CHICAGO – To discuss updates on the state’s DNA backlog, Senate Public Health Chair Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) will lead a Senate committee hearing Thursday morning.

“A lot has been going on this year, but we have not forgotten about those who are waiting for answers for heinous crimes done to their loved ones,” Van Pelt said. “Illinois State Police have made some advances since our last hearing, and it’s time to check in on the task force recommendations.”

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Driver’s licenses and ID card expirations will be extended until June 1, 2021
White encourages online renewal options
CDL facilities remain open for truck drivers

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is announcing Driver Services facilities statewide will be closed to the public for in person transactions effective Tuesday, Nov. 17 and will reopen on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic. White is encouraging the public to take advantage of online services.

In addition, White announced that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards will be extended until June 1, 2021. This June 1, 2021 extension also includes those who have February, March, April and May 2021 expiration dates. As a result, expired driver’s licenses and ID cards will remain valid until June 1, 2021. CDL (Commercial Driver License) holders and commercial permit holders are excluded from this extension due to federal requirements.

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CHICAGO – Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) today launched a new citywide strategy - “Protect Chicago” - an effort to help Chicago bend the COVID-19 curve for the second time. This strategy calls on all Chicagoans to change their behavior through targeted regulations, strong messaging, and a community-based outreach strategy. If changes are not made by Chicago residents, businesses, and visitors to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the city is on track to lose 1,000 more Chicagoans by the end of the year or even more.

“Chicago has reached a critical point in the second surge of COVID-19, demanding that we undertake this multi-faceted and comprehensive effort to stop the virus in its tracks,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “The gains we have made this past year have been the result of our willingness to work together. Even in this difficult moment, we will continue to unite as we always have for our city in order to halt the rise we’re seeing, shake out of the fatigue we’ve been experiencing, and make the crucial difference in what our future is going to look like.”

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The City of Chicago has begun accepting application for the $10 million Chicago Hospitality Grant Program. Announced by Mayor Lightfoot last week as part of an emergency hospitality relief package, this program will provide grants of $10,000 each to Chicago bars and restaurants that have been greatly impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The application will remain open until 11:59 pm central time on Monday, November 23rd and citywide recipients will be selected via lottery, with a portion reserved for businesses in low- and moderate-income Community Areas. To be eligible, bars or restaurants must be located in Chicago, have no more than $3 million in annual revenues and have experienced at least a 25% revenue loss due to COVID-19. For the full list of eligibility criteria, frequently asked questions and to apply, visit chicago.gov/hospitalityfund. 

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