Emergency Rental Assistance Program

• Grants

During the Stay at Home Order, Gov. JB Pritzker placed a moratorium on evictions to protect vulnerable residents struggling to pay their rent. The moratorium has since been extended to Aug. 22, but many Illinoisans are at risk of homelessness when it expires.

For a brief period this month, the Illinois Housing Development Authority is offering support to renters through the Emergency Rental Assistance program.

With a total of $150 million in funding, this is the largest rental assistance program in the nation. Recipients will receive up to $5,000 in aid, but the funding is limited and we still need help from the federal government to protect the livelihood of more Illinoisans.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must have fallen behind on their rent since March 1 and must be able to demonstrate income losses as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Individuals who have received prior pandemic-related rental assistance from the government—including the relief program administered by the City of Chicago—are not eligible. However, if you have applied for another government program and have not yet been approved, you may still apply.

Please note: You will need a government-issued photo ID and your landlord’s email address to apply. For more information about eligibility and required documents, find helpful resources at ERA.IHDA.org or call IHDA toll-free at 1-888-252-1119.

Applications open Aug. 10 at 9 a.m. and will be available at ERA.IHDA.org. The application period will close no later than Aug. 21. However, it may close earlier if IHDA receives an overwhelming number of applications, so apply as early as you possibly can. Successful applicants will be notified within 2-3 weeks of submitting their forms.

While applications are only available online, community partners are available to help people who cannot complete an application over the internet. A list of these partners will soon be available in the Resources section of the program’s website and via the toll-free number.

With questions about this program or other resources that may help you cope during these exceptionally tough times, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (708) 632-4500 or http://senatorlightford.com/contact-us.

Lightford protects workers under new law

• Labor

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) led a measure that was signed into law today to expand disability benefits for some frontline state employees, protect retail workers from assault, and allow horse racetrack casino, or racino, employees to organize.

“As we continue to adapt to the changes forced on us by the current pandemic, we have to also create a response that addresses the long-time issues it has exacerbated,” Lightford said.

“Our essential workers put their lives at risk for us to stay safe, and it is clear that we have to continue to do better to protect working class people with a renewed commitment to providing basic rights for everyone.”

Certain state employees, including firefighters, law enforcement and paramedics, would be eligible for an additional 60 days of paid disability leave if their injury recovery has been hindered by difficulties accessing treatment due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Read more …

Become a CSU Rise Scholar

What is a Rise Scholar and how do I join?

All full-time freshmen students who successfully complete Rise Academy are designated as Rise Scholars, and receive a full tuition and fees scholarship for the 2020-21 academic year. It is simple to become a Rise Scholar. First, apply for undergraduate admissions for fall 2020. Second, once you are admitted to the university, register for Rise Academy. For any questions on getting started, contact our Admissions Office at 773-995-2513 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Rise Scholar Benefits

Scholarship: Rise Scholars receive a full-tuition and fee scholarship after accounting for grants and scholarships for the academic year 2020-21 starting in the fall. Textbooks and the campus health care plan are included.

Personal laptop: Chicago State will provide each student with a personal laptop to use during their undergraduate years. Internet access is also covered.

College community: Spend time getting to know your college classmates, your professors, and advisors and other people on campus who can help support your college journey. We are excited to get to know you and welcome you into your Chicago State University family!

Advising and workshops: Rise Scholars will stay on track with ongoing individual advising appointments and academic skills and career workshops through each semester. No Rise Scholar is alone: your advisor is there for all of your challenges and concerns.

More information: https://www.csu.edu/risescholars/

Lightford reinstated as ILBC Chair

• ILBC

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) has been reinstated as Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus after a vote that rejected her resignation that was submitted in May.

“Since I initially offered my resignation as Chairman of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, the world has changed.

“We find ourselves at a moment in time that will be well recorded in our history books. Black voices are at the front lines of a movement demanding an end to systematic racism and oppression across our country, sometimes putting their livelihoods, and in some cases their lives, in jeopardy.

“And here in Illinois we too have a historic opportunity before us to bring about change, but it will not last forever.

“I am proud that there are many young members and strong leaders who will be in a position to take the reins of leading our caucus in the near future, but for now I have agreed to rescind my resignation as Chairman. I’m humbled to accept the support of my fellow members to step back in as their chairman.

“Our caucus is more united today than ever. We are ready to work together and build a comprehensive plan to address laws and policies throughout state government that were built on a foundation of systemic racism and have disproportionately impacted the communities we serve.

“And while we are state senators and representatives, we are Black men and women first. We know better than anyone of the deep-seeded inequities that face our communities. The pandemic exposed deep cracks in our system for all to see, ones that we live with every day. Now we find ourselves at an unprecedented time where we can leverage the exposure of these deep cracks to bring about change during veto session and beyond.

“We are united in addressing four pillars of issues where change is desperately needed:

1. Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
2. Healthcare and human services
3. Economic access, equity and opportunity
4. Education and workforce development

“I will be working to lead our caucus in developing this comprehensive plan and see it through veto session, while preparing to pass on the baton by the end of the year. I'm proud to have spent my legislative career fighting for change and taking on tough and difficult issues facing Black communities. This moment in time has renewed my passion for this kind of work in a profound way and I am very excited to get down to business with our caucus to see this through. I want to thank every member for the time they are committing to put into this work and for their graciousness in welcoming me back into this role.”