Secretary of State reopens facilities for new drivers, renewals beginning in June

GLENVIEW – As offices and businesses across the state begin to reopen under new health and safety guidelines, the Illinois Secretary of State will reopen driver services facilities to offer limited services starting June 1, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced Wednesday.

“There’s no rush to get to a facility, since expiration dates have been extended and services are still available online,” said Fine. “But it’s good to see the Secretary of State’s office reopening their facilities with employees’ and customers’ safety in mind.”

All Secretary of State departments and offices will reopen for business starting June 1. Driver services facilities across the state will reopen the first week of June with expanded hours of operation. Through July 31, these facilities will only serve new drivers, customers with expired driver’s licenses and ID cards, and vehicle transactions. Find nearby locations, opening dates and hours using the Secretary of State’s Facility Finder tool.

To ensure current documents remain valid and lessen the rush of customers when these facilities open, the Secretary of State has extended expiration dates for driver’s licenses, IDs and vehicle registrations by at least 90 days after the governor’s disaster proclamation ends. The federal deadline to obtain a REAL ID has also been extended to October 1, 2021.

Residents are still encouraged to visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com to avoid waiting in line and take advantage of online services, including replacements and renewals of registrations, driver’s licenses and ID cards.

Senator Fine votes for budget that funds education, human services

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) released the following statement regarding the General Assembly’s passage of a state budget for the 2021 fiscal year:

“The COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrates that we must make sure all Illinoisans have the tools they need to face critical and unexpected challenges.

“As we navigate post-pandemic life, this budget will provide a strong foundation for Illinois to begin its recovery and give the next generation the support they need to build a better state, country and world.

“As a result of the virus, supportive government services are needed more now than ever before. I support this budget because it provides $871.8 million in additional funding for the human services agencies supporting people through these difficult times, allowing important aid—including SNAP and child care assistance programs—to give people the support they need.

“I’m also pleased to see a budget that acknowledges the importance of preparing every child in Illinois with a quality education. We must ensure our future doctors, scientists, public health experts and lawmakers are able to handle whatever the world throws at them. For that reason, I fought hard to preserve funding for both K-12 and higher education.”

Insurance would cover telehealth services under Sen. Fine plan

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure Illinoisans have access to the care they need without putting health care workers and other patients at risk, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is backing a bill that would require insurance companies to cover health care services delivered over the phone or online.

“Telehealth has been shown to be an effective alternative to conventional in-person care services, and especially during this pandemic, it’s important that we give people the option to stay home if they can,” said Fine. “Health care is evolving as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and insurance companies need to keep pace with changes in service delivery.”

Telehealth services allow patients to access care via email, video conferencing, online chat or a phone call.

Under this bill, patients could receive care via telehealth—including mental and behavioral health care—without a deductible, copay or other cost-sharing requirement until the end of the year. The legislation would also permanently require insurance companies to cover other telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services.

The demand for remote care has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals who need health care services during the outbreak may be able to receive necessary treatment over the phone or online, protecting themselves, their doctors and other patients from potential exposure to the virus.

“Older adults and those with underlying conditions may not want to go into a doctor’s office because of the risk to their and other people’s health,” said Fine. “If insurance covers telehealth services, more people might be able to access the care they need safely during this time.”

House Bill 823 passed the Senate Saturday with bipartisan support.

Senator Fine: Using SNAP to shop online means less risk to health

SPRINGFIELD – To help families shop more safely during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, SNAP recipients in Illinois will be able to use their benefits to purchase groceries online beginning June 2, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced Thursday.

“Being able to order groceries online is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this new function will allow SNAP recipients to shop safely and conveniently for years to come,” said Fine. “I’m glad to see our benefits programs responding not only to current events, but to the changing times.”

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps, currently serves 1.8 million Illinoisans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Online implementation plan, an initiative from the Illinois Department of Human Services which gives SNAP customers the ability to enter their Personal Identification Number to order groceries online.

All SNAP recipients in Illinois will be able to participate in the program, and Link cardholders will be alerted when they can use the card to order groceries online. Customers will not need to call or visit an office, and traditional SNAP purchasing will continue.

“Families shouldn’t have to risk their health to access affordable food,” said Fine. “I’m glad to see that households receiving SNAP benefits will have the same options as any other household to maintain social distancing and keep themselves safe.”

Walmart and Amazon have agreed to accept online orders in Illinois when the program site launches. Any additional grocery retailers interested in joining the EBT Online program can find more information and apply at http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/online-purchasing-pilot.