Modifications to Governor Pritzker's Stay at Home Order

The new executive order will include the following modifications effective May 1:

OUTDOOR RECREATION: State parks will begin a phased re-opening under guidance from the Department of Natural Resources. 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 HERE. Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and when ensuring that social distancing is followed.

NEW ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES: Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may re-open as essential businesses. These stores must follow social distancing requirements and must require that employees and customers wear a face covering. Animal grooming services may also re-open.

NON-ESSENTIAL RETAIL: Retail stores not designated as non-essential businesses and operations may re-open to fulfill telephone and online orders through pick-up outside the store and delivery.

FACE COVERINGS: Beginning on May 1, individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they can’t maintain a six-foot social distance. Face-coverings will be required in public indoor spaces, such as stores. This new requirement applies to all individuals over the age of two who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering or a mask.

ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURING: Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing, as well as follow new requirements that maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers. This will include occupancy limits for essential businesses and precautions such as staggering shifts and operating only essential lines for manufacturers.

SCHOOLS: Educational institutions may allow and establish procedures for pick-up of necessary supplies or student belongings. Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social distancing.

Koehler urges Illinoisans to take advantage of student loan payment relief

PEORIA— In an effort to help people struggling to pay their student loans during the unprecedented economic challenges facing the state and country, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) highlighted relief options that could benefit nearly 140,000 Illinoisans.

“It’s no secret that people across the state are facing a great deal of uncertainty regarding their futures,” Koehler said. “Adding student loan payments to the already heavy burden that has been placed on their shoulders doesn’t sit well with me, and I’m glad that the State of Illinois has prioritized offering relief to those who are anxious about these looming payments. I urge those who have been impacted to reach out to their loan providers to discuss alternate repayment options.”

Under the initiative, spearheaded by Gov. JB Pritzker and Secretary Deborah Hagan of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, people with commercially-owned Federal Family Education Program Loans or privately held student loans who are having a hard time making their payments due to COVID-19 will be eligible for expanded relief.

Borrowers who need assistance are asked to immediately contact their student loan provider to set up a plan.

Relief options are based on a person’s individual needs and include:

• Providing a minimum of 90 days of forbearance,
• Waiving late payment fees,
• Ensuring that no borrower is subject to negative credit reporting,
• Ceasing debt collection lawsuits for 90 days,
• Working with borrower to enroll them in other borrower assistance programs, such as income-based repayment.

If a person is having problems contacting their student loan servicer, they can contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Banking at 217-785-2900 or the attorney general’s student loan helpline at 1-800-455-2456.

Koehler offers disinfectant to local businesses and organizations

PEORIA – To provide a boost in community sanitation efforts, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is offering local businesses and organizations an opportunity to acquire a supply of disinfectant from Patho Sans, a company based in Glendale Heights, Illinois.

“Because our new normal requires us to be proactive, it’s essential to provide businesses and other community organizations with the tools to maintain a sanitary work space,” Koehler said. “In addition to providing surface disinfectant, my office is seeking donations of hand sanitizer, masks and other personal protective equipment. Anyone who has an abundance of these materials is being urged to contact my office so we can get them in the hands of those in need.”

The disinfectant is a surface cleaner and comes in five-gallon containers, which will include a pouring spout and some spray bottles. There is a 30-day shelf life, so businesses and other interested organizations would need to determine what is necessary for a 30-day supply.

Please reach out to Senator Koehler’s district office at 309-677-0120 if your organization is interested. There is a limited supply, and materials will be provided on a first come first serve basis.

Koehler: For low income communities, an accurate census is crucial

PEORIA–Citing the widespread effect it will have on funding for everything from infrastructure projects to school funding, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) urged residents to take time to complete the census Friday.

“In order for our communities to receive the crucial federal funding we rely on, we must make sure every single person is accounted for,” Koehler said. “If the only people responding are in the middle and upper class, that’s where the funding is going to go. We need to make sure those who live in communities that may be struggling are represented fairly. I urge everyone to take part in this process so we have an accurate census count and can give our communities a much-needed boost from adequate federal funding.”

The census is safe, secure and confidential. A letter residents should have received in the mail contains their household’s Census ID number, which is used when filling out the census online at my2020census.gov.

Responses will help each community — from influencing highway planning to determining how money is distributed to public school programs. By filling out the census, residents help ensure their communities get the resources they need.