Illinois lawmakers received an update March 5 on the status of Coronavirus (COVID-19) from state Public Health officials who are encouraging the public to help prevent the spread of the virus.

In other action, residents across Illinois will soon begin receiving invitations to fill out the 2020 census forms. This count of our nation’s population provides critical data that is used to provide resources to communities and determine the number of seats each state will have in Congress.

Also during the week, the Senate approved legislation to let teachers buy back lost retirement benefits, and legislation has been introduced to reduce costs for volunteer firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTS).

Officials encourage public to help prevent spread of COVID-19

The Illinois Department of Public Health briefed lawmakers on COVID-19 on March 5, providing an update about what the department is doing to monitor the situation in Illinois.

So far, only five patients in Illinois have tested positive for COVID -19. The Illinois Department of Public Health, CDC and the Cook County Health Department are proactively reaching out to anyone who may have had contact with these individuals to test for the virus.

Census starting soon

With less than a week to go until homes across Illinois begin receiving invitations to fill out the 2020 census, Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) is reminding constituents what the census is, and why it is essential. Residents will receive an invitation to respond online to the 2020 census between March 12 and 20.

Mandated by the United States Constitution, the census is a count of the United States population that takes place every ten years. The 2020 Census will be the 24th census conducted since 1790.

Billions of dollars in federal funding goes to schools, hospitals, roads, public safety, and other vital programs each year. Not only is participating in the census required by law, but a complete count is important to ensuring your community has funding for these resources.

This year, for the first time, you can take the census online!

Let teachers buy back lost retirement benefits

The Senate has approved legislation that would help teachers who have made the jump from teaching in a private school to teaching in a public school buy back their pension time.

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Reduce costs for volunteer firefighters and EMTs

New legislation has been introduced in the Senate that aims to support volunteer firefighters and EMTS with expenses they incur as part of the public service they provide their communities.

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