new plan will provide them some peace of mind.”

All child care facilities will be able to open under Phases 3 and 4 of the governor’s reopening plan, as long as they adhere to the guidelines set by IDPH and create a reopening plan that protects the health of both children and staff.

That plan must include what to do if a child or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, daily symptom checks and a face covering requirement, among other things.

No more than 10 children will be allowed in a classroom at a time for four weeks. After that, if the center has met proper health, social distancing and sanitation requirements, it will be able to expand to larger group sizes.

Additionally, child care programs that have been open since the start of the Stay at Home Order will be allowed expand capacity as their region enters Phase 3.

“During this pandemic, many parents have had to balance full-time work, parenting and homeschooling,” said Fine. “Opening daycares will give moms and dads a break and ensure that kids are getting more of the one-on-one engagement they need throughout the day.”

All regions of the state have been approved to move to Phase 3 starting today.

CHAMPAIGN – After restrictions were lifted for Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan to allow for outdoor dining, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) encourages people to support their local business owners.

“The economic impacts of this pandemic have been devastating to small businesses, especially those in the food service and hospitality industries,” Bennett said. “We have a responsibility to our local businesses to do all we can to get them going again. Now is the time to support our business owners and working people that make our community special.”

Since the first executive order issued on March 21, restaurants and bars had been forced to stop dine-in service to slow the spread of COVID-19. Earlier this month, the governor announced outdoor dining would now be permitted for regions that enter Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan. All four regions entered Phase 3 Friday, May 29.

“It’s critical that we continue to listen to the recommendations of our public health experts so we can continue to progress forward,” Bennett said. “Please be considerate and remember to wear your masks and keep six feet apart while waiting to reserve a table.”

SPRINGFIELD –After hearing concerns from childcare providers about the financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on them, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) made it a priority to ensure funding was available to keep them afloat.

The General Assembly recently approved this year’s budget, contained in Senate Bill 264, which provides funds for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Grant Program for childcare and daycare providers who have had to close their businesses during the current pandemic.

“Childcare providers from across my district reached out to me with concerns about having to permanently close without financial support,” Lightford said. “I went to Springfield with their concerns in mind, and I am glad we were able to drive funds to this important issue.”

Childcare centers are one of the many types of businesses that were widely affected by the closures required during the COVID-19 outbreak. Currently, childcare providers can only operate at a limited capacity to care for children of essential workers.

The grants will be distributed through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity once the program is established and funds are made available.

WESTERN SPRINGS – After restrictions were lifted for Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan to allow for outdoor dining, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) encouraged residents to support their local business owners.

“The small businesses that make our community unique are hurting, especially those in the food service and hospitality industries,” Glowiak Hilton said. “We can all do a small part by visiting these local restaurants as they reopen for outdoor seating.”

Since the first executive order issued on March 21, restaurants and bars had been forced to stop dine-in service to slow the spread of COVID-19. Earlier this month, the governor announced that outdoor dining would now be permitted for regions that enter Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan. All four regions are expected to enter Phase 3 this Friday, May 29.

“The only reason restaurants are allowed to reopen is because we are following guidelines from public health experts,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Please be considerate and remember to wear your masks and keep six feet apart while waiting to reserve a table.”

PEORIA – To give residents who are struggling the chance to receive assistance with utility bills, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is highlighting the expansion of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) included in the state budget.

“LIHEAP is just one of the many vital services our residents are relying on to get them through this difficult moment,” Koehler said. “If people are just barely unqualified for this program, that does not mean they aren’t struggling and couldn’t use the financial assistance. The expansion of this program will allow more people to take advantage of the opportunity for lower utility bills.”

The LIHEAP expansion would increase the qualifying threshold from 150% of the federal poverty level to 200% of the federal poverty level, allowing more people to take advantage of available aid from the state. Additionally, the amount of credit issued to those who qualify would increase to:

• $2,400 ($200 per month) annually if applicants are above the federal poverty level
• $3,000 ($250 per month) annually if applicants are under the federal poverty level

For a single person to meet the federal poverty level an income of $12,760 per year is required, and for family of four, $26,200 per year.

“This is the sort of moment when government is supposed to step up and offer a helping hand wherever possible,” Koehler said. “Forcing people to choose between paying their utility bill and affording groceries for the month is unacceptable. By giving more people access to financial assistance programs such as LIHEAP, Illinoisans won’t be forced to make that choice.”

The state budget proposal now awaits Governor Pritzker’s approval.

CHAMPAIGN – The state budget for the next fiscal year will increase funding to senior services to help some of the most vulnerable Illinoisans cope during the COVID-19 crisis, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Thursday.

“Because seniors are more likely to experience serious consequences if they contract coronavirus, many older adults have had to isolate themselves from friends and family for the past few months,” Bennett said. “This budget gives our seniors the tools to live independently.”

To offer much-needed assistance to struggling seniors during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the budget provides $201.7 million in additional funding to the Illinois Department on Aging.

This includes $1 billion in support for the Community Care Program, which provides cost-effective alternatives to nursing home placement and helps seniors maintain their independence. As long-term care facilities account for a disproportionate number of COVID-19 deaths across the country, programs that enable older adults to remain at home may save lives.

The funds will also allow the Department on Aging to continue to offer home-delivered meal services and run the Senior HelpLine, which connects older adults and caregivers with local programs and services. In addition, the budget increases funding to Adult Protective Services to expand efforts to prevent abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of older adults.

Area Agencies on Aging will receive an additional $1.2 million to provide community-based services to seniors at a local level.

“While isolation may be a necessary step to keep higher-risk older adults safe during this pandemic, they are not alone,” Bennett said. “I’m pleased to see the state is stepping up to protect vital services for our aging parents, friends and loved ones.”