Illinois State House District 17 issued the following announcement on May 19.
I return to Springfield when the legislative session reconvenes on May 20. This bene my first time back since the pandemic started, and while our session at the Bank of Springfield Center will feel different than the House floor at the Capitol, my priorities remain unchanged. I’m ready to fight for the core values that bind us together.
Over the past eight weeks, we have watched our community come together with strength, compassion and resolve to meet a public health crisis that has caused hardship and heartbreak for too many. Many of you have reached out to share news and ideas that can help our community through this difficult time. We appreciate you.
During these unprecedented times, I will be working to pass a budget that funds our children’s education and ensures that our first responders, healthcare providers and those on the front lines of this pandemic providing state services have the resources they need. We must also ensure that voters can safely make their voices heard in November.
We face tough choices ahead and much work to do. I’m ready. We will be taking precautions in Springfield to keep legislators and staff as safe as possible. I will wear a face mask and will self-quarantine when I return to protect members of my family with underlying risk factors and our community’s safety. As always, I remain committed to getting through these challenging times together.
While we are all doing our best to adjust to the ‘new normal,’ these continue to be difficult times for everyone. Our office is available to assist constituents access government services like unemployment insurance and to answer your questions. On May 5, Governor Pritzker announced a five-phase plan to reopen the state organized by region and guided by health metrics and with distinct business, education and recreation activities characterizing each phase. Details are available on the Restore Illinois page and metrics used to determine reopen phase benchmarks can be found on the Department of Public Health site here.
It is truly an honor to represent the 17th District – our community is characterized by the willingness to pitch in to get things done. I am amazed, but not surprised to learn of hundreds of residents who are volunteering their time and talents to help others, either with a charitable organization and as an individual or family.
We will continue to share information, provide updates and links to resources and take time to highlight good news. To our everyday heroes who have helped your neighbors and community members, thank you. Whether running errands for people who can’t get around, placing signs or banners throughout the community to lift each other up, or simply calling to connect with those at risk of social isolation, every bit helps.
The sacrifices we have made in the last two months have been and continue to be challenging, but you are saving lives.
Illinois has successfully slowed the spread of the virus, and we are making progress towards the next phase of the Governor’s Restore Illinois plan. What we collectively do now will determine when we can safely move to the next phase.
I’m working closely with public health and industry experts to reopen the economy as quickly and safely as possible.
Stay safe. We are all in this together.
Jennifer
Original source can be found here.
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