NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) would like to draw attention to drug addiction treatment options for citizens of DuPage County after news of a sudden increase in fatal and non-fatal overdoses over the past three weeks.

“As the state continues with the Stay at Home Order, we need to remember there is another epidemic that has been spreading across our communities, the opioid epidemic,” Ellman said. “Though COVID-19 continues to be an unprecedented threat, we need to remain attentive to the opioid epidemic and ensure that everyone knows help is available."

2019 data revealed that the age of people dying from opioid overdoses has increased. The average age of those who’ve died is 36, higher than it was last year. Many of those who died were living alone, having personal or marital difficulty, depression and recent drug rehab or treatment.

Read more: Ellman draws attention to drug addiction resources after news of increased opioid overdoses

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) encouraged DuPage and Will County residents to fill out the 2020 Census, protecting their representation in government and share of federal funding.

“The census is essential for the federal government to determine how much funding will be given to both Will and DuPage County,” Ellman said. “Filling out the census has never been easier with the new online option. It only took me about five minutes to fill out.”

Read more: Ellman: Get counted for your community

Dear friends,

We are living in an unprecedented time. To get through this situation, we have all relied on more financial help from the federal government than most of us have ever seen before – from unemployment insurance, to e-learning, to COVID-19 testing.

The best way to make sure our communities get the support they need – and deserve – from Washington, D.C. is by filling out the Census. The 10-minute questionnaire will impact how federal funds flow into states and provides information that will impact your community for the next decade.

By now, everyone should have received mail from the U.S. Census Bureau. The letter either contains your household’s Census ID number to be used when filling out the census online at my2020census.gov or the questionnaire itself.

The information you provide will impact your community every day — from influencing public health to school programs.

Please take time to help shape the future. Your response matters. More than that, you can help keep census workers and their families safe by reducing their exposure to COVID-19.

If you have any questions, please reach out to my office at (630) 453-5488.

Sincerely,

Laura Ellman

State Senator | 21st District

Dear friends, 

To continue our progress in containing the spread of COVID-19, Gov. JB Pritzker announced he will extend and modify the Stay at Home Order through the end of May.

This modification is an effort to give Illinoisans more flexibility while maintaining social distancing—under the new Stay at Home Order, you may be able to spend more time outside, reopen your business or even return to work.

Here are some changes you can expect to see beginning May 1:

Face coverings will be required in public indoor spaces.

Beginning May 1, individuals over the age of 2 will be required to wear face coverings in public indoor spaces where they can’t maintain six feet of social distance, including grocery stores. The modified order will also include occupancy limits for essential businesses.

You’ll have more options for outdoor activities.

State parks will begin a phased reopening in May, and fishing and boating in groups of no more than two people will be permitted. A list of parks that will be open on May 1 and additional guidelines can be found on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website. Golf will also be permitted, as long as golfers respect strict safety guidelines and social distancing measures.

Some businesses will reopen.

Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries, as well as animal grooming services, will be allowed to reopen as essential businesses. Non-essential retail stores may reopen to fulfill curbside pickup and delivery orders. However, these businesses must follow social distancing guidelines and require customers and employees to wear face coverings.

 If you return to work, you’ll be safer.

Read more: Changes to the Stay at Home Order