Murphy moves to reinstate Restore Illinois reopening commission

• Government accountability
• Local government
• Coronavirus
• Small businesses
• Unemployment
• Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission

SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois moves toward a full reopening following the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) wants to ensure the legislature is involved in the decision-making process by reinstating the Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission.

“The Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission gives legislators a chance to raise and address not only our own concerns, but the concerns we’re hearing from individuals in our communities,” Murphy said. “Our involvement in the reopening process is critical to ensuring Illinois’ families and businesses make a full recovery.”

Murphy’s proposal would reenact the Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission, a bipartisan, bicameral commission created last May to monitor and help shape the state’s economic recovery plans after the COVID-19 crisis.

The commission met from July through December 2020, joined by representatives from a variety of state agencies to ask questions and offer feedback to help advance the state’s recovery.

The commission originally sunset on Dec. 31, 2020, but in light of the continuing challenges of the pandemic, Murphy’s initiative would extend the operation of the commission by two years to Jan. 1, 2023.

“From the vaccine rollout to the relaxation of capacity limits, the state faces a lot of important decisions over the next few months,” Murphy said. “The executive branch doesn’t work in a vacuum—the people of Illinois must be heard when plans are being made.”

Senate Bill 632 passed the Commerce Committee Thursday and now heads to the full Senate.

Vaccine appointments in Des Plaines now open to residents in 1B+

• District event
• Des Plaines
• Coronavirus

DES PLAINES – The Cook County Health Department has 16,000 available appointments for residents looking to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is reminding those eligible they can book their dose at the community vaccination site located in the repurposed Kmart in Des Plaines.

“The vaccine is our best defense against COVID-19, and it’s the fastest way we can return to normal,” Murphy said. “For yourself, for your family and for your community—I urge you to make an appointment as soon as you are eligible to receive the vaccine.”

Starting Wednesday, March 24 at noon, the Cook County Health Department is opening county-run sites to people eligible in Phases 1A, 1B and 1B+—that includes residents age 65 and older, front-line essential workers like teachers and police, and people under 65 with underlying medical conditions, such as cancer or kidney disease.

For residents of the Northwest Suburbs, the closest county-run vaccination site is located in the former Kmart at 1155 E. Oakton St. in Des Plaines. The site opened in early March with support from the Illinois National Guard.

All vaccinations are by appointment only. Appointments can be made at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov or by calling 833-308-1988 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Murphy plan would make mental health resources readily available for college staff, students and families

• Higher education
• Mental Health
• Schools
• students

SPRINGFIELD – To ease feelings of stress, anxiety and burnout on college campuses in Illinois, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) has sponsored a new initiative to create an online resource hub geared toward campus mental health.

“As the parent of a college freshman, I know higher education presents a number of unique stressors,” Murphy said. “It’s important that those experiencing mental health conditions have easy access to targeted support.”

The legislation would require the Department of Human Services to maintain a resources page on its website with mental health resources specifically tailored to post-secondary education institutions, their staff, students and families.

Currently, DHS provides digital brochures and links on its website of helpful tools for those who may be dealing with a mental health concern. However, the website does not contain provisions directly targeted to post-secondary education and its communities.

“We know college students suffer high levels of stress and anxiety, but many people aren’t aware that faculty and staff experience similar pressures,” Murphy said. “With the pandemic taking an additional toll on everyone’s mental health, now is the time to make sure our campus communities know help is available.”

Senate Bill 1786 passed the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee and now heads to the full Senate.

Local losses motivate Murphy to introduce pedestrian safety legislation

• Public safety

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure the state is doing its part to keep roadways safe for pedestrians, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) backed legislation to require the Illinois Department of Transportation to look more closely into traffic accidents on state highways that result in the death of a pedestrian.

“Illinoisans deserve to be able to walk to school or work, go for a run, or simply take a stroll around their neighborhood safely,” Murphy said. “If we can identify problem areas on our state highways, we can implement solutions that will save lives.”

The legislation would require IDOT to conduct a traffic study after any fatal pedestrian accident at the intersection of a state highway. The study would include a rundown of potential methods to improve safety at the site, such as design improvements and traffic control devices. The results of each study would be publicly accessible via IDOT’s website.

Murphy was inspired to sponsor the legislation following a series of three fatal accidents in just two years on Miner Street, between Pearson Street and Graceland Avenue, in Des Plaines.

After four people were hospitalized following two separate accidents two hours apart at the location, police conducted a sting operation: Officers in plainclothes walked across the crosswalk and if drivers failed to yield, they were issued a citation. Within a six-hour period, 20 citations were issued.

“With the right safeguards in place, fatal accidents can often be prevented,” Murphy said. “We owe it to those lost and their families to look into accidents and find ways to avoid further tragedy.”

Senate Bill 1791 passed the Transportation Committee Tuesday and now heads to the full Senate.