Driver services facilities to open in June for new drivers and renewals

• Coronavirus

DES PLAINES – To begin to address the volume of expired vehicle registrations, driver’s licenses and ID cards in Illinois, the Illinois Secretary of State will open driver services facilities with limited service beginning June 1, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced Tuesday.

“Closing driver services facilities was necessary to protect workers and customers from the spread of COVID-19,” said Murphy. “Expiration dates have been extended, so you have plenty of time to renew, but I’m glad to see these offices reopening for service now that the curve is flattening.”

All Secretary of State departments and offices will reopen for business starting June 1. Driver services facilities across the state will reopen the first week of June with expanded hours of operation. Through July 31, these facilities will only serve new drivers, customers with expired driver’s licenses and ID cards, and vehicle transactions. Find nearby locations, opening dates and hours using the Secretary of State’s Facility Finder tool.

To ensure current documents remain valid and lessen the rush of customers when these facilities open, the Secretary of State has extended expiration dates for driver’s licenses, IDs and vehicle registrations by at least 90 days after the governor’s disaster proclamation ends. The federal deadline to obtain a REAL ID has also been extended to October 1, 2021.

Residents are still encouraged to visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com to avoid waiting in line and take advantage of online services, including replacements and renewals of registrations, driver’s licenses and ID cards.

Murphy votes for budget supporting homeowners, small businesses

• Budget
• Human Services
• School funding
• Higher education
• Local government
• Coronavirus
• Small businesses

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) released the following statement as the General Assembly passed a budget for the next fiscal year:

“Illinoisans are losing their homes, their health care and their lives as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic—with so many Illinoisans suffering, now is the time for the government to step up and provide the programs and services that people need most.

“This responsible budget includes new programs for rent and mortgage relief, shores up our small businesses, makes our full required pension payment, lends a hand to our local governments and preserves funding for both K-12 and higher education.

“I’m proud to have joined my colleagues in the General Assembly to show our commitment to the fiscal health of our state and its people by not funding a scheduled pay increase for lawmakers like myself—with Illinois facing record unemployment, it would be unjust to increase our own compensation in a time like this.

With this and other smart cuts, we were able to increase funding for the essential human services that are providing assistance to those hurt most by this crisis.

“We’re also taking advantage of every opportunity, including resources from the federal government, to ensure the people of Illinois get the help they need. These are uncertain times with many unknowns, but together, we will build a stronger Illinois.”

Murphy leads local government COVID-19 recovery plan

• Local government
• Coronavirus

SPRINGFIELD – To help guide local governments through the COVID-19 recovery process, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) has sponsored a package of legislation to give municipalities the means to address pandemic-related challenges.

“Especially now, local governments are keeping our communities afloat by managing our regional health departments and providing financial, housing and meal assistance to struggling Illinoisans,” said Murphy. “I hope this legislation can help them continue to provide much-needed services as we look to recover from this pandemic."

House Bill 2096 is an omnibus bill, which:

• Grants townships the option to postpone their annual meetings during a disaster declaration enacted by the governor;
• Clarifies that townships should not count federal stimulus payments toward earned income in determining individuals’ eligibility for General Assistance programs;
• Exempts low-income students from non-resident library card fees to give all students access to library resources, including e-books and online periodicals;
• Allows school construction bids to be communicated, opened and accepted electronically to enable bid discussions to continue during the COVID-19 emergency; and
• Authorizes the Housing Authority of Cook County to enter business arrangements with developers to provide safe and stable housing for low- and middle-income suburban families.

Murphy worked with a bipartisan group of Illinois senators to find solutions to the problems facing local governments as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, with input from the Township Officials of Illinois, the Illinois Municipal League and other stakeholders.

“For weeks, I’ve been meeting virtually with my colleagues in the Senate—of both parties—to discuss how we can best assist our local governments during and after the COVID-19 crisis,” said Murphy. “Together, we were able to come up with these measures to help our communities recover.”

House Bill 2096 passed the Senate Thursday with bipartisan support.

Murphy urges residents to get tested for COVID-19 at new Rolling Meadows testing site

• In the district
• Coronavirus

ROLLING MEADOWS – Residents of the Northwest Suburbs will be able to get tested for COVID-19 safely and easily at a new drive-thru testing site opening May 20 in Rolling Meadows, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced.

“Especially as we start the reopening process, increased testing is one tool we have to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Murphy. “The best way to make sure you aren’t spreading the virus is to get tested. It’s easy and free—if you think you may be at risk of infection, I encourage you to visit this new site.”

The new site will be located in the parking lot of Rolling Meadows High School at 2901 Central Rd. and will offer testing services seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or while supplies last.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms can be tested for the virus without a doctor’s order. You can also get a test if you’ve been in contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19, if you have a compromised immune system or other chronic medical condition, or if you are a front-line worker, whether or not you are experiencing symptoms.

At drive-thru testing sites like the one in Rolling Meadows, patients must remain in their vehicles—walk-ups will not be accepted. Testing is free, but patients will be asked to show photo identification and a health care employee or first responder ID badge, if applicable.

“There are lots of people who need tests, so keep in mind that the wait times at these sites may be significant,” said Murphy. “Please be patient with personnel and the other people in line. We’ll get through this if we work together.”

Testing sites continue to open across the state. For the most up-to-date list of these sites, as well as testing hours and contact information, visit https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/testing-sites.