Ellman returns to Capitol to pass state budget and address COVID-19 challenges

SPRINGFIELD - Last week, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) and the Illinois Senate reconvened in Springfield to pass the state budget after a nearly three months of cancelations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There’s no doubt that these were unusual circumstances under which to pass a state budget,” Ellman said. “We came together as a governing body and passed a responsible budget.”

Ellman emphasized a provision in the budget that expanded the eligibility of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program through June 2021. LIHEAP is a program to assist low income households who are struggling with their utility bills.

“This pandemic has effected all of us, but it’s more likely to affect the financial security of those who are already having trouble paying their bills,” Ellman said. “Expanding the eligibility for this program was a necessary step to make sure that those who are already struggling don’t fall though the cracks.”

Ellman also highlighted that with this budget, the state is committed to maintaining and making full pension payments, as well as holding the line for K-12 and higher education funding.

“We have a responsibly to hold up our end of the bargain and continue to maintain the state’s pension payments and education funding,” Ellman said. “Now more than ever, it is absolutely imperative that we provide confidence for our students and educators in these uncertain times.”

In addition, this year’s budget fully funds the Local Government Distributive Fund. The fund provides local governments with a share of the state’s income tax revenue and will help them make up for budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Bill 264 passed the full Senate with a vote of 37-19-0.

“What the General Assembly accomplished this week is just a start. We did what was needed to begin moving forward,” Ellman said. “Make no mistake, there’s still a lot of work to be done, but I believe if we continue to come together as a state, we can tackle this challenge, and when we do, we will be stronger for it.”

Statement on the Fiscal Year 2021 state budget

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) released the following statement after the Illinois Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2021 state budget:

“There’s no doubt that these were unusual circumstances under which to pass a state budget. We came together as a governing body and passed a responsible budget.”

“What we accomplished this week is just a start. We did what was needed to begin moving forward. Make no mistake, there’s still a lot work to be done, but I believe if we continue to come together as a state, we can tackle this challenge, and when we do, we will be stronger for it.”

Ellman highlights the passage of local government and education packages

SPRINGFIELD - On Wednesday, State Senator Laura Ellman and the Illinois Senate reconvened in Springfield to address the challenges relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and work on the annual state budget.

Ellman strongly supported the passage of local government and education packages. Both addressed the outstanding needs that were created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Local governments have struggled to keep people safe during this crisis and face many of their own challenges,” Ellman said. “We need to give them the tools to respond and serve their local communities.”

The local government legislation establishes that any aid people receive under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act or any other federal money given out in response to the COVID-19 not be counted against them when they apply for township general assistance. General assistance provides resources to low-income people who may not qualify for other programs or who need additional help. House Bill 2096 passed the Senate with a unanimous vote of 54-0-0.

The education package includes a number of items like allowing remote learning days and remote learning plans. The package also allows for the suspension of clock hour requirements when a disaster is declared, allows mandated exams to be completed remotely and a number of other provisions.

“Making sure our schools are able to continue the education of our youth is essential in these uncertain times,” Ellman said. “This package is giving school districts and teachers the tool they need to continue.”

Senate Bill 1569 passed the Senate with a bipartisan vote of 42-13-0.

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

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