SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham has introduced a measure to make home services more available and affordable, helping older adults and people with disabilities continue to live in their own homes.

“Older adults should have every opportunity to live in their own homes as long as possible,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “And, people with disabilities deserve to live independently whenever possible.”

Cunningham’s legislation would allow home care aides, rather than nurses, to perform certain basic tasks that don’t require medical expertise. For example, they would be allowed to bathe their clients, apply topical prescription ointments, assist with eating, and apply prescription hair treatments.

Read more ...

CHICAGO – As Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan goes into effect, State Senator Bill Cunningham is encouraging eligible local residents to sign up for COVID-19 vaccination.

“To help get our lives and our economy back to normal, everyone who can needs to get vaccinated,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “That’s the key step we need to take to be able to spend time with our loved ones, shop, eat in crowded restaurants, and attend movies and live sports again.”

Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan expands vaccination eligibility to everyone over age 65 and front-line essential workers. As supplies of the vaccine are still limited, not everyone will be able to get vaccinated immediately, but Cook County has established a waitlist. Anyone who falls into Phase 1A – health care workers and residents in long-term care facilities – also remain eligible.

Read more ...

CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham is congratulating the Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens in Palos Heights on winning a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to give local 6-8 graders experience with prairie restoration.

“I want to thank the Lake Katherine Nature Center for giving local students the opportunity to experience nature and learn about Illinois’ natural history,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “I also appreciate their efforts to restore our natural environment for the public to enjoy.”

The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Fund to support the development or enhancement of wildlife habitat on school grounds or other public places. Projects funded by these grants are meant to teach children that their actions can make a difference in the world while increasing the use of native plants in Illinois.

Read more ...

SPRINGFIELD – During the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring, the Illinois General Assembly passed a law offering additional workers’ compensation protections to first responders and essential workers. Today, State Senator Bill Cunningham led the Illinois Senate in passing a measure to extend those protections by six months.

The law allows essential workers and first responders to file for workers’ compensation benefits if they contract COVID-19 during the course of their employment – providing them with additional economic support while they recover from the illness. Employers have an opportunity to rebut workers’ claims by demonstrating they followed all applicable public health guidelines.

“This law was a fair compromise that protects workers without unduly burdening businesses,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “It encourages businesses to protect their employees to the best of their ability and gives workers who aren’t protected more resources to help them recover.”

Read more ...