The governor’s Stay at Home Order means many people are disconnected from their usual social circles. It’s important to continue to follow recommendations from state and federal health officials and stay home as much as possible.

However, there are many ways to feel more connected to your community while practicing social distancing—help out your neighbors safely by donating your dollars, time, or talent to COVID-19 relief efforts.

Senate President Don Harmon outlines ways you can lend a hand below:

Volunteer with Serve Illinois

Serve Illinois connects healthy volunteers with community service opportunities. During the COVID-19 outbreak, several civic and faith-based organizations, especially those organizations that focus on homelessness, meal delivery and senior citizens are in need of extra help. Find a statewide list of volunteer needs here.

Check on your family, friends, and neighbors

Seniors and immunocompromised individuals are at especially high risk during the COVID-19 outbreak. For many of them, simple errands—like going to the grocery store or the pharmacy—may put their lives in danger. Call, text, or video chat your friends and loved ones to ask how you can help. Even if they have everything they need, it could comfort them to hear a friendly voice.

Give blood

Social distancing measures have resulted in the cancellation of many blood drives in the state, but a blood shortage would only worsen the health care crisis we are facing right now. The American Red Cross is looking for healthy, eligible individuals to donate blood. Sign up to donate or volunteer here.

A blood drive will also be hosted at First United Methodist Church in Oak Park on April 20. To sign up to donate, please click here.

Assist your local food bank

With schools closed and many Illinoisans out of work, some households are running low on food. That’s why local food pantries are especially important right now.

Beyond Hunger, an Oak Park-based food pantry, is working to meet the basic needs of the community while keep people safe. The organization is not taking tangible donations at this time, but asks those willing and able to make a financial contribution. To donate, click here or call 708-386-1324.

Donate supplies to first responders

Health care workers across Illinois are in need of personal protective equipment, or PPE. If you or your business would like to donate unopened, factory-made masks, gowns, gloves, or other protective gear, contact Serve Illinois here. Note: The state is not accepting homemade supplies, but your local first responders might be able to use these items—contact them directly for more information.

Do what you can to help others in little ways, too.

• Make sure everyone has access to basic necessities by buying only what you need—no need to hoard.
• Order delivery from local restaurants or buy a gift card from your favorite boutique to keep small businesses afloat.
• Complete the census online or by mail to ensure our communities receive the funding they need.
• Stay home as much as possible to protect others from the spread of coronavirus.

“You shouldn’t be a lawmaker one day and a lobbyist the next.”

– Senate President Harmon

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Senate President Don Harmon echoed Gov. JB Pritzker’s call for ethics reform in the wake of ongoing federal investigations.

In his State of the State address Wednesday, Pritzker said he wanted Illinois to adopt a revolving door prohibition to prevent elected officials from retiring one day and then immediately lobbying their former colleagues.

Harmon offered his support for the idea.

“I’ve long been troubled by the appearance of someone serving as a member of the General Assembly on Friday and becoming a lobbyist on Monday. That’s a problem and one we should tackle,” Harmon said. “You shouldn’t be a lawmaker one day and a lobbyist the next.”

Harmon also applauded Pritzker’s optimistic, positive tone to the speech, which was a marked contrast to the previous governor.

In his State of the State speech, Pritzker referenced a record high 6.2 million jobs in Illinois, the lowest unemployment rate in the state’s history, a litany of fast-growing businesses and renewed interest in the state’s public universities among the successes Illinois experienced in the past year.

“It’s refreshing to have a governor be the lead cheerleader for the state,” Harmon said. “We need a governor telling the rest of the world what’s going right in Illinois.”

Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat, was elected Senate President by his colleagues earlier this month.

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SPRINGFIELD – After representing the people of Oak Park and the state of Illinois for more than 17 years, Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) looks forward to serving as the 39^th Senate president, and thanks his colleagues for recognizing his legislative accomplishments and for believing in his ability to lead the chamber.

“The Senate is a collection of diverse views and diverse experiences but consistent purpose—to best represent the citizens who send us to the Capitol, to collaborate, to compromise, and to create better opportunities, better outcomes, and greater faith in the honor and integrity of our state,” President Harmon said.

Senate President Harmon was first elected to the Senate in the fall of 2002, and has since promoted a progressive agenda based on his commitment to social justice and public service. In 2011, former-Senate President John Cullerton appointed him president pro tempore, offering Harmon a key role in shaping policy and moving legislation through the Senate.

Notable legislation spearheaded by Senate President Harmon include the Preschool for All Program to expand access to preschool opportunities for thousands of Illinois families, a law to make same-day voter registration a permanent option, and the Fair Tax constitutional amendment to allow Illinois to vote to replace the current flat income tax with a fairer, more equitable and efficient approach to lower tax rates for lower income levels.

“The work now begins in earnest,” President Harmon said. “I look forward to joining together with Governor Pritzker and leaders in both chambers as we work to change the trajectory of our state and set a better course for our future.”

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SPRINGFIELD – The rising price of insulin has forced more and more Illinoisans to make a choice between putting food on their family’s table and purchasing medication they need to survive.

State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) praised his colleague State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) for working tirelessly to cap patients’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply.

Harmon co-sponsored Senate Bill 667, which passed the Senate and is headed to the full House for consideration.

“If you have diabetes, insulin is not optional, and no one should have to worry about how they will afford their next prescription,” Harmon said. “I am proud to have sponsored this bill, which will put fewer people’s lives at risk through rationing their supply or seeking a lower quality option.”

About 1.3 million adults in Illinois have diabetes – 12.5% of the state’s population – according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Those people are forced to pay approximately $475 monthly on insulin, the Health Care Cost Institute reports.

“As lawmakers, we are responsible for prioritizing the health and well-being of all residents of Illinois,” Harmon said. “The passage of this measure is a step in the right direction to help thousands of people in need. I urge the members of the House to support SB 667.”

If passed by the House and signed by the governor, who previously pledged his support of the measure, Illinois will be the second state in the country to cap out-of-pocket prices.