It is difficult to appreciate how much something as expansive as the U.S. Census can truly impact one’s daily life. It is easy to fall into the trap of viewing it as a large, strange concept rather than a necessary step to determining whether vital programs continue.

So, if you will, join me in imagining how much an undercount could affect a day in the (pre-COVID) life of an average Illinoisan. Let’s call her Mary.

Mary’s alarm goes off at least an hour before the sun comes up. Her 12-hour shift as a registered nurse starts early three days a week. Mornings are a rush, and she’s thankful that her son’s school offers a hot breakfast so she knows he’s had something nutritious to last him until lunch.

She smiles for a second after dropping him off. He’s really been thriving this year, and she believes that’s thanks to the early intervention services he was able to receive during preschool.

The road she takes to work used to be filled with potholes, but the city recently repaved it, and she’s hopeful she won’t have to replace another tire for a while.

On her day off tomorrow, she’s going to visit her mother, who is recovering from a hip replacement surgery. Medicare is covering the cost of in-home services, but she likes to stop in and visit to see how her mother is progressing.

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Senate President Don Harmon's statement regarding the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus' unveiling of its plan to confront racial and economic injustice.

"The Black Caucus is showing us the path to a better Illinois. I look forward to being an ally and helping win approval of needed reforms."

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate President Don Harmon will look into legislative options requiring power plants be put up for sale to see if someone else can successful run them before they can be mothballed.

Harmon offered the following statement regarding Exelon’s announcement that it intends to close two of the nuclear power plants it owns in Illinois.

“Independent market monitors believe these plants can be profitable. I intend to look into legislative options including requiring these plants be put up for sale before they can be shuttered. We owe it to these workers and communities to see if someone else can successfully run these assets.”

OAK PARK – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) announced a grant of $12,500 to fund a mentoring program at Elmwood Park Library.

“Libraries provide a wide array of services to our communities, including valuable programming for young adults,” Harmon said. “This grant will help students gain skills that will set them up for success.”

The funding comes from Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White’s 2021 Project Next Generation grants to 28 public libraries statewide. PNG is a mentoring program created by Secretary White and administered through Illinois public libraries. Project mentors work with middle and high school students as the participants develop skills to use various technologies, achieve success through project-based learning and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal-setting and conflict resolution.

“I am committed to improving the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois,” said White.  “I established this innovative program when I first became Secretary of State to give students an opportunity to receive hands-on experience with the latest technological tools at their local library.”

Projects were awarded grants from the Illinois State Library using federal Library Services and Technology Act funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Grants are awarded to public libraries serving culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations. For more information, visit http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/grants/png.html.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) announced $1.7 million for new energy efficient windows at Triton College in River Grove.

This investment is made possible by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan the Senate passed in 2019.

“Our ability to continue to invest in our communities through the Rebuild Illinois plan is a bright spot in the midst of the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic,” Harmon said. “It is critical that we invest in our educational institutions now so that they are able to serve Illinoisans for years to come as our state recovers.”

The Rebuild Illinois capital plan passed with bipartisan supermajorities and will invest $45 billion in roads, bridges, railways, universities, early childhood centers and state facilities over the next six years, creating and supporting an estimated 540,000 jobs over the life of the plan and revitalizing local economies across the state.