Simmons to launch #ChildrenCarryOn campaign to promote vaccination of Chicago Public School children

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is launching a new initiative aimed at supporting parents and Chicago Public School children that will celebrate their resilience and provide resources to support the vaccination campaign in local schools.

“Today, my staff and I kicked-off the #ChildrenCarryOn campaign to highlight the true resilience of the children of the 7th District,” Simmons said. “These children have made some of the biggest sacrifices with the least reward these last 18 months. We should celebrate them and lift up their courage in getting vaccinated,” said Simmons. “I look forward to visiting Gale Elementary, Kilmer Elementary, and Goudy Elementary today as we kick off #ChildrenCarryOn and celebrate our 5 - 11 year olds and encourage them to get vaccinated with their families.”

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Van Pelt concerned by Aldi’s closure in West Garfield Park, weary of west side becoming a food desert

CHICAGO – Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is outraged after the Aldi in West Garfield Park abruptly closed in October, and is worried about resident’s wellbeing in lieu of the West Side becoming a food desert.

“This closure is devastating to the community because a lot of people depended on this Aldi for convenient and affordable food,” Van Pelt said. “In particular, many older residents got their groceries from here. This is not just an affordability issue, but a mobility issue as well.”

In Chicago, more than 500,000 residents – most who are African-American – live in food deserts, while an additional 400,000 live in neighborhoods with an abundance of fast food restaurants and no grocery stores nearby.

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Fayette County welcomes Sen. Pacione-Zayas for farm visits

FAYETTE COUNTY – As part of its Adopt-a-Legislator® program, the Fayette County Farm Bureau welcomed State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) to multiple farms in downstate Illinois to learn about their operations and further develop relationships with farmers in the state.

“The time spent in Fayette County with my family during our tours of the fields and farms was enlightening,” Pacione-Zayas said. “Maintaining connections to the land and relationships with farmers across the state is important for bridging the gap between urban and rural communities in Illinois.  In the months I’ve been a part of the Adopt-a-Legislator program, you recognize the significance of championing policy that benefits the agriculture industry and our environment so Illinois communities can be sustainable and thriving.”

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Bennett: College-bound students can use Common App to apply to Illinois public universities

CHAMPAIGN – Prospective students applying to any of Illinois’ 12 public universities can now use the Common Application, and Senate Higher Education Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is encouraging incoming students to take advantage.

Bennett worked with his colleagues in the General Assembly and the Illinois Board of Higher Education to obtain $1 million in funding to add all of the state’s public universities onto the Common App platform so that students in Illinois will consider continuing their educational journey at home.

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