Press Releases

GRAYSLAKE — State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is highlighting the Illinois Department of Human Services’ new mental health programs to help people who need additional resources for crisis support, housing and community care during their times of need.

“People are facing additional stressors right now, and it’s important to provide them with the help they need,” Bush said. “These new programs will help more people who may not get the best results from traditional mental health programs, so they can receive help in a more community-based approach.”

IDHS announced three new mental health programs to provide additional support for Illinoisans. The agency worked with community mental health centers and non-traditional service providers to develop capacity and to deliver clinical services and non-traditional supports.

The first new program — pegged as the Living Room Program — is designed specifically for those in need of a crisis respite program to divert crises and break the cycle of psychiatric hospitalization. It provides a safe, inviting, home-like atmosphere where people can calmly process a crisis event while learning how to avoid a future crisis.

The Transitional Living Centers Program is a housing resource for people who have mental illnesses and who are in need of an immediate place to stay while they work to find permanent housing.

Additionally, the Transitional Community Care and Support Programs are for people who are currently in IDHS State Operated Psychiatric Hospitals and preparing to be discharged. It will include funding for non-traditional supports, such as cell phones, food, clothing, transportation, and other resources that are necessary for individuals to succeed as they transition back into communities.

Individuals seeking help from the Living Room Program may seek help directly or be referred by first responders or medical professionals. Participants of the other two programs will be referred by IDHS and other providers.

For more information and to find additional mental health resources, click here.

ZION — The unsafe alley between the 2100 and 2500 blocks of Joppa Avenue in Zion will be repaired after the city received nearly a million dollars in state grants, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) announced Wednesday. 

“Ambulances, police and other first responders have struggled to access this alleyway for years, and this reconstruction project will now allow first responders to best serve Zion residents who live in the area,” Bush said. “Working together with Mayor Billy McKinney and the city council we were able to identify and fund much-needed project.”

The Joppa Avenue alley has deteriorated to the extent it’s no longer accessible to emergency vehicles, such as police and fire, resulting in families in the area not receiving the help they need in a timely matter. The city will resurface the alley and replace storm drains, so stormwater stops collecting. The $914,000 worth of repairs is coming from the Build Illinois Bond Fund.

“Zion’s partnership with State Senator Bush and Representative Mason has put the city at the top of the list for state investments, and we appreciate their hard work,” McKinney said. “I have traveled to Springfield frequently since I have been elected and continue to be in regular communication with our outstanding legislators.”

Other Zion-based projects for Fiscal Year 2021 include: 

• $750,000 for costs associated with a grant to Zion School District 126 for costs associated with improvements for Zion Benton Township High School.

• $550,000 for a grant to Northpoint Resources for costs associated with renovations to the North Pointe Group Homes in Zion.

• $100,000 for a grant to the Safe Place in Zion for costs associated with infrastructure improvements, including security system and upgrades.

• $195 million for critical infrastructure projects in Lake County, including $122 million for regional stormwater management projects to reduce flood damages and restore and enhance the natural drainage system in Zion and other communities. 

GRAYSLAKE — In partnership with the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Job Center of Lake County, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) and State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Graylsake) will host the state’s first legislative-led virtual job expo the week of Aug. 24.                                                                            

“Now more than ever, we need to be highlighting employers that can and want to bring on new employees. This job fair has over the years connected hundreds with jobs, and with Senator Bush, we intend to continue to help those in Lake County seeking work,” Schneider said. 

“We have helped hundreds of Lake County residents find work over the eight years of hosting a job fair — and we will not let the pandemic stop that,” Bush said. “At a time of hiring freezes and layoffs, I am dedicated to helping the hardworking people of Lake County find not just jobs — but careers.”

Each day throughout the week of Aug. 24 at 1 p.m., a panel of employers from different job sectors will explain their open positions and company benefits as a virtual webinar via Zoom. 

The program will be moderated by Bush and Schneider, and job seekers can ask their questions. All job openings discussed during the webinars will be posted on a IllinoisJobLink.com and linked to the virtual job expo.

The themed days are as follows:

• Monday: Manufacturing
• Tuesday: Transportation, Distribution, Logistics (TDL)
• Wednesday: Healthcare
• Thursday: Professional Services
• Friday: Other

To prepare people for the hiring process, the Job Center of Lake County will also host workshops ahead of the job expo to give people tips for seeking work during a time of social distancing and teach people how to build a customized resume that will stand out to employers.

The “Job Search Resources in a Rough Market” workshop will be held Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. Registration can be found here.

The “Your Personal Brand and Resumes” workshop will be held Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. Registration can be found here.

Registration for the virtual job expo can be found here.

Anyone with questions should contact Senator Bush’s office at 847-548-5631 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Congressman Schneider’s office at 847-383-4870.

GRAYSLAKE — State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is warning Illinoisans about possible unemployment debit card fraud after multiple reports of people receiving cards they didn’t apply for.

“There are so many people struggling to get legitimate unemployment benefits right now,” Bush said. “It’s sickening that there are people taking advantage of other people’s problems to perpetrate scams at a time like this.”

According to a recent report from ABC7 in Chicago, multiple people have received unemployment benefits even though they never applied for them. The Arlington Heights Police Department said it received nearly 20 reports in four days, and it’s working with the Illinois Department of Employment Security to get to the bottom of it.

People who receive a debit card in the mail they didn’t apply for should do the following:

• Don’t activate the card
• Contact the bank and report fraud
• Report it as fraud to IDES
• Freeze their credit report
• Check their bank balances online
• File a police report

“Fraud and identify theft are real problems that need to be taken seriously,” Bush said. “If you suspect that you’re a victim of these crimes, report it immediately.”

People who believe they are a victim of this fraud should contact their local police department or IDES at 312-793-3200.