FRANKFORT – Illinois now has a new crisis line for mental health and substance use emergencies to provide residents in the Southland experiencing a mental health crisis with crucial support.

“Caring for your mental health is important at every age,” said State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This new 9-8-8 helpline will help those needing extra assist with lifesaving resources.”

9-8-8 is a 24-hour hotline for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Illinois launched the helpline on Saturday, July 16.Those who need assistance are now able to dial 9-8-8 and be connected with a trained mental health professional who can provide assistance.

Hastings reiterates that the hotline is a free, confidential service.

“This helpline is another way Illinois is removing barriers to allow residents to successfully cope with their stress, social well-being and anxious moments,” Hastings said. “Mental health is as important as physical health and we must ensure we provide resources to those who need assistance.”

In Illinois’ Fiscal Year 2023 budget, implemented July 1, mental health care and community-based substance use disorder treatment providers were appropriated an increase of $230 million for support services.

Hastings urges residents who need assistance or if they know someone who is struggling with mental health to utilize additional resources that are available at Lifeline 988.

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FRANKFORT – State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced on Thursday, thanks to funds distributed by the Illinois State Board of Education, school districts in the 19^th District will be receiving $550,000 for critical infrastructure improvements.

“Investing in our children, is a direct investment in our state’s future,” Hastings (D-Frankfort) said. “These grants will go toward critical infrastructure improvements and maintenance that will help promote a healthy and safe learning environment for our students.”

A total of $30 million in 2022 School Maintenance Grants was distributed to districts across the state. To be eligible for the grants, applicants were required to match the state funds and commit to completing proposed projects within two years.

Projects made possible thanks to these grants include updates to heating and cooling, improvements to ventilation, increased accessibility throughout buildings and more.

The following school districts in the 19^th District will each receive $50,000 grants:

• New Lenox School District 122
• Mokena School District 159
• Summit Hill School District 161
• Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210
• Lincoln-Way Area Special Education District 843
• Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144
• Arbor Park School District 145
• Community Consolidated School District 146
• Elementary School District 159
• Matteson Elementary School District 162
• Rich Township High School District 227

“These grants will allow schools to make essential upgrades and help make schools more energy efficient in order to save vital taxpayer dollars while giving students a space to support their academic success,” Hastings said.

A full list of grantees and awards can be viewed on the ISBE website.

ORLAND HILLS — State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) is partnering with Orland Hills Mayor Kyle R. Hastings and Moraine Valley Community College Trustee Bernadette Barrett to host a free community Touch-A-Truck event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 18.

The event will allow children and their families the opportunity to touch, sit in and explore real vehicles from a number of different trades.

There will be a wide variety of vehicles such as a PACE Bus, vehicles from the Cook County Sheriff's Office, Orland Fire Protection District and more.

The family-friendly event is open to local residents.

Date: Saturday, June 18

Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Orland Hills Recreation Center (16553 S. Haven Ave., Orland Hills)

For more information, call Hastings ‘office at (815) 464-5431.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois now has a new law on the books to address the growing need for mental health services for first responders, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) sponsored House Bill 1321, which creates the First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Program to provide grants to municipalities, law enforcement agencies, fire protection and school districts, hospitals and ambulance services. It was signed into law on Friday.

“Every day our brave officers put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” Hastings said. “First responders across Illinois have difficult jobs and often find themselves in high stress situations. This new program will help provide municipalities and law enforcement agencies among many others offer better services for officers looking for the tools to check in on their mental health.”

Hastings championed this initiative to ensure that first responders, including police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and public safety telecommunicators across Illinois have full access to supportive and responsive behavioral health services and treatment.

“Officer wellness is the proper foundation for all things law enforcement,” Chief Mitchell R. Davis, from the Hazel Crest Police Department said. “Being proactive about ensuring that the well-being of those that see the unthinkable for a living is intact ensures that they are able to carry out their responsibilities in a way that is best for them, their families, and those that they serve. Thanks to Senator Hastings for being a proactive force in ensuring that mental wellness is a top priority and that effective resources are equitably accessible to all law enforcement officers in the State of Illinois.” 

During Hastings’ time in the Senate, he has supported various initiatives to fully fund law enforcement including this year’s budget which allocates funding for three state police cadet classes, the largest in state history, to hire and train 300 new troopers to address the rising need of law enforcement officers across the state, particularly in the Chicago metropolitan area.

House Bill 1321 passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2023.