Need emergency child care AND you are an essential worker?

The State is mindful that child care is a critical emergency service that is necessary for essential workers.

The Child Care Resource and Referral System is collecting information from programs (centers and homes) that are offering emergency child care for children of essential workers, to connect families needing care, to available care.

We want to stress that these services should be provided only when essential workers have no other options available. The goal is still to practice social distancing and to shelter-in place whenever possible.

The CCR&R System is committed to supporting our child care providers through this health emergency, and appreciate all that you are doing to support children, families and your communities.

For more information: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-rPw5zwqr3SbBuLwpS4JfXUzHtgf9yW-uoX44GiWGDqMRcQ/viewform?fbclid=IwAR3FGZN6RNS1QmZLaw-5vTxJQFXj8pUx3VFH7GNBg9ix_vu0bYPLwTcvQz4

This week, the Governor issued a call for healthcare workers who have retired from or left the workforce to join the fight in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically:

Physicians whose licenses are expired or inactive for less than three years can temporarily restore their license, for no fee or continuing education requirement, to work under the direction of Illinois Emergency Management Agency (“IEMA”) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) or in a long-term care facility, hospital, or federally qualified health center (“FQHC”).

Physician Assistants whose licenses are inactive or in non-renewed status for less than three years can also temporarily restore their license, for no fee or continuing education requirement, to work under the direction of IEMA and IDPH or in a long-term care facility, hospital, or FQHC.

Licensed practical nurses, registered professional nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and respiratory care therapists whose licenses are inactive or in nonrenewed status for less than five years can also temporarily restore their license, for no fee or continuing education requirement, to work under the direction of IEMA and IDPH or in a longterm care facility, hospital, or FQHC.

Out-of-State physicians, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and respiratory care therapists may practice in Illinois if they are licensed in another state and are in good standing. These licensees must be operating under the authority of IEMA/IDPH or at a long-term care facility, hospital or FQHC, and must meet the standards of care mandated by the respective health care acts.

They must provide contact information and dates of arrival and departure on forms provided by IDFPR. This temporary practice approval expires on September 30, 2020.

Applications are available online at IDFPR’s website:

Health Care License Reinstatement: https://www.idfpr.com/Renewals/Apply/Forms/F2396.pdf

Physician License Reinstatement: https://www.idfpr.com/Renewals/Apply/Forms/F2397.pdf

Out of State Temporary Practice Permit: https://www.idfpr.com/Renewals/Apply/Forms/F2398.pdf

if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at (815) 464-5431

We all have licensed professionals in our local municipalities. Given the uncertainty from the ongoing public health crisis, the State of Illinois has granted license extensions to numerous professions.

Below you'll find the following list of professions whose renewal deadlines have been extended until September 30, 2020.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me or my office for assistance. Stay healthy, everyone!

SPRINGFIELD – Local governments are now able to apply for a portion of nearly $80 million in grants to update critical infrastructure and jumpstart further economic development in the South Suburbs, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) announced Tuesday.

“This grant money serves as an opportunity for local governments to spur economic growth,” Hastings said. “Through this program, DCEO has provided an avenue to both improve critical infrastructure and create jobs in our communities.”

Through a competitive selection process, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will distribute funding to local governments to support projects that will help generate jobs, expand economic opportunity and encourage new development.

DCEO has allocated $50 million for public infrastructure investments, $16.5 million for regional economic development projects and $13 million to prepare sites for construction. Potential projects also include improvements to utility lines and waste disposal systems, land and building acquisition, and architectural planning and engineering design.

Applications for public infrastructure grants must be submitted by June 30, but others will be accepted on a rolling basis. Available grants, project guidelines and application materials can be found here.

For additional information on these funds, prospective applicants can visit DCEO’s website here. Interested parties can send questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 217-785-6174.