Senator Fine to host virtual town hall meeting on vaccine distribution plan

GLENVIEW – To update Cook County residents on the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort and dispel myths about the virus and the vaccine, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) will join local elected officials for a virtual town hall meeting Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

“The vaccine distribution process is underway, and many residents have questions about how, where and when they can get a vaccine,” Senator Fine said. “It’s critical that everyone has accurate, up-to-date information when making a plan to get vaccinated.”

Senator Fine has partnered with a number of Cook County elected officials to host the event, including Commissioners Scott Britton, Larry Suffredin and Pete Silvestri; and State Representatives Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) and Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview).

The discussion will center on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Cook County. The event is not intended for Cook County residents who live in Chicago, Evanston or Skokie, as these municipalities each maintain their own department of public health and have an independent vaccine distribution plan.

The free town hall will be streamed live via Zoom, and registration is required to join. Register at bit.ly/ccvaccinetownhall to receive a Zoom link on the day of the event.

Participants can submit questions ahead of the event by emailing Adam Newman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Senator Fine: Grant to local school will benefit wildlife and students

GLENVIEW – Students at Glenbrook South High School will be able to learn about nature and make a positive environmental impact through hands-on experience thanks to an Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Grant, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced.

“When kids are learning about the world around them, some of the most important lessons take place outside the classroom,” Fine said. “This garden will not only provide a place for native species to thrive—it will give students the chance to get their hands dirty and enjoy nature.”

Glenbrook South High School has been awarded a grant of $623.57 to plant a pollinator garden at the school.

The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Conservation Fund (ICF) to support the development or enhancement of wildlife habitat on the 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.

Funding for the program is provided through donations to the ICF. More than $329,000 in Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant funding has been distributed since the program’s inception.

Applications for the next round of Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Grants will be open soon, with an application deadline of Nov. 30, 2021. More information on applying for the next round of grants can be found on the IDNR website.

Senator Fine: Due to high demand, Glenview COVID-19 testing site will add Sunday hours

GLENVIEW – In response to higher-than-expected demand for COVID-19 testing in the area, the testing site located at Flick Park Field House in Glenview will add Sunday hours to their regular schedule, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced.

“After the holidays and with many people returning to work, residents have been seeking out tests to ensure they’re protecting their families and coworkers,” Senator Fine said. “I’m grateful to see the testing site is responding to our community’s needs by offering more appointment slots.”

Senator Fine partnered with local lawmakers and the Glenview Park District to bring the site to Glenview, which opened Jan. 4. The site is currently open by appointment Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Starting Jan. 17, the site will also be open Sunday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

In its first five days of operation, the site processed 780 tests, allowing the residents who had contracted COVID-19 to seek appropriate medical care and self-isolate to prevent spreading the virus to others.

Testing services are available to all at no out-of-pocket cost. Those who are insured must bring their insurance card, but testing is also available to uninsured Illinoisans with an ID.

“If you traveled or gathered with friends and family over the holidays—even if you don’t feel ill—getting tested is an easy, reliable way to make sure you’re not spreading the virus,” Senator Fine said.

Testing is available by appointment only—sign up for an available time slot at http://bit.ly/flickparkcovid. With questions, contact Northshore Clinical Labs at (773) 570-6510 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Northshore Clinical Labs is not associated with NorthShore University HealthSystem.

Senator Fine backs measure to allow permanent ballot drop boxes

SPRINGFIELD – To allow Illinoisans to participate safely in elections during the pandemic and beyond, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is backing a measure to permanently allow election authorities to accept mail-in ballots via secure drop boxes.

“Voting is a constitutional right not just in the presidential election, but in every election,” Fine said. “Last fall, drop boxes were a great option for older adults, people with underlying conditions and other individuals who chose to vote by mail but wanted to ensure their ballot arrived on time—this measure would ensure that option remains available for future elections.”

The bill would make permanent Senate Bill 1863, a measure passed by the General Assembly in May 2020 that allowed election authorities to establish official ballot drop boxes for the 2020 General Election where voters could submit their mail-in ballots without postage.

Nearly half of those who voted in the 2020 General Election opted to vote by mail, according to the Pew Research Center, including a majority of voters 65 and older.

U.S. Postal Service delays prompted many voters to return mail-in ballots by hand to official drop boxes to ensure they arrived in time.

Election officials across the state stress that drop boxes are a safe, tamper-proof alternative to mailing ballots. The Illinois State Board of Elections recommends drop boxes be placed in highly visible areas and locked at all times, with a limited number of people having access to the key, and state statute requires ballots to be collected at the close of business each day.

The local election authority determines the number of boxes, their locations and when they are accessible. The Illinois State Board of Elections has compiled a list of drop box locations by jurisdiction here.

The bill also extends other voting provisions introduced for the 2020 General Election, including the requirement that election authorities accept mail-in ballots regardless of postage paid by the voter and a measure allowing local election authorities to establish curbside voting.

House Bill 3994 passed the Senate and now heads to the House.