Dear friend,

There is still time to make sure that we all count as the 2020 Census continues. The census is not just about getting an accurate population count: It’s about getting a real picture of the needs of our community.

The census is the basis the government uses to determine funding for hospitals, schools, roads and public transportation. More money in these areas could help mend racial inequities across the state.

For Black Americans, who are already underrepresented and underserved in many areas, that’s more important now than ever. In the 2010 Census, 9% of Black Americans were miscounted – a rate higher than any other racial or ethnic group in our country. More than that, Black children are twice as likely to be undercounted as children of other races.

Responding to the census and ensuring that we all count is one way Illinoisans can push for social justice, equity and reform in their neighborhoods. It seems like such a small step, but ultimately, missed data can mean missed opportunities to make your neighborhood a better place.

By now, you should have received mail from the U.S. Census Bureau. The letter either contains your household’s Census ID number to be used when filling out the census online at my2020census.gov or the questionnaire itself. If you don’t have a Census ID number, you can still fill out the questionnaire by entering your street address.

We cannot have truly equitable justice without adequate representation—don’t pass up this once-in-a-decade opportunity to make your voice heard. Let’s make sure we all count.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline Collins
State Senator, 16th Illinois Senate District

Dear friend,

Earlier this week, I joined other Black lawmakers in a series of Days of Action throughout Illinois to call for justice and meaningful reform. Black Americans live in constant fear of police misconduct, unequal protection under the law, and being singled out for abuse of authority. The protests throughout the country are showing us that most Americans want change in their communities.

You can see more about these Days of Action by viewing a video here.

We also must not forget that a pandemic is still happening. As the COVID-19 pandemic has dragged on, we’ve learned that people need additional resources – including some that encompass more than health care. Today, I’d like to draw attention to efforts the state has made to expand access to the internet to underserved communities, make COVID-19 testing more widely available, and provide property tax relief.

During this unprecedented time, members of the General Assembly and state agencies are working around the clock to provide you with as much assistance and relief as possible.

Continue reading to learn more about broadband grants, a newly enacted property tax relief measure and expanded COVID-19 testing.

Property Tax Relief

To provide relief and flexibility to property tax owners, the General Assembly passed a law that will defer tax sales and give counties the ability to extend homestead exemptions and waive late fees.

Under this legislation, local businesses and residents would see property tax relief in the form of:

• Empowering county governments to approve 2020 homestead exemptions for those with disabilities, veterans with disabilities and senior citizens, as long as the property had been granted this exemption for 2019.
• Deferring property tax sales.

County assessment officers can still conduct audits of taxpayers claiming an exemption in order to verify the applicant is eligible to receive the senior citizen’s assessment freeze through the homestead exemption.

Read more ...

Let’s utilize the only state testing facility manned by the National Guard on the South Side!

The new Auburn Gresham/Chatham testing site

FREE!

NO INSURANCE REQUIRED!

DRIVE-THRU!

NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY!

Testing helps you know your status, but it also helps protect your community. If you believe you may have COVID-19, or have recently come into contact with someone who has it, a positive test could qualify you for assistance in isolating to protect the health of your friends, loved ones, and coworkers. See details about this testing site below.

Dear friend,

In a long-overdue move, the state of Illinois has created an urgently needed COVID-19 testing site in the Auburn Gresham/Chatham area.

In Chicago, where blacks are 30% of the population, they comprise 70% of those killed by COVID-19, according to a Harvard Business Review report. The first known Illinois person to lose her life to COVID-19 was Patricia Frieson, an Auburn Gresham resident, and her death was soon followed by the COVID-19-related death of Revall Burke, a 17th Ward election poll worker. Auburn Gresham is located in the socioeconomically vulnerable ZIP code of 60620, and community leaders on Chicago’s South Side have been calling for more testing to be made available in the area.

Read on for more information about that new, free coronavirus testing site in the 16th District and opportunities in employment and education.

As always please contact my office with your concerns by calling 773-224-2830 or contacting me through my website here.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline Collins
State Senator, 16th Illinois Senate District

Auburn Gresham/Chatham COVID-19 testing site details

The testing site will be located at Studio Movie Grill, 210 W. 87th St., operating from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., seven days a week.

Read more ...