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coVid-19
How to cope with COVID-19 until you get the vaccine The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on society and caused immense stress. When it first hit, people banded together and there was a sense of community. But after prolonged stress, COVID-19 fatigue may be setting in. People are tired of being uncertain, tired of being careful, tired of being isolated, and tired of being scared. People are worn out dealing with the pandemic. Recently, the FDA granted emergency use authorization for two COVID-19 vaccines. This provides hope for an end to the pandemic. But the vaccine isn’t available to the general public just yet — it will go to those at highest risk first, like frontline healthcare workers and long-term care residents. It’s estimated the
general public will be able to start receiving the vaccine in spring or summer of 2021. How can people cope until they’re able to receive the vaccine? These tips may help boost overall wellbeing: 1. Take it day by day. Try not to look too far down the road and become overwhelmed with the big picture. People don’t need to have all the answers right now. Simplify daily goals into manageable ones. 2. Get up and move. Exercise is one of the best ways to cope and improve well-being. Bundle up and head outside for a walk — even a short walk helps. Too cold outside? Try an online workout or dance class, yoga or stretching at home. 3. Talk it out. Share feelings with
a trusted friend or family member. Staying connected to others will help people feel less isolated. Consider a professional counselor if needed. 4. Practice gratitude. Gratitude can make people happier and connect with the goodness in the world. Write down 1-3 points of gratitude each day. Send a text or email to let someone know they’re appreciated. 5. Be mindful. Moments of quiet reflection can help release tension. Take deep breaths, step outside and feel the cool air and sun, snuggle up with a cherished pet, or savor a warm drink. Try mindfulness meditation apps like Calm or Headspace. 6. Have a good laugh. Laughter is goo medicine and can be a crucial relaxation technique when you’re
really stressed. Surround yourself with humor, such as photos or comics, or watch a funny movie or comedy show. 7. Eat well and sleep well. A healthy diet and good sleep are vital to well-being. Eat regular, wellbalanced meals and try to go to bed and wake up around the same time each day. Strive for 8-10 hours of sleep a night. 8. Help. Helping others can make people healthier. Check on neighbors and friends by calling, texting or writing a card. Donate food to the frontline workers at a local hospital — call first to find out what’s allowed, packaging requirements, etc. Donate grocery items to a local food pantry. 9. Find things to look forward to.
This can be a great mood-booster. Plan for a physically-distanced walk with a friend, a night to watch a favorite movie or new TV series or a video Zoom call with friends. Avoid things that trigger stress, such as too much social media or news intake. 10. Accept COVID-19 precautions. They aren’t going away anytime soon, even with a vaccine on the horizon. Make wearing a mask, frequent handwashing and physical distancing a normal part of everyday life. In some cases, stress and anxiety can be overwhelming. Linden Oaks Behavioral Health has therapists who can help. Call 630-305-5027 for a free behavioral health assessment. For more information, visit www. eehealth.org/coronavirus.
state
Raoul backs new bill aimed at police certification reform
by Raymon tRoncoso capitol news illinois
SPRINGFIELD – A new bill backed by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul would revamp the way police certification works in Illinois. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Elgie Sims and Rep. Justin Slaughter, both Chicago Democrats, alters the Illinois Administrative Code as it relates to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. An amendment to House Bill 841 filed Friday would create the Illinois Law Enforcement Certification Review Panel to conduct oversight of officers found to have engaged in misconduct, create a mandatory reporting system for officer training compliance and increase transparency surrounding the conduct of individual officers. “Now, more than ever, meaningful law enforcement reform is essential to restore the public’s trust in law enforcement and to hold officers accountable for egregious misconduct that should render them unworthy of being a police officer anywhere in the state,” Raoul said in a statement released Friday. ILETSB handles the certification of officers in Illinois, including the standards an officer must meet, and establishes the trainings they must complete in order to achieve certification. Under current Illinois law, an officer must be convicted
of a felony, or a “decertifiable misdemeanor” such as offering a bribe or criminal sexual abuse in order to lose their certification. Under the proposal, ILETSB would be granted greater discre-
tionary power to decertify officers based on the determinations of the Certification Review Panel. Officers found to have committed an act that would be a felony or misdemeanor, even if not convicted or
charged, would also be subject to decertification.
Additional offenses that could result in decertification would also be included: excessive use of force;
failing to intervene when another officer uses excessive force; tampering with dash or body cameras, including the footage created by
see ‘bill’ page 4
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‘Bill’ from page 3 these cameras or directing others to do so; committing perjury, making false statements or tampering with evidence; and engaging in conduct of “moral turpitude,” which would be defined as any action that goes against the responsibility to protect the public or an action that sullies the integrity of law enforcement. Government agencies would be prohibited from granting status as law enforcement to anyone without an active certification from ILETSB, with an exception granted to elected law enforcement officials such as sheriffs. HB841 also makes it mandatory that law enforcement officers report to ILETSB in three-year periods that they are in compliance with minimum standards for certification, including all training requirements for that year, employment by a law enforcement agency and no disciplinary action taken against them for misconduct that would result in decertification. ILETSB would also maintain databases of certification and misconduct for all officers in the state. The Professional Conduct database would be available to governmental agencies, law enforcement and state’s attorneys containing an officer’s certification history, reported instances of misconduct, suspensions and terminations. Agencies looking to hire officers would be required to view their entry in the conduct database before employment is offered. Two separate databases wouldl be available for the public to view –
RAOUL one containing an officer’s agency, their certification status and confirmed instances of decertifiable misconduct, and another public database of all completed investigations against law enforcement officers, although any identifying information of the officer will be redacted. Since July, Raoul has been engaged in a working group that involves lawmakers, state agencies, the governor’s office and law enforcement to help craft the certification standards in HB841 The bill is a part of the Legislative Black Caucus agenda to reform police and criminal justice system, which is backed by AG Raoul. However, it was filed separately from the criminal justice omnibus reform bill currently making its way through the General Assembly’s special lame duck session as a part of the Black Caucus agenda. That legislation, an amendment to House Bill 163, faces strong opposition from law enforcement groups in the state.
Legal Notices
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