WOOD RIVER – In response to the lack of inventory available for Metro East residents at food banks, organizers have planned a multi-city community food drive, and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is urging residents who can to donate to help those in need.
According to event organizer Tom Anderson, the collection site will be on the corner of Illinois Rt. 140 and Texas Blvd. in Bethalto from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. With a drive-thru style drop-off plan, volunteers will be accepting donations at that location for Community Hope Center in Bethalto, Crisis Food Center in Alton and Day Spring Four Square Church in South Roxana.
Read more: Crowe encouraging residents to support upcoming local food drive
ROLLING MEADOWS – Residents of the Northwest Suburbs will be able to get tested for COVID-19 safely and easily at a new drive-thru testing site opening May 20 in Rolling Meadows, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced.
“Especially as we start the reopening process, increased testing is one tool we have to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Murphy. “The best way to make sure you aren’t spreading the virus is to get tested. It’s easy and free—if you think you may be at risk of infection, I encourage you to visit this new site.”
The new site will be located in the parking lot of Rolling Meadows High School at 2901 Central Rd. and will offer testing services seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or while supplies last.
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms can be tested for the virus without a doctor’s order. You can also get a test if you’ve been in contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19, if you have a compromised immune system or other chronic medical condition, or if you are a front-line worker, whether or not you are experiencing symptoms.
At drive-thru testing sites like the one in Rolling Meadows, patients must remain in their vehicles—walk-ups will not be accepted. Testing is free, but patients will be asked to show photo identification and a health care employee or first responder ID badge, if applicable.
“There are lots of people who need tests, so keep in mind that the wait times at these sites may be significant,” said Murphy. “Please be patient with personnel and the other people in line. We’ll get through this if we work together.”
Testing sites continue to open across the state. For the most up-to-date list of these sites, as well as testing hours and contact information, visit https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/testing-sites.
DOLTON – To help students who are seeking post-secondary education, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) is encouraging high school graduates to apply for the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Scholarship.
“Many of our student’s families are not able to pay for college,” Harris said. “College is costly, so students should take advantage of this scholarship, especially since many have extra time on their hands right now.”
The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Scholarship has been a catalyst for many low-income students who would not be able to afford certain expenses upon arriving at the higher learning facility.
SPRINGFIELD - Marking the first step of its reopening plan, the Illinois secretary of state’s office will reopen seven driver services facilities, including Springfield-Dirksen, to provide drive-thru services for vehicle registration sticker transactions beginning Tuesday, May 19.
“This has been a source of major concern for some of the people I represent,” said State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill). “I appreciate the thoughtful planning by the secretary of state’s office to ensure that Illinoisans can access these vital services in a safe way that doesn’t compromise the health of staff or customers.”
Located at 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway, the facility will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. All employees will wear face masks, and customers are encouraged to do the same.
Since Gov. JB Pritzker’s Stay at Home Order took effect, more than 600,000 people have renewed their stickers online, an increase of approximately 65%.
Customers are still encouraged to renew their vehicle registration stickers online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com. Driver’s licenses can also be renewed online.
DANVILLE - Beginning Tuesday, May 19, the Tilton Department of Motor Vehicles will offer a drive-through service to assist customers with vehicle registration sticker transactions, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Friday.
“Since COVID-19 hit, the secretary of state’s office has encouraged residents to utilize their online services,” Bennett said. “By offering limited services at select DMVs, we are starting to see the progression forward, while still prioritizing customers and workers safety.”
Tilton was one of seven facilities selected to open due to the configuration of the building which allows for drive-through transactions. All employees will wear face masks and customers are encouraged to do the same.
The hours of operation will be Tuesday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to noon.
Bennett continues to urge the public to renew their vehicle registration stickers online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com for those customers who able. All expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and vehicle registrations have been extended at least 90 days after Driver Services facilities reopen.
Bennett also reminded residents the federal government extended the REAL ID deadline by one year. The deadline is now October 1, 2021.
WOOD RIVER – In an effort to connect job seekers with training and open positions throughout the state, the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have partnered to create Get Hired Illinois. State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is encouraging unemployed residents to check out the available resources.
“No one could have predicted the economic downfall we’re experiencing now, but everyone unemployed at this time, especially residents out of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic, should log on to Get Hired Illinois to see what their options are,” Crowe said.
The portal is designed for job seekers of all levels and backgrounds and allows employers to upload jobs, virtual career fairs, and training opportunities.
Nearly 60,000 job opportunities across a range of industries are currently available on the Get Hired portal, and more will be made available in the coming weeks. Additionally, more than 70 employers have committed to hosting virtual job fairs through the site.
The state is also launching a new partnership with Coursera to provide professional development opportunities for individuals looking to navigate new career pathways. After completing these online programs, participants will have the opportunity to continue their studies at a local community college or university, or to connect with employers through their local workforce boards.
More information is available at https://www2.illinois.gov/gethired.
SPRINGFIELD – To connect with community members during the Stay at Home Order and stay up to date on the issues affecting her district, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) hosted a Telephone Town Hall event Thursday evening, which also featured input from medical and public health experts.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I haven’t been able to speak to constituents in person for the past few weeks,” said Murphy. “This Telephone Town Hall was a great opportunity to hear from my neighbors about the challenges they’re facing and offer my assistance in any way I can.”
The Telephone Town Hall gave local residents a chance to voice their opinions and share their input on legislative initiatives important to the area and the state. Callers were invited to submit questions over the phone and by email.
Read more: Murphy hosts Telephone Town Hall to connect with residents during Stay at Home Order
ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is pleased to announce the Illinois secretary of state’s announcement of the opening of a drive-vehicle registration facility in Rockford, beginning Tuesday.
“I’d like to thank the Secretary of State for including Rockford in the first stage of his reopening plan,” Stadelman said. “Access to facilities like the DMV are a necessary part of moving forward and getting back to some semblance of normal, everyday life.”
The facility will only be offering drive-thru services for vehicle registration sticker transactions. According to the Secretary of State’s office, the opening of the facility is the first step of a reopening plan that will be announced in the coming days. The plan will include guidance on how to properly protect customers and employees.
“My commitment is to do everything we can to help protect the health and safety of our residents, while providing services to the people of Illinois,” said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. “This first step in a reopening plan adheres to this commitment.”
Hours of operation for the Rockford facility will be Tuesday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to noon.
All expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and vehicle registrations have been extended at least 90 days after Driver Services facilities fully reopen. The federal government has also extended the REAL ID deadline by one year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline is now October 1, 2021.
Stadelman continues to urge the residents to renew their vehicle registration stickers online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com for anyone who can do so. Residents can also renew their driver’s license online through the Safe Driver Renewal program, as well as obtain duplicate driver’s licenses and ID cards.
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