CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the death of DCFS specialist Diedre Silas:

“I am absolutely devastated by the loss of Diedre, an incredible person dedicated to protecting our children. She was a remarkable person and worker and she will surely be missed. Though her death was tragic, I will always remember her for the bright soul that she was. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones, and I pray they receive justice for her untimely passing.

“Sadly, this isn’t the first DCFS child protection worker who was attacked and murdered on the job. That’s why I will be introducing legislation that will protect employees from these kind of dangers.”

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards have been extended an additional three months – from Jan. 1, 2022, to March 31, 2022. This extension does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits. White noted this will be the final extension.

“During the pandemic, my office has continued to serve the public, including face-to-face transactions, in a safe and responsible manner,” said White. “This extension is necessary as my office continues to address the heavy customer volume caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through expanded online services and the introduction of appointments at select Driver Services facilities.”

Public Act 102-678 authorizes the Secretary of State’s office to extend driver’s license and ID card expiration dates to March 31, 2022.

Throughout the pandemic, White’s office has launched a diversified effort to address the heavy customer demand at facilities caused by the ongoing pandemic by requiring appointments at select facilities and expanding online services. These efforts include:

• Requiring appointments at select Driver Services facilities for behind-the-wheel road tests, REAL IDs, standard driver’s licenses and ID cards. Customers may visit ilsos.gov for a list of participating facilities, as well as to schedule an appointment. New appointment slots will be available each day at ilsos.gov.

• Expanding remote renewal for driver’s license and ID card holders. Since fall, the office has been mailing letters to eligible customers with expired driver’s licenses and ID cards requiring them to renew online, by phone or by mail. The office estimates that this will eliminate the need for approximately 1 million people to visit a facility.

• Urging the public to consider using online services at ilsos.gov instead of visiting a facility for transactions such as purchasing license plate stickers, obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card, and renewing driver’s licenses and ID cards, including REAL IDs, for those who are eligible.

As a reminder, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023.

*This event has been POSTPONED.

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is partnering with the Black Women’s Health Imperative to bring South Side communities a conversation on COVID-19 at 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19. The event will be held at the Bishop Shepard Little Recreation Center on 5222 S. Halsted, Chicago to address COVID-19 safety and vaccine hesitancy.

“Nearly two years after its onset, COVID-19 and its variants still pose a threat to the health of our communities,” Hunter said. “It is important that we take steps to protect ourselves, and address the remaining hesitancy in Black communities around vaccines and booster shots.”

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How do I know if I am eligible to apply for the Woodlawn Long-Term Grant program?
1. You must be the owner-occupant of a residential property (1 to 4 dwelling units) in the Woodlawn program area, which means that you both own and live in the property as your principal residence for at least the past FIVE years. ‘Mixed-use’ (residential & commercial) properties are not eligible.

2. You must have a household income that fits within the program limits. Household income includes income from all members of your household, even if the other household members are not your Co-applicant(s). The HUD 2021 Income limits are shown below:
Household Size 120% Area Median Income

1 person $ 78,360
2 persons $ 89,520
3 persons $100,680
4 persons $111,840
5 persons $120,840
6 persons $129,840
7 persons $138,720
8 persons $147,720

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