Harris announces expansion of COVID-19 testing in Black communities

DOLTON – To address the health disparities in minority neighborhoods, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Havery) is announcing more COVID-19 testing sites on the Southside and Westside of Chicago. 

 “This pandemic has really shown the reality of the health gaps for underprivileged communities,” Harris said. “Health care needs to be equal for all racial backgrounds, which is why Gov. Pritzker’s expansion of testing to the southside and in other African-American communities across the state is so important.” 

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Harris announces that SNAP recipients will receive additional benefits during COVID-19 pandemic

DOLTON – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) announced Tuesday that eligible SNAP recipients will receive additional benefits beginning this week. 

“SNAP provides families with basic meals daily,” Harris said. “This additional benefit that hundreds of thousands of families will receive will ensure they have meals on their table throughout this crisis.”

More than 450,000 Illinois residents will receive additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The increased amount will automatically load onto their link cards. Link card holders do not need to call or visit an office. All new applications authorized in April will also receive the maximum allotment for their household size.

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Harris urges railroad companies to work with minority-owned businesses

SPRINGFIELD – To encourage diversity in the transportation industry, State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) is sponsoring legislation that urges the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to submit procurement goals for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned and small business enterprises.

“No industry is excluded from diversification,” Harris said. “These contracts can give a big boost to small and minority-owned businesses. When we ask railroad companies to set goals for diversity and inclusion, we are pushing them to help make that progress happen.”

Currently, the Railroad Supplier Diversity Act allows each Class I railroad company to submit an annual report containing procurement goals and actual spending for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned and small business enterprises to the Illinois Commerce commission.

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Harris announces state grant that provides tax relief for South Suburbs

HARVEY – State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) recently announced that several local school districts will receive a state grant to lower property taxes for households in the area.

“I am happy to announce several school districts in the South Suburbs will receive property tax relief,” Harris said. “I understand there are more communities that can benefit from this grant and that’s why I hope more schools take advantage of the funding opportunity.”

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