HOFFMAN ESTATES – To combat the nationwide shortage of donated blood and potentially help develop a treatment for COVID-19, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is hosting a blood drive Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Vernon A. Laubenstein Town Hall, located at 1 Illinois Blvd. in Hoffman Estates.

“When the pandemic began in March, blood donations dropped significantly, but the need persisted,” said Murphy. “Now, with researchers looking into plasma therapy as a potential COVID-19 treatment, donated blood is in especially high demand.”

All successful blood donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Researchers hope blood containing antibodies—also known as convalescent plasma—may help treat people with severe COVID-19 by boosting their ability to fight the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 17.2 million units of blood are used in transfusions every year for accident victims, cancer patients, hemophiliacs, surgery patients and more. In March, the CDC issued a statement encouraging healthy people to donate blood at blood centers that adhere to public health and safety guidelines.

Murphy has partnered with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois to host the event. To ensure the safety of all staff and donors, masks will be required.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins may be accommodated if there are open slots. To schedule an appointment to donate, visit http://bit.ly/BloodDrive-9-30.

DES PLAINES – Local food pantries will be able to offer fresh, Illinois-grown sweet corn to families in need, thanks to a donation from State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) and the Mercer County Farm Bureau.

Murphy hosted a giveaway Monday, where a truck bed full of sweet corn was distributed to local food pantries and other community organizations serving families in the 28th District.

“Especially during tough economic times, it can be challenging for families to afford the fresh, nutritious produce Illinois farmers offer,” said Murphy. “I’m grateful to the Mercer County Farm Bureau for making sure every member of our community can enjoy delicious, locally grown sweet corn.”

The annual event is hosted in partnership with Mercer County Farm Bureau. Murphy was “adopted” by Mercer County, a western Illinois county bordering the Mississippi River, in 2016 as part of the Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-a-Legislator program, which allows downstate and rural county farm bureaus to “adopt” Chicago and suburban lawmakers to educate urban legislators about agriculture and rural life.

“The goal of Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-a-Legislator program is to foster a better understanding of rural and urban communities within Illinois for both county farm bureau associations and urban legislators,” said Mercer County Farm Bureau President Michael Zecher. “As we learned through visiting her district, one issue we have in common involves providing support for individuals and families in need.”

The following organizations received donations:

• Catholic Charities
• Center of Concern
• Schaumburg Township Food Pantry
• Des Plaines Food Pantry
• Maine Township Food Pantry
• Schaumburg Barn
• Elk Grove Township Food Pantry

Families in need of food assistance can visit www.FeedingAmerica.org to locate a food bank near them.

DES PLAINES – In an effort to provide support to small business owners facing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced 42 local businesses will receive a combined $710,000 through the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.

“When faced with the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our small business community responded with creativity and resilience,” said Murphy. “I’m proud to see so many local establishments on the list of grant recipients, and I hope this funding gives them a boost during these tough times.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded a total of $46 million to 2,655 small businesses in the first round of BIG funding. The BIG program offers grants to Illinois restaurants and bars, barbershops and salons, and fitness centers that have suffered pandemic-related losses, with a focus on businesses in the hardest-hit areas of the state.

First round grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 and may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent and utilities. The funds may also be used to cover pandemic-related expenses, such as PPE, training and new technology.

To ensure ongoing support for Illinois small businesses, the State of Illinois has planned future rounds of funding, including a special program for child care providers. The application deadline for this program is Aug. 14.

“These funds will allow our businesses to focus their efforts on reopening in a way that keeps staff and customers safe,” said Murphy. “While I’m thrilled to see these businesses getting some much-needed assistance, I know there is much more to do to ensure our community fully recovers from this crisis.”

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the COVID-19 economic downturn. The full list of grant recipients is available here.

SCHAUMBURG – Schaumburg Township District Library has received a $28,640 grant to provide mentorship opportunities to disadvantaged middle and high school students, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced.

“When we invest in our youth, the entire community benefits,” said Murphy. “This grant will allow our libraries not only to foster literacy and instill a love of learning in our communities, but also to give the next generation the tools they need to become tomorrow's leaders.”

The grant was awarded through the Fiscal Year 2021 Project Next Generation program, which is a mentoring program administered through Illinois public libraries. Mentors work with middle and high school students to help them develop skills needed to use technology and find success through project-based learning. Mentors also help students develop life skills, such as effective communication, goal setting and conflict resolution.

The Schaumburg Township District Library is one of 28 public libraries in the state to receive the grant.

In all, the secretary of state awarded more than $550,000 in Project Next Generation grants statewide. The money is provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Grants are awarded to public libraries that serve culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations.

“I am committed to improving the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois,” said White. “I established this innovative program when I first became secretary of state to give students an opportunity to receive hands-on experience with the latest technological tools at their local library.”