Honoring Working Americans This Labor Day |
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Labor Day is this Monday, September 7th. While time off work is important and needed every now and then to relax and unwind, Labor Day is more than a day off, picnics or barbecues with family and neighbors, or the unofficial end of summer. Labor Day is a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of the working men and women of America - those who built our country and made it the greatest nation on Earth.
I'm talking about the laborers, carpenters, and operators who build our roads and buildings, the truck drivers who transport goods across the country, the nurses who keep us healthy, the farmers and farmworkers who grow and harvest our food, the retail workers who stock the shelves, the letter carriers who deliver the mail, the electricians who power our cities and keep our lights on, the teachers who educate and prepare us for the future, the sanitation workers that keep our spaces clean, the factory workers who build things we need, and the list goes on.
This COVID-19 pandemic makes celebrating and honoring working men and women, particularly front line workers, even more important. We take for granted the fact that everyone we interact with on a daily basis, either directly or indirectly, shows up to work and keeps our country moving. Let's do everything we can, in our daily lives and through public policy, to support working families.
I'm proud to say that in Congress, I've made it one of my top priorities to stand with workers and their families. Through passing middle class tax cuts, advocating for job-creating reforms, creating new investments in our communities and local infrastructure, supporting a worker's right to organize and collectively bargain for good-paying wages, and supporting assistance for workers during this COVID-19 pandemic, I've made it my mission to support the working men and women of America. There have even been times when I've fought members of my own party who've pushed anti-worker policies.
So from my family to yours, enjoy time off on your Labor Day weekend. You've earned it. And for those who are working this Labor Day, thank you for all you do. Your contributions to our country are not going unnoticed. God bless our working families and God bless America.
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The Champaign Co. Weather Radio Tower Must Be Brought Back Online |
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This week, WCIA reported that the Champaign County Weather Radio tower operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) may not be operational until 2021. From WCIA's story:
"Six months after Champaign County’s NOAA Weather Radio tower went offline, officials now say it could be 2021 before a new one is put in place.
"The radio tower based in Champaign that serves nine counties by providing forecasts and severe weather alert has been offline since February 13.
"People in many of the affected counties — including Piatt, Ford, DeWitt, Douglas, Coles and Vermilion — have been able to tune into other stations in bordering areas for their weather alerts.
"But not Champaign: Since the tower went offline six months ago, the county hasn’t been covered by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio. That’s meant people in those counties haven’t been able to use weather radios to be alerted about important life saving weather information like tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, and flash flood warnings..."
On May 22 of this year, I sent a letter to NOAA officials regarding the tower being offline, and our office staff reached out to the NOAA earlier than that. You can find a copy of my letter here. I stressed to NOAA officials that bringing the tower back online was critical to protecting the safety of residents in Champaign, Piatt, and Macon Counties during severe weather events.
The NOAA responded to my letter a month later and said the tower would be brought back online sometime during this summer. Now, they're saying the tower might not be brought back online until 2021. That is unacceptable.
The inability of NOAA to bring the Champaign County Weather Radio tower back online puts lives at risk. When severe weather like a tornado or flash flood hits, every second counts. I will continue to press NOAA to resolve this issue as soon as possible.
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Constituent Service Update
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***Send me an e-mail or call my offices if you need assistance. We're here to serve you.***
Economic Impact Payments
Over 6 million Illinoisans have received Economic Impact Payments (also referred to as COVID-19 stimulus checks) totaling almost $10 billion. The Payments were authorized under the CARES Act earlier this year, which I supported in Congress.
If you have questions about or need assistance with your Economic Impact Payment, please contact one of our district offices at the e-mail and phone number links above.
The IRS has a website with information about Economic Impact Payments which you can find here.
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Constituent Service Spotlight
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Helping Constituents Cut Through Red Tape |
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“Pantherx pharmacy just called to say Gloria’s prescription went thru due to a plan-sponsored override!! It is good for a year and will cost her nothing! The first month will arrive tomorrow. We are so happy and grateful to everyone including you for efforts on our behalf. So very grateful!”
-Jean, Hillsboro, IL
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Combating Unemployment Benefit Fraud |
Earlier this week, our office announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will be providing the State of Illinois $2.4 million in grant funding to combat Unemployment Insurance (UI) program fraud and recover fraudulent payments. The grant covers new UI programs created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act as well. Our offices have been contacted by constituents who have received unemployment benefits yet never applied.
The COVID-19 pandemic and mitigation efforts forced millions of Americans out of work. That’s why I supported enhanced unemployment benefits and additional support for state unemployment programs in the CARES Act, but many states, including Illinois, were unprepared for the enormous amount of claims, both fraudulent and legitimate. These grant funds from the U.S. Department of Labor will help the Illinois Department of Employment Security crack down on unemployment fraud and make sure benefits only go to those who are eligible.
Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia said this about the grant: "The Department of Labor has made preventing fraud and abuse of the unemployment insurance system a top priority. State workforce agencies are on the front lines in the fight against fraud and abuse, and the funding and resources provided by the Department today will help States protect the integrity of their unemployment insurance programs.”
The State of Illinois will receive $2,041,200 for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and $388,800 for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) to combat fraud and recover improper payments in both of those programs.
Learn more about this grant here.
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Drug-Free Communities Grant Coming to Piatt County Mental Health Center |
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Earlier this week, our also office announced that the Piatt County Mental Health Center's I.M.P.A.C.T Coalition is again the recipient of a Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant through the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The grant award is for the amount of $125,000 and will fund the program from September 30th, 2020 to September 29th, 2021.
The DFC Program was developed to support communities as they mobilize individuals and organizations to prevent youth substance use, based on the premise that local problems need local solutions. At a time when the addiction crisis continues to affect communities across the country, DFC-funded coalitions work to reduce the prevalence of past 30-day use for alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs.
The Piatt County Mental Health Center and IMPACT Coalition are very deserving of this grant award which will allow them to continue their important work in support of our youth. I also want to congratulate The Center on celebrating 50 years of excellent service to their community in 2020.
Tony Kirkman, Executive Director of the Piatt County Mental Health Center, said this about the grant: “Comprised of students, parents, and many respected business leaders, The IMPACT Coalition strives to empower, resource, and educate our community toward the benefits of a substance use-free lifestyle in our youth. We have already seen significant gains on these issues and we are so thankful for this continued funding to make many additional strides in the future.”
Learn more about this grant here.
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Delivering More PPE to Local Hospitals, Nursing Homes, & First Responders |
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From left to right: Carla Bonderharr, Rodney Davis, and Tammy Richmond of Montgomery Nursing & Rehabilitation
This week, we made several Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) deliveries to local hospitals, nursing homes, and first responders. Recipients were:
- Montgomery Nursing & Rehabilitation
- Jerseyville Community Hospital
- Morningside of Godfrey
- Meridian Village of Glen Carbon
- Macoupin County EMA
PPE is vital to protecting first responders and nursing home residents and staff from the coronavirus. The PPE deliveries were made possible thanks to a partnership with John Deere, the United Auto Workers, and Illinois Manufacturing Association. The PPE was donated by John Deere.
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