BUNKER HILL – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) is urging Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to rethink their decision to keep the Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area closed.

Manar raised concerns in a letter to the governor after learning Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area wasn’t included in the latest list of state parks set to reopen. After releasing an initial list of 25 state parks and wildlife areas on April 23, IDNR announced on May 1 that they would open an additional 35 parks, including Beaver Dam State Park in Macoupin County.

“With appropriate social distancing and other commonsense measures in place, I am of the opinion that Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area should open,” Manar said. “I urge the governor and IDNR to rethink this decision and allow Montgomery County and area families to enjoy local recreation that Coffeen Lake provides.”

Manar says outdoor recreation is a necessity for all Illinoisans, but is particularly at risk for those who live downstate. He notes that many smaller communities don’t have local parks, so state parks, historic sites, and recreation areas become more important.

“Access to fresh air and exercise is crucial for all Illinoisans, and in many rural communities, municipal and neighborhood parks are simply not an option, because they often do not exist,” Manar added. “I appreciate the governor adding Beaver Dam State Park to the original list of parks that would open. Now, I am asking him to do the same for Coffeen Lake.”

Call4Calm

The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division is operating Call4Calm, a free emotional support text line for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19.

Illinoisans who would like to speak with a mental health professional can text “TALK” to 5-5-2-0-2-0. Once a resident sends a text to the hotline, within 24 hours they will receive a call from a counselor employed by a local community mental health center to provide support. Individuals can also text key words such as “unemployment” or “food” or “shelter” and will receive information on pertinent resources and services.

NAMI HelpLine

The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health conditions, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. HelpLine staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained and able to provide guidance.

To contact the NAMI HelpLine, please call 800-950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., ET, or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NAMI Resources

Additionally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has published a COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide to answer frequently asked questions regarding the intersection between the novel coronavirus and people affected by mental illness, their caregivers and loved ones. The guide features FAQs on a variety of topics, from managing anxiety and social isolation to accessing health care and medications.

Helpful Tips

Senator Manar encourages residents to take simple steps to care for themselves, such as:

• Connect with friends and family online,
• Keep regular work hours while at home,
• Prepare healthy meals,
• Spend time outside,
• Exercise regularly, and
• Stay up to date with accurate information.

Immediate Help

If you or a loved one are in need of immediate assistance:

• Disaster Distress Helpline
  Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
  Call 800-273-8255 or Chat with Lifeline

• Crisis Textline
  Text TALK to 741741

• Veterans Crisis Line
  Call 800-273-8255 or text 838255

• Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline
  1-877-TO END DV or 1-877-863-6338

BUNKER HILL - Under the state’s new modified Stay at Home Order that went into effect today, 60 state parks and historic sites in Illinois are now open for recreational outdoor activities, including Beaver Dam State Park.

 Last week, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources released an initial list of just 25 parks that were set to open. Concerned about the absence of parks within a reasonable travel distance for families in Macoupin and surrounding counties, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and other downstate legislators asked the Department of Natural Resources and Governor JB Pritzker to include Beaver Dam State Park.

 The Pritzker administration today announced it amended the new Stay at Home Order to include Beaver Dam among 35 parks added to the initial list published by IDNR.

 “Outdoor recreation is among the healthiest ways to cope with the uncertainty and ease the restlessness that many are experiencing right now. Our family is struggling at times with the Stay at Home Order—especially our three children. Getting outdoors helps them,” Manar said. “I appreciate IDNR and the governor taking into consideration my suggestions for reopening Beaver Dam State Park in Macoupin County.”

 Provided that they follow social distancing guidelines, guests will be allowed to engage in activities at reopened state parks such as boating in groups of no more than two, wildlife observation, hiking, biking, horse riding, and fishing.

 All visitor centers, campgrounds, playgrounds, shelter reservations, interpretive educational programs, beaches, special events and concessions will remain closed. Manar said he believes the next phase of opening will include additional parks and camping on a limited basis.

A full list of parks that reopen today, as well as social distancing guidelines for guests can be found here.

Lawmakers say increased funding is key to reopening economy

SPRINGFIELD - To help local health departments sustain their COVID-19 response efforts in addition to their basic functions, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and other Downstate Senate Democrats are pushing to double state funding to support local health departments for the coming year.

Manar’s plan would increase funding for Local Health Protection Grants to $36 million in the state’s next budget, which Manar says is key to opening up the economy.

“Our state’s response and recovery will require 97 fully staffed local health departments to continue to do their part each and every day to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They are the first line of response and are the foundation to reopening the economy,” Manar said.

Manar says mounting fiscal uncertainty and looming cuts to county and municipal budgets could impede local public health efforts and our state’s progress as a whole. “This additional funding will ensure they have what they need to do their jobs effectively through the end of our recovery period,” he added.

As a lead budget negotiator and chair of one of the Senate’s two appropriations committees, Manar has been vocal about the need to reinforce support for local health departments.

“As we continue to seek solutions to the unique problems the coronavirus pandemic has presented to our state, we have to adopt an approach that continues to breathe life into the organizations that allow our downstate communities to thrive,” said State Senator Dave Koehler, a Democrat representing parts of Tazewell, Peoria, and Fulton Counties. "Downstate is built on the back of entities like small businesses and local health departments, so we need to give them every chance to succeed going forward.”

"Our economic response to COVID-19 needs to match the scale of the crisis," said State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville). "We must be ready to deal with the financial fallout after this emergency, and as our local governments prepare for cuts, we have to prioritize funding for our health departments to ensure our communities can bounce back."

“This is a budget process unlike any we’ve ever faced before,” said State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign). “Our local health departments are the first line of defense against an infectious disease, and we will fight to ensure there is adequate funding available to them to cover their programs.”

“By increasing funding for local health departments, Illinois is reaffirming its commitment to the well-being of its residents,” said State Senator Rachelle Crowe, a Democrat representing parts of Madison, Jersey, and St. Clair Counties. “In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring health departments can operate is critical to public safety.”

Local Health Protection Grants provide funding to certified local health departments to ensure that basic levels of protection for Illinois residents are maintained at the community level for infectious diseases, food protection, safety of potable water supply and private sewage disposal. Funds are distributed by the Illinois Department of Public Health based on a formula that includes population and poverty levels within each jurisdiction.

“This pandemic has demanded an unprecedented response beyond the operating capacities of most local health departments and the budgetary capacities of most county boards, so departments are already forced to spread themselves thin,” Manar said. “As local governments begin to grapple with balanced budgets, it is critical that local health departments remain stable and are able to respond to the spread of COVID-19 when needed. This is key to reopening the economy.”