News Progress

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

•August 19, 2020•
Although school will look different this year because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), whether it’s remote learning, in the classroom, or a hybrid, kids should still receive their routine vaccinations. Vaccines help protect children from diseases like chickenpox and pertussis, which remain common in the U.S.
“While much of our focus is on COVID-19 these days, we must continue to take care of all of our health needs,” said Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Vaccines are one of the safest and most effective methods to protect children from more than a dozen vaccine-preventable diseases. Make sure your children are fully vaccinated so they can be as healthy as possible while facing the ongoing risk of COVID-19.” Read More

•August 19, 2020•
On August 10 President, David Spinner of AFSCME Retirees Sub-chapter #87 held a phone conference to discuss and update important State and Federal issues for retired seniors. Spinner called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.
Spinner introduced Ms. Maria Britton Sipe, Retiree Program Coordinator for AFSCME Chapter 31 as the guest speaker.
Sipe began by thanking all the AFSCME members for helping out communities during this trying time of Covid-19 pandemic.
She said that with the State of Illinois can finally fix the structural deficit that has plagued the state for decades. As of now the state has a flat tax, and the Fair Tax would move us to a progressive tax. The Fair Tax or Graduated Tax legislation has passed both the Illinois Senate and House and was signed by the Governor. The Fair Tax will be on the November 2020 voters’ ballot as a Yes or No question and must be approved by the voters in the General Election. Read More

Dear Editor,

A special thank you to the person(s) who started the “Have a Great Day” yard signs. How wonderful to see them in yards, at the Habitat Store and the Police Station. These signs speak more about our community to visitors driving through and to our children than some of the crass, vulgar signs being displayed. Thank you!

Ellen Ferrera

•August 19, 2020•
This week, the U.S. Census Bureau began following up with households nationwide that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. Based on the current self-response rate of 63.3%, the Census Bureau estimates it will need to visit about 56 million addresses to collect responses in person. Up to 500,000 census takers across the country will go door to door to assist people in responding to the 2020 Census.
Learn More
Census takers began following up with households on July 16 in a limited number of areas and added additional areas each week thereafter. Starting Aug. 9, all remaining offices began following up with households nationwide. Census takers have completed training on social distancing and safety protocols, will follow local public health guidelines, and will be required to wear a face mask when conducting follow-up visits. Read More

Calls it largest pandemic-related housing stability program in the nation

•August 12, 2020•
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced a pair of housing assistance programs aimed at helping lower-income households meet their rent and mortgage payments during the pandemic.
“The economic pain brought on by COVID-19 has impacted every Illinoisan, but no one has carried a burden larger than those least able to weather a financial hardship,” Pritzker said during an announcement in Chicago. “Every action that we take to pave our way through this crisis and beyond must be done with a special focus on those who have too often been left out and left behind.”
The two programs are being administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program will provide $150 million in federal CARES Act funding to help low-income households catch up on their rent payments.
Tenants who are approved for that program will receive one-time grants of $5,000, paid directly to their landlords, to cover rental payments they missed starting in March and to prepay rent bills through December, or until the $5,000 is exhausted, whichever comes first. Those grants will not have to be repaid. Read More