Belt and Crowe celebrate over $200,000 in broadband grants for Metro East area

EAST ST. LOUIS – Over $200,000 in grant funding is coming to Madison and St. Clair Counties to enhance broadband accessibility for residents, thanks to support from State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D- Glen Carbon).

“The pandemic showed the need for an increase in broadband services through economic opportunity, remote learning and health care services,” Belt said. “These grants will bring resources toward the health, growth and education of our community through expanded accessibility.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced funding for 22 projects in every region of the state. The money is part of the second round of Connect Illinois to improve the lives of families, farmers, businesses, community institutions and other Illinoisans who rely on high-speed broadband for everything from education to healthcare access.

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Senator Bush continues to fight for ratification of Equal Rights Amendment

SPRINGFIELD – A longtime advocate for women’s rights, Senator Melinda Bush continues to fight for equal protection for women on what should have been the effective date of the Equal Rights Amendment.

“All states need to correct the shameful failure of our Constitution to ensure women are explicitly protected against discrimination,” said Bush (D-Grayslake). “Women deserve the same legal protections as men.”

Under the federal constitution, there is not a provision that expressly guarantees equality on the basis of sex. The proposed Equal Rights Amendment would grant such rights.

In 2018, Bush led efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, making Illinois the 37^th state to do so. Under the U.S. Constitution, amendments become law once ratified by at least three-fourths of U.S. state legislatures — or 38 out of 50. Virginia became the 38^th state in January 2020. 

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Turner invites constituents to give feedback at Coffee and Conversation event

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) invites residents to ask questions and get assistance at her Coffee, Conversation and Constituent Services event on Monday, Feb. 7 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Custom Cup Coffee.

“This is a great opportunity for the residents of Springfield and surrounding communities to enjoy a cup of coffee while having a conversation about state government, or to simply bring an issue to my attention,” Turner said. “I look forward to having a friendly conversation with those who are available to join me.”

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Cullerton measure giving voice to veterans becomes law

SPRINGFIELD – Veterans and other members of the public will have a way to voice their concerns regarding the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park).

“The tragic COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home in 2020 made it clear that we needed to support veterans and IDVA staff by demanding further transparency from the department,” said Cullerton, chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affair committee and a veteran himself. “The new Veterans Accountability Unit will give our veterans and those who care for them a direct way to voice any concerns they have.”

The new law, Public Act 102-0695, creates the unit, with offices to be housed in IDVA buildings and veterans’ homes. The unit will be responsible for reporting complaints and recommendations from veterans, IDVA employees and other Illinois residents to the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor.

Read more: Cullerton measure giving voice to veterans becomes law