RED BUD, Ill. – As the extended state and federal tax deadline quickly approaches, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is reminding residents to file their income taxes on or before July 15.

“The extended tax filing deadline provided much-needed relief for families across the state who were facing financial hardship as we were just beginning to see the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Reitz. “The extended deadline is now less than a week away, so if you haven’t filed yet for this year, now is the time to make sure you have all of the information you need to file your taxes and get them taken care of.”

The extended tax filing deadline gave Illinois residents and business owners an extra 90 days to file to provide flexibility for those that may have lost income or faced financial hardships during the outbreak of COVID-19. The new filing deadline for both state and federal taxes is next Wednesday, July 15.

“I encourage residents to file their taxes sooner rather than later, since sometimes it takes time to get your taxes done if you encounter unexpected issues,” continued Reitz. “Filing before the deadline ensures you get your refund as soon as possible to put more money back into your pocket and helps you avoid late-filing penalties.”

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office at 618-282-7284 or RepNReitz@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To honor local seniors that have made a positive impact on Southern Illinois, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is encouraging area residents to nominate a senior they know for the Illinois Department on Aging’s (IDoA) 2020 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame Awards.

“There is so much wisdom that can be gained from the older folks in our lives, and their accomplishments deserve recognition,” said Reitz. “Many of us have the privilege of knowing a senior that inspires us and goes above and beyond to make our community a better place, and their influences deserve recognition.”

Reitz is encouraging area residents to nominate a senior, they know for the 2020 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame Awards. Nominations are accepted in the following categories: community service, education, labor force and performance/graphic arts. The deadline for nominations is Monday, August 31 and can be submitted by visiting the Illinois Department on Aging’s website at www.illinois.gov/aging or by calling the Senior HelpLine at 800-252-8966.

Eligibility is based on an individual’s past and present accomplishments, and the candidate must be a current Illinois citizen or a former citizen for most of their life. Posthumous nominees are also considered. Since its creation in 1994, 121 people have been inducted.

“While our community continues to fight against the COVID-19 crisis, now is a great time to spread positivity and look for the good in life by uplifting and honoring the seniors that make Southern Illinois special,” said Reitz. “I encourage residents to nominate a senior they know for the Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame Awards to honor and celebrate their legacy.”

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office at 618-282-7284 or RepNReitz@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To support local small business owners that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is highlighting the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) new Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program.

“Many business owners have been struggling to stay afloat during recent months as many bars, restaurants and other small businesses have been forced to temporarily close their doors to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Reitz. “While this grant program will not solve every challenge business owners are facing, they can provide a much-needed lifeline to small business owners in need during this economic emergency.”

Reitz is highlighting DCEO’s new BIG Program, extending critical relief for business sectors that have been hit hard by state closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, July 7 at 5 p.m. The BIG Program includes support for:

• Bars and Restaurants – $20 million for bars and restaurants unable to offer outside, patio, and/or “al fresco” service, providing 1,000 grants of up to $20,000;
• Barbershops and Salons – $10 million for barbershops and salons, providing 1,000 grants of $10,000 each; and
• Gyms and Fitness Centers – $10 million for gyms and fitness centers that have lost significant revenue due to COVID-19, providing 500 grants of $20,000 each.

More details and the online application for the BIG Program can also be found at: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/C19DisadvantagedBusGrants.aspx.

“Standing up for small business owners and working families continues to be a top priority of mine in my effort to regrow our struggling economy and build a stronger Illinois,” continued Reitz. “I urge qualifying small businesses to apply for the BIG Program, and for residents to shop small whenever possible as our state continues to move toward reopening.”

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office at 618-282-7284 or RepNReitz@gmail.com.

RED BUD, Ill. – State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, backed a recent budget measure to fund local health initiatives that have done much to guide Illinois through the COVID-19 crisis.

“Our healthcare professionals, especially at the local level, deserve gratitude and support for all the good work they have done,” Reitz said. “This community remains strong because we have so many talented people risking their lives to give us the help we need when we get sick. I will continue to fight to make sure they are not overlooked or underappreciated for what they have done.”

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Reitz supported a measure to secure $719 million dollars in new funding for local health services in Illinois. The measure will also provide $416 million dollars for testing and other services being performed by local health providers in the upcoming fiscal year. This is in addition to recent measures he voted to pass to support the brave men and women in the healthcare community following their brave work during the height of the COVID-19 crisis.

“High-quality and affordable healthcare will always be one of my highest priorities,” Reitz said. “By providing for proper funding for local health services, communities can create plans to help protect themselves against future spikes of COVID-19 and other threats to their health, as well as ensuring that all residents have the services and care they deserve.”

RED BUD, Ill. – To help Southern Illinoisans protect themselves from identity thieves and stay up-to-date on their finances, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is promoting free credit reports that are now available during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

 “Many families in our region are now struggling to simply stay afloat and make ends meet due to the unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 crisis,” said Reitz. “Promoting access to free credit reports during this difficult time can help families protect themselves from identity thieves and others that may be looking to take advantage of them during this crisis, while also giving residents the information they need to make smart financial decisions as we continue to navigate and come out on the other side of the pandemic.”

In response to the extreme negative economic impact that has been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Reitz is promoting free, weekly credit reports to help residents access their financial records. Everyone is now eligible to receive their weekly credit report for free through Equifax, Experian and TransUnion until April 2021. For more information, please visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com. 

“Regularly checking their credit report and reviewing their credit history can help Southern Illinoisans regain control of their finances during this extremely difficult time by giving them the information they need to make wise financial decisions,” continued Reitz. “I encourage local residents to take advantage of this free resource that can help you protect yourself from identity thieves and stay aware of your financial health, which is especially important during these uncertain times.”

