I would like to first highlight the ever-pressing issue of missing persons in our state. Black women, especially Black transgender women continue to go missing without much attention paid to these cases. Transgender activist and neighbor Elise Malary's case has gotten more attention than most and that is a credit to her family and friends for refusing to accept less. Elise Malary has been missing since March 9th. She is an Evanston neighbor and has worked tirelessly as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in our city and specifically in my district. My office along with Senator Simmons' office recently called on the Illinois State Police (ISP) to deploy as many resources as possible to the Evanston Police Department. Anyone with information on Elise Malary’s whereabouts to contact Evanston Police Detective Bureau at 847-866-5040. In addition, we've asked the ISP to look into the case of Sheena Gibbs, 40, who has also been missing for over 100 days and was last seen in Rogers Park. I'm also proud to have worked with Representative Kam Buckner on a bill to address the lack of resources dedicated to the cases of missing and murdered women.

Next week begins the sprint to the finish of our truncated spring session. Friday is the deadline for Senate bills in the House to get through House committees. I am pleased to be working with advocates for sexual assault survivors on a pair of bills addressing the needs of survivors in the criminal justice system and will be presenting both SB3023 and SB2942 in committee next week. If you’re interested in following our work, the committee schedule, meetings, and bill assignments are posted here.

Our Loyola Ramblers lost to Ohio State Buckeyes this Friday in their first-round NCAA game. Sister Jean traveled with the team to help provide that spark and luck that she is most famous for. The Ramblers unfortunately could not pull out the win. However, very proud of this team and all they represent for our community. Great season boys!

COVID-19 cases continue to decline in Illinois. COVID-19 patients in hospitals continue to decline. As of Wednesday night, the state was averaging 546 COVID-19 hospitalized patients as compared to the records set during this surge when we were averaging more than 7,300 hospitalizations. As shown in the graph above from IDPH's website hospitalizations have dropped even further. As of this week, the state's test positivity rate has hovered around 1.4% which is a slight increase from last week.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently has noticed an uptick in cases throughout the world. COVID cases and hospitalizations are starting to rise in other parts of the world. China is in the midst of facing its worst wave since the start of the pandemic. However, Europe has even seen an increase in its COVID case rate. In the past what occurs in Europe has been a warning for what is to come here in the U.S. The lifting of the coronavirus measures and the "stealth" subvariant of the omicron variant known as BA.2 may be a major driver of this according to what is being reported. Being vaccinated and boosted is critical to limit the major impacts of future pandemic waves we are to face as new variants come along.

To find a vaccine clinic within the City of Chicago click here.

For questions or info regarding COVID-19 testing click here.

Statewide Totals: 3,053,185 confirmed cases, 33,198 deaths and tests performed 56,328,379

Hotline: 800-889-3931

Email: dph.sick@illinois.gov

Hotline: 312-746-4835

Email: coronavirus@chicago.gov

The website is live. Constituents living in eligible zip codes can go to www.AccessCovidTests.org to order a free test kit.

The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate has created a series of checklists to help you prepare to do your taxes. See the checklists below.

The City of Chicago is offering free, confidential tax help, partnering with Ladder Up. Volunteer tax preparers who are trained to assist you can help complete and electronically file Federal and Illinois tax returns for 2021 and years prior in some circumstances. They also can help determine if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), and other tax credits.

The tax filing deadline is Monday, April 18. For more information, visit www.taxprepchicago.org or call (312) 588-6900 to schedule an appointment.

IDES has released this statement in regards to the 1099-G tax forms. For a FAQs sheet from the IDES on all your questions related to the 1099-G form, click here. For an information packet on how to navigate your ILogin account, click here.

Any K-12 students and their families who need help understanding their school rights can call the helpline at 773-800-0338. SUFEO Chicago also offers free know-your-rights trainings and education law workshops to students, families, and service providers-both virtually and in-person. You can contact SUFEO's Outreach Coordinators Sarah Bianchi and Brittany Haracz at sufeo-chicago@luc.edu with the subject line "Outreach Inquiry" for more information. 

This initiative remains available for all qualifying households with low income, regardless of how they may be affected COVID-19.  The last day to apply online with the Request for Services form is April 15. After that date you can still apply through your local administering agency through May 31, 2022.

To learn more and to fill out a new application, visit helpillinoisfamilies.com.

Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2023 or until funds run out. You can apply online here or call the hotline at 1-(833)-711-0374.

Operating in partnership with the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA), who operates the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the UBR program will utilize their expertise and extensive network of partner organizations to conduct outreach and enroll homeowners. For more information and how to apply, visit here.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward recently hosted a town hall meeting where a proposal to modify the traffic to flow one-way northbound on Glenwood between Pratt and Devon consistent with the traffic pattern south of Devon was discussed due to all the issues that have occurred with the street.

Alderwoman Hadden's office is seeking feedback and suggestions on the plans. Please take a moment to complete a short online survey to share your experiences and ideas. The survey can be completed at bit.ly/GlenwoodFeedback. The feedback form will close on March 20. 

For more info please click here.

This was a project started by Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, Rogers Park Business Alliance, and Loyola University Chicago that came together to identify ways to encourage economic growth along the Devon Business Corridor.

Please visit the website at ElevateDevon.com and subscribe to the newsletter to ensure that you receive updates and information on how to share your thoughts and feedback.

For more information and how to apply, visit www.chicagobuilds.org.

Alternatives, a local youth-serving organization, is hiring for a variety of positions. Staff works throughout Chicago to deliver programs, both in schools and within the communities, and has two youth centers-one in Uptown and one in Washington Park. Open positions and more information can be found here.

Tasting India, a woman-owned small business based in Chicago, is looking to hire a part-time professional assistant to provide admin support for the founder. They are seeking someone proactive, highly organized and detail-oriented, with great verbal and written communication skills and a roll up your sleeves, team-player, go with the flow attitude. This position requires about 20 hours a month, and candidates must be local to Chicago and have a car. 

Please send your details with relevant experience to tastingindiainfo@gmail.com.

Territory NFP is seeking a Design Director to support the Executive Director and Program Manager in creating a design rich environment for teens to thrive, and cultivating a design practice model that reflects Territory’s values. This position includes the creation of program content, execution of design thinking processes, and collaborative engagement with program teens and community partners. For more information and how to apply, visit here.