SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) congratulated newly elected Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) today, and expressed her eagerness to pass ethical reform.

“I am excited to get to work with our new leadership team to focus on job creation and reforming our ethics laws,” Glowiak Hilton said. “With 17 new Senators since 2018 and new leadership, now is the time to make major, lasting changes to our state’s political culture.”

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WESTERN SPRINGS – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) announced that 11 local school districts will receive over $28,000 from the Illinois Secretary of State’s School Library Grant program.

“Developing reading skills in young students is one of the most important investments the state can make in our education system,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Reading and comprehension is the foundation on which we learn and I am glad to live in a state that prioritizes this.”

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WESTERN SPRINGS – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and small businesses are faced with extended financial hardships, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is encouraging business owners to apply for assistance through the latest round of Business Interruption Grants.

“Far more than large companies, small businesses in our community have felt the effects of closures and fewer people venturing out,” Glowiak Hilton said. “To offer some help to these unique local enterprises, Illinois is releasing the next round grants.”

The BIG Program has allocated $220 million in the second round for movie theatres, performing arts venues, concert venues and other businesses that face more challenges in the interest of maintaining health and safety restrictions during the pandemic.

BIG funds may be used to help businesses cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic.

To ensure funds are distributed across business type, $60 million has been specifically allocated for heavily distressed industries, including indoor recreation facilities and amusement parks.

During its first round of funding earlier this year, the program granted more than $49 million to small businesses across the state. Businesses in the 24th Senate District were awarded grants totaling $550,000.

“Small businesses play a vital, unique role in our communities, and I was delighted to see several local organizations make use of assistance from the program,” Glowiak Hilton said. “I encourage any other affected businesses to apply for funding as soon as it becomes available.”

Applications open Thursday, Sept. 17 and can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website alongside a full list of criteria.

WESTERN SPRINGS – To help keep Illinois’ senior residents from waiting in line at the DMV, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) reminded drivers age 75 and older that their driver’s license expiration dates have been extended by one year.

“The one-year extension for older drivers is the latest action to help seniors avoid or delay a visit to the DMV during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Glowiak Hilton said. “This extension will give our elder population the option to plan a visit when they are comfortable, with no penalty.”

To qualify for the extension, drivers must be 75 years of age or older and have a valid license—drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked do not qualify for the one-year extension. Eligible drivers should soon receive a letter from the secretary of state as proof that they qualify.

For drivers under age 75, expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and license plate stickers have been extended until Nov. 1, 2020. Customers who choose to visit a facility must wear a face mask. In addition, customers are asked to be patient due to heavy volume and to be prepared to wait outside in various types of weather.

Glowiak Hilton continues to encourage drivers to visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com to avoid waiting in line and take advantage of online services, including replacements and renewals of registrations, driver’s licenses and ID cards.