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office at 618-282-7284 or RepNReitz@gmail.com.

RED BUD, Ill. – State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, voted to commend first responders and essential workers who put their lives on the line to keep the community safe and to maintain critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Without the contributions of the brave men and women serving as first responders, healthcare professionals in our hospitals, workers in our grocery stores, our gas stations and every other business essential to keeping our community running, we would be facing a much worse crisis than we are today,” Reitz said. “The people who faced the dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic on a daily basis deserve recognition for all they have done. All Illinoisans owe them a great debt.”

Reitz supported House Resolution 848, which commends doctors, nurses, members of law enforcement, and other essential workers who faced risks while continuing at their jobs at the height of the COVID-19 crisis. This is in addition to recent measures he voted to pass to support these workers, such as House Bill 2455, legislation which provides expanded benefits to all essential workers who have contracted COVID-19.

“I am proud to be a part of such a strong and selfless community. As we faced this crisis, we didn’t buckle under the burden of new challenges or give in to the increasing stress that difficult times threw at us,” said Reitz. “Neighbors have continued to lend a hand to others who needed a help, and essential workers put their lives on the line to keep everyone safe, and they all deserve our utmost appreciation.”

RED BUD, Ill. – To help connect residents that have been laid off or furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic to job resources, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is highlighting the new Get Hired Illinois program.

 “As our state continues to move toward reopening it is critical that we continue moving forward in rebuilding our economy that was devastated due to COVID-19,” said Reitz. “One of my top priorities is to help Southern Illinoisans get back to work, so I encourage residents that have been laid off to check out Get Hired Illinois to be connected to potential employers and other important resources.” 

Get Hired Illinois is a compiled database of resources that provide information to help connect jobseekers to employers. Some of these resources include virtual job fairs, listings of current job openings, and links to various other resources. For more information, please visit the Get Hired Illinois website at https://www2.illinois.gov/GetHired/Pages/default.aspx.

“As our state continues to see a record number of unemployment claims as so many are out of work, Get Hired Illinois will help address unemployment and get folks back to work as soon possible,” continued Reitz. “Get Hired Illinois will help bring much-needed stability to families that have been facing uncertainty and financial hardship due to the pandemic.”

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office at 618-282-7284 or RepNReitz@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is fighting to support local farmers and provide them with the proper resources and timeframes as they adjust to new federal regulations impacting the soybean industry.

“Farms and small businesses, which are the backbone of the Illinois economy, deserve a fair deal, and I will make sure they get it,” said Reitz. “As we work to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s critical that we allow farmers to use products they have already purchased that assist with their farming, instead of requiring them to follow a timeline that would results in a loss of money and time.”

Reitz recently appealed to the Illinois Department of Agriculture to allow soybean farmers additional time to use any existing stock of the now discontinued dicamaba herbicide products, which have been banned for usage due to a federal lawsuit, despite 25% of soybeans still needing to be planted by farmers statewide. While any existing stock of dicamaba has been permitted for usage, it was originally required to be used by June 20. Reitz’s appeal to the IDOA pushed back the Illinois deadline to June 25, allowing additional time for farmers to use any existing supply in the planting season. This move is part of Reitz’s continued focus on supporting local businesses and farmers, something especially important during recent tough economic times.

“Our community has gotten through these difficult times by standing together and helping our neighbors when they need it most. Allowing additional time to use a product that farmers have already made an investment in purchasing will help save funds and resources and assist our agricultural community and local businesses. I’ll continue to stand with our farmers to make sure that they have the tools they need to help support the largest industry in our state.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To protect essential workers and support those who have been laid off or furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, recently supported a new law that harshens penalties for criminals that assault essential workers while also expanding access to unemployment benefits for residents currently out of work.

 “Building a stronger state by supporting working families throughout Southern Illinois is a top priority of mine, including those who have been laid off and essential workers who have continued to fight on the front lines to protect our families and provide the resources we need during this crisis,” said Reitz. “This new law will protect first responders, health care employees, grocery store workers and other essential personnel by strengthening the consequences for assaulting essential workers.”

Reitz backed Senate Bill 471, legislation that passed the Illinois House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and was recently signed into law. This new law increases penalties on criminals who assault essential workers and expands eligibility for unemployment benefits for workers who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, entitling them to a larger percentage of their previous income through unemployment.

“Thousands of residents across our state are out of work through no fault of their own, so I prioritized relief for families facing financial hardship due to the pandemic,” said Reitz. “This measure will help Illinoisans struggling to make ends meet during this time by expanding unemployment benefits, putting more money in their wallets and helping them pay for things they need like groceries, medication and utility bills.”

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office at 618-282-7284 or RepNReitz@gmail.com.

RED BUD, Ill. – State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is continuing his steadfast support for first responders with his vote to pass new protections for police and firefighters who have contracted COVID-19.

“Brave men and women serving as first responders on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 are catching this disease, and we have to have their backs,” Reitz said. “Police and first responders have been bearing the brunt of this difficult time while they risk their lives to keep us safe.”

Reitz voted to pass House Bill 2455, which expands workers compensation benefits for first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty to include all those who have contracted COVID-19. This legislation was the result of an agreement between representatives of business and labor interests to give Illinoisans combatting this disease on the front lines the financial aid they need without putting an undue burden on the Illinois economy. The bill passed the legislature with unanimous bipartisan support.

“It’s critical that we expand the available support to those who are risking their health and safety to protect our communities and work in dangerous conditions that may create more exposure to COVID-19,” said Reitz. “I’m urging the governor to sign this critical piece of legislation into law to show that our state will do what is right and protect our first responders who face additional exposure to this virus as they do their jobs of protecting us all.”