Dear Friend,

I’m excited to announce Illinois has entered Phase 5 of our Restore Illinois recovery plan, meaning all capacity limits have been lifted. We have officially entered our new normal!

Here’s what Phase 5 will look like:

• Businesses across all industries—including bars, restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, live music venues, and indoor and outdoor recreational spaces—can return to full operations for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Festivals, conventions and other large events can resume.
• Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask except where required by local business and workplace guidance.

Find the full list of Phase 5 guidelines here.

Keep in mind: Under Phase 5, masks should still be worn in crowded, high-risk areas, like public transportation, congregate living facilities and health care settings. To protect those around them, unvaccinated people should continue to wear a mask indoors and practice social distancing, and residents who are immunocompromised should consider wearing a mask in settings where others may not be fully vaccinated.

In short, getting vaccinated is your ticket to normalcy. It’s a safe, quick and easy way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the virus—and it’s available to all residents age 12 and older. Find a vaccination site near you and make an appointment today.

Illinois has reached a test positivity rate of less than 2%, with more than half the population fully vaccinated, and hospitalization metrics have been on the decline since early May. These statistics are something to be proud of—Illinois could not have made such positive progress without the help of residents like you, who have masked up, social distanced and gotten vaccinated to protect your community. On behalf of the friends and neighbors you’ve kept safe: Thank you.

As we enter the final stage of our recovery, remember that my staff and I are here to help. For assistance with aid programs, state agencies, grant applications and more, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 773-869-9050 or email us at senatortonymunoz.com/contact-us.

Let’s move forward into this new era, together.

Sincerely,

Tony Munoz
State Senator | 1st District

Dear Friend,

It’s hard to believe, but the spring legislative session is behind us. I’m proud of all we accomplished in Springfield in service of the people of our community, and of Illinois as a whole.

As we take our first steps into summer, I wanted to give you an update on the legislation I championed on behalf of the 1st District: Read on to learn more about measures to help minority-owned businesses win state contracts and make genetic testing more accessible.

But the work doesn’t stop when I leave Springfield. Already, I’ve started engaging community members, talking with advocates and gathering information to inform next year’s legislative agenda. I invite you to contact my office to discuss the issues most important to you—give us a call at 773-869-9050 or email us at senatortonymunoz.com/contact-us to share your ideas.

As always, it’s been an honor to represent you in the Illinois Senate. I wish you and your family a safe, healthy and happy summer!

Sincerely,

Tony Munoz
State Senator | 1st District

Legislative Update

Munoz measure to help minority-owned businesses win state contracts passes Senate

I sponsored legislation for minority- and women-owned businesses to be accepted for participation in the state’s Business Enterprise Program if they have already been certified by Chicago or Cook County’s program.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/2TvNZYu

Munoz advances plan to make genetic medical testing more accessible

I championed legislation requiring biomarker testing — the medical technology used to determine medical risk factors like cancer — to be covered under state-regulated insurance.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/3idsHt9

Restoring Trust in Government

Illinoisans deserve to trust their elected officials to serve the people—not their pocketbooks. I’m proud to announce the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 539, which tightens existing ethics laws and introduces new regulations to prioritize integrity, honesty and trust in our state government. The bill passed unanimously and now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

My Take on the Budget

Munoz supports funding for broadband, education

As we put the pandemic behind us, we have to prioritize getting our communities the resources they need. This year’s budget continues Illinois’ path toward stability with funding for broadband programs that many people depend on for school and work.

I’m also pleased we are increasing education funding for our schools. The budget includes funds for after school programs, which is essential to keep the students active and engaging in a positive way.

Dear Friend,

I’m excited to give you an important update on our state’s pandemic recovery efforts. Parallel to the rest of the state, Chicago will move into the Bridge Phase of our reopening plan—easing capacity limits and allowing for increased business operations in all industries—starting Friday, May 14.

Although this development comes as a relief to many business owners across the state, some are still struggling to cope with pandemic-related losses. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund is now open, offering aid to eligible restaurants, bars and other food service businesses—find a list of covered costs and apply here. For all other types of businesses, the Paycheck Protection Program has been extended to May 31, 2021.

There’s assistance available for families, too. Eligible households may be able to claim a larger federal child tax credit and receive advanced payments as early as July under the American Rescue Plan. Don’t miss out—file your 2020 income taxes by May 17, even if you have no income to report, to qualify.

We couldn’t have made this progress without the commitment and sacrifice of residents like you. Illinois continues to outpace national vaccination rates, and after an alarming uptick earlier this spring, we’ve been able to contain the spread of COVID-19 thanks to diligent social distancing and mask wearing.

We are so close to the finish line, and we need you to help us keep up the fight against this pandemic. If you haven’t already, get vaccinated (all Illinoisans 16 and up are eligible!) and encourage your family and friends to get their doses, too. To make it even easier to protect yourself against this deadly virus, all state-run sites and many private providers are now accepting walk-ins. Find a vaccination site near you.

In just a few short days, our favorite restaurants, gyms and fitness centers, museums, performing arts venues, and more will finally be able to welcome more Chicagoans—and our day-to-day lives will be one step closer to normal.

Thank you for helping us make it to this point. As always, my staff and I are available to assist you and answer your questions. Feel free to reach out at 773-869-9050 or email us at senatortonymunoz.com/contact-us.

I look forward to hearing from you—and maybe even seeing you!—very soon.

Sincerely,

Tony Munoz
State Senator | 1st District

Dear Friend,

With the legislative session now in full swing, I’m excited to offer you an update on what’s happening in Springfield and in our own community.

More than half of adults in Illinois have now received the COVID-19 vaccine, and over 26% are fully vaccinated against the virus—while that’s great news, I’m aware that many Illinoisans are still reeling from the impact on the pandemic on their finances, their jobs and their personal lives.

That’s why I’ve included resources below on assistance for small businesses, child care providers and families to help bridge the gap during this challenging time.

I encourage you to take advantage of these programs or forward the information to a friend, loved one or neighbor who might be able to benefit. We are stronger together—let’s keep looking out for one another and lending a hand where we can.

As always, my office is available to help: Contact us at 773-869-9050 or http://senatortonymunoz.com/contact-us.

Stay well, and I hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

Tony Munoz
State Senator | 1st District

U.S. Small Business Association expands relief programs
There’s help out there for businesses struggling to make ends meet. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund is expected to open soon to provide assistance to eligible restaurants, bars and other food service businesses—prepare your application now. For all other types of businesses, the federal Paycheck Protection Program has been extended to May 31, 2021.

Need assistance with your application? Check out the First Stop Business Information Center.

Illinois child care providers to receive $1.6 billion in federal funds
Throughout the pandemic, essential workers relied on child care providers to keep their children safe while they served on the front lines. The federal American Rescue Plan allocated $1.6 billion to child care providers in Illinois, including $140 million in direct grants. Stay tuned for details and explore the childhood services Illinois has to offer here.

Help Illinois Families program offers wide-ranging relief
Illinoisans facing financial hardship may be eligible for assistance to help pay for food, utility bills, rent and more. The Help Illinois Families initiative is open to all low-income households, regardless of how they have been affected by COVID-19. Find a list of eligibility requirements and complete a pre-application form here.

Donate life: Become an organ and tissue donor
April is National Donate Life Month, a celebration of the lifesaving gift of an organ or tissue transplant. This month, take a moment to educate yourself about organ and tissue donation, and consider signing up for the Illinois Donor Registry—it only takes 30 seconds, and it could change the lives of up to 25 people. Learn more at LifeGoesOn.com.