Murphy to sponsor webinar to help small businesses secure financial aid

• Events
• District event
• In the district
• apply now
• Coronavirus
• Small businesses

DES PLAINES – Small businesses facing financial losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are invited to join a webinar sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. to get help applying for financial aid.

“With the vaccine distribution process now underway, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, but many small businesses are still feeling the pressure of the pandemic,” Murphy said. “There’s still time to apply for funding to help make ends meet.”

Murphy has partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Office of Regional Economic Development at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to host the webinar. State Senators Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) and Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) are co-hosts of the event.

Panelists include Robert Steiner, District Director of the Illinois office of the SBA, who will provide information to small businesses about the federal Paycheck Protection Program and other available resources.

“The application period for the second round of PPP is open now through March 31. If your business is struggling, I encourage you to apply as soon as possible,” Murphy said. “Explore all your options, including PPP, at this upcoming webinar.”

The webinar will be held via Cisco Webex. Register here.

As Deputy Majority Leader, Murphy calls for collaboration, unity

• Reform
• Pension
• Government accountability
• Ethics
• Coronavirus

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) will continue to serve as Deputy Majority Leader of the Illinois State Senate in the 102nd General Assembly.

“It has been an honor to serve as Deputy Majority Leader over the past year, helping guide our legislature through new challenges in light of the COVID-19 crisis,” Murphy said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue this work to help our state come back from the pandemic stronger and more resilient.”

Murphy was appointed Deputy Majority Leader in 2020. In this role, Murphy assists the Majority Leader to work with caucus members on policy issues and help advise them on legislative agendas.

Murphy will also serve as chair of the Executive Appointments Committee.

In the coming months of session, Murphy hopes to help foster bipartisan collaboration on key issues, including closing the state pension funding gap, implementing ethics reform to restore the public’s trust in government, and increasing support for small businesses and families struggling during the pandemic.

“The General Assembly is about give and take. When a bill is filed, it starts a conversation that helps us explore an issue from all sides and find the best solution,” Murphy said. “When we work together, we can bring positive change to the state.”

Murphy urges essential workers, older residents in suburban Cook County to connect with vaccine providers via new website

• Coronavirus

DES PLAINES – To help suburban Cook County residents in Phases 1A and 1B—including health care workers, front-line essential workers and residents age 65 and older—get vaccinated against COVID-19, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is spreading the word about Cook County’s new vaccine distribution website.

“The vaccine is a critical defense against the COVID-19 virus, both for individuals and for our community,” Murphy said. “The more people who get the vaccine, the closer we are to a full recovery.”

The Cook County Department of Public Health launched the COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program to begin vaccinating individuals in Phase 1B of Illinois’ vaccine distribution plan.

Residents of suburban Cook County who think they are eligible to be vaccinated in Phase 1A or 1B are encouraged to visit https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov/ and enter their information to be connected with a vaccine provider. Those without access to the internet can reach the Call Center 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1-833-308-1988.

Phase 1A of the state’s vaccination plan prioritized health care workers. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Phase 1B comprises residents over age 65 and front-line essential workers who carry a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure because they are unable to work from home or their work does not allow for safe social distancing. This includes:

• First responders
• Teachers, principals, classroom aides and other school staff
• Food and agriculture workers
• Manufacturing workers
• Corrections officers and inmates
• Postal workers
• Public transit workers
• Grocery store workers
• Shelters and day care staff

Given data showing people of color die of COVID-19 at younger ages, Illinois lowered the CDC-recommended age eligibility by 10 years, from age 75 to age 65, to provide more equitable vaccine access to older Illinoisans.

Illinois has 1.3 million people who qualify as front-line essential workers and 1.9 million adults age 65 and over, totaling an estimated 3.2 million Illinoisans eligible to be vaccinated in Phase 1B.

Murphy: No plans to slow down in second term as state senator

SPRINGFIELD – Improving the state’s educational resources, restoring the public’s trust in government and fighting for middle-class families remain priorities for State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), who was sworn in to her second full term Wednesday, Jan. 13 at the Capitol.

“I’m honored to have the confidence of the people of the 28th District, and I pledge to continue representing them faithfully in the Illinois Senate,” Murphy said. “Over the past five years, I’ve made it my mission to push for government transparency and accountability, affordable education for all, and better support for working families in Illinois—and I have no plans to slow down.”

Murphy was appointed to the Illinois State Senate in 2015 and stood for election in 2016 and 2020. The 28th Senate District neighbors O’Hare International Airport and includes all or parts of Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Roselle and Schaumburg.

In 2020, she was appointed Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate.

“Working in the General Assembly means engaging in conversations and negotiations with my fellow lawmakers to come up with solutions we can all stand behind,” Murphy said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to continue this work and make sure the Illinois government is truly serving the people of this great state.”