Johnson announces $2.5 million investment in local bike, walking paths

BUFFALO GROVE – Lake County residents will be able to enjoy the outdoors more safely thanks to over $2.5 million in funding to improve local bike paths and sidewalks, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) announced.

“Walking and biking are great ways to get outside, stay healthy and enjoy time with friends and family,” Johnson said. “These investments will ensure residents can continue to enjoy our beautiful natural spaces for years to come.”

Residents of Lake County will see improvements to a number of area trails for pedestrians and bicyclists, including over $500,000 to advance the Route 60 Bicycle Path Connectivity Project and $2 million to complete Stage 4 of the Patriot Path, a 5.5-mile pedestrian and bicycle route along Route 137 between Libertyville and North Chicago.

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Joyce invites youth to participate in Summer Book Club

PARK FOREST— In an effort to maintain student progress outside the classroom, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is launching a Summer Reading Club for children and young people who live in the 40^th State Senate District.

Joyce is launching a Summer Reading Club to counteract summer learning loss, which occurs when students “turn off their brains” during summer months.

“Summer reading is critical in keeping our children engaged and curious for the next academic year,” Joyce said. “I am encouraging young readers to set aside 10-15 minutes a day to read and make it a part of their summer routine.”

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Casinos to use union workers for construction under new Belt, Crowe-sponsored law

SPRINGFIELD – To expand workers’ rights protections and economic opportunity for communities, casino applicants will be required to use union labor when seeking a new or renewed casino license thanks to a measure co-sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) that was signed into law Thursday.

“Illinois workers need access to economic opportunity and deserve assurance their jobs are secure,” Belt said. “This measure is exactly what our state needs to protect the hard working individuals, especially to ensure jobs in the Metro East continue to be available in the future.”

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Crowe leads Tourism & Hospitality Committee meeting in Metro East

EDWARDSVILLE – Under the leadership of vice-chair State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon), members of the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee met Thursday at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville to allow Metro East industry leaders and owners the opportunity to address lawmakers and give feedback on the state’s economic recovery plan.

“The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on the state economy, keeping residents close to home and taking a particularly staggering toll on Illinois’ tourism industry,” Crowe said. “By giving local business owners the opportunity to address lawmakers directly, we can work to truly recover from the pandemic’s hardships to craft plans and policies at the state level to help our communities bounce back.”

Read more: Crowe leads Tourism & Hospitality Committee meeting in Metro East