State of Illinois Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates - Click Here

Welcome

Dear Friend,

Thank you for visiting my legislative website. It is my honor and pleasure to represent much of Will County as the State Senator for Illinois’ 43rd Senate District. 

Here you can find information about the 43rd District, access local and state resources, and keep up to date with what’s happening at the Capitol. I hope you’ll find this website useful.

Please feel free to contact me at either of my offices with questions, concerns or ways I can better serve you.

Sincerely,

     State Senator Pat McGuire
     43rd Legislative District

With Tier 2 coronavirus mitigations set to begin, McGuire says: Think of America's heroes

JOLIET – State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) issued the following statement today after Gov. JB Pritzker announced Illinois’ Region 7, which includes the Joliet area, will institute Tier 2 coronavirus mitigations following days of elevated numbers of positive cases.

“We all need to change our ways to stop this pandemic. I'll be the first to admit that's inconvenient,” McGuire said. “But please think of America's heroes, our first responders and health care workers. Their risk goes up as the number of COVID-19 cases goes up. Let’s reduce their risk. Wear a mask, wash hands frequently, and observe six feet of social distance.”
 
In addition to all the same measures under Tier 1 mitigation which are already in place, Tier 2 mitigations also restrict the size of gatherings, with parties of guests at restaurants and bars reduced to a maximum of six people, sports spectators reduced to either 25 people or 25 percent of maximum capacity (whichever is lower), and gatherings like weddings and funerals restricted to no more than 10 people.

Those seeking more information on what Tier 2 mitigations entail for the Joliet area can read more here: https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/restore-illinois-mitigation-plan

Category: Uncategorised

COVID-19 Resurgence Mitigation Economic Assistance for Employers and Employees

Resurgence Mitigation Economic Assistance for Employers and Employees

October 30, 2020

Hello,

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has awarded Business Interruption Grant (BIG) funding to 30 businesses and non-profit organizations in Senate District 43 to help offset revenue lost due to efforts to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants range from $5,000 to $150,000.

The application period for BIG funds remains open and is explained below. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis.

I encourage business owners and non-profit leaders to utilize the state and federal resources explained in this letter. I encourage laid-off employees to utilize state unemployment insurance. I ask everyone please to wear a mask, frequently wash their hands, maintain six feet of social distance, and observe all other preventive measures.

Please call (815) 207-4445 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

SenatorPatMcGuire

Pat McGuire

State Senator, District 43

Read more ...

Category: Community Resources

McGuire urges COVID-19 cooperation, offers economic assistance and unemployment insurance guides

JOLIET – State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) encourages businesses and nonprofit organizations to utilize state and federal economic assistance as a COVID-19 surge threatens Illinois residents and hospitals.

“We all must sacrifice to protect one another,” McGuire said. “The price of sacrifice varies. It costs next to nothing to don a mask, wash one’s hands frequently and maintain six feet of social distancing. But for impacted businesses and nonprofits, including bars and restaurants, the sacrifice is considerable. Yesterday 30 businesses and nonprofit groups in Senate District 43 were awarded state Business Interruption Grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000. BIG funding is awarded on a rolling basis. It’s not too late to apply.”

Step-by-step guides to apply for state and federal economic assistance as well as unemployment insurance are available at McGuire's website at this link.

McGuire has emailed the same information to District 43 chambers of commerce and local units of government. McGuire’s district office can be reached at (815) 207-4445 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Category: Uncategorised

Testimony: Lack of diversity among teachers harms Illinois students

Senate hearing reveals need for more teacher training, easier access to scholarships to close racial gap in profession

 
SPRINGFIELD – Teachers in Illinois have increasingly come to look like just one demographic, and it’s ultimately bad for all students in general and students of color in particular, according to just one line of testimony at a joint meeting of the Illinois Senate Education and Higher Education Committees Wednesday.
 
Illinois Higher Education Committee Chair Pat McGuire and Senate Education Committee Chair Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant led the committee, which met virtually.
 
John Cusick, Legislative Director of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, said teachers see a direct connection between educator preparation and the effort to address systemic racism. Cynthia Riseman Lund, also with IFT, said teacher diversity in Illinois has gotten less racially and ethnically diverse, and more female, a development which has lead to an adverse effect on students, including male students of color.
 
Testimony at the virtual hearing Wednesday also focused on how access to scholarships and aid for prospective teachers contributes to their ability to finish college and enter the teaching profession. 
 
The hearing also focused on why the performance gap between white students and students of color persists. Partnership for College Completion’s Kyle Westbrook said Illinois community colleges still have wide completion rate disparities between Black and Latinx students and white peers, and that colleges are more likely to place Black and Latinx students into developmental education, where students are less likely to graduate.
 
“Today's testimony revealed a dreadful cycle. A paucity of Black male teachers restrains student achievement, yet Black males seeking to become teachers encounter many impediments in pursuit of a teaching degree. Thank goodness we learned today that there are remedies. Our task now is to put them in place,” McGuire said.
Category: Uncategorised

More Articles ...

  1. Schools to remain closed, governor says
  2. A site for centralized COVID-19 resources
  3. McGuire urges people to donate blood, register as organ donors during National Donate Life Month
  4. Information from United Way of Will County on COVID-19 response

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COVID19 Updates

 

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Office Info

District Office:
16151 Weber Road, Suite 103
Crest Hill, IL 60403
(815) 207-4445

Springfield Office:
417C Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8800