Simmons announces $1 million in state funding for lead pipe replacement

EVANSTON – To address ongoing issues concerning public health inequities in disenfranchised communities, State Senator Mike Simmons announced that he has secured $1 million in state funding for the replacement of lead pipes in South Evanston.

“For too long, lead in our drinking water has exposed our neighbors to adverse health effects, further building on the inequities our communities face. We have to get focused on this, we can’t make any excuses when it comes to lead pipes,” said Simmons (D-Chicago).  “This funding provides long overdue resources to address a problem that is systemic in nature, is decades in the making, and often does the most damage to Black and Brown communities like those who call South Evanston home.”

Simmons was joined by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Evanston’s 8th Ward Alderman Devon Reid for the announcement. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health there were almost 680,000 reported community lead service lines in the Illinois water systems in 2019. In Evanston there are almost 11,500 which need to be addressed.

Read more: Simmons announces $1 million in state funding for lead pipe replacement

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) statement on Senator Bennett's death

Senate President Don Harmon's (D-Oak Park) statement on Senator Bennett's death:

“I was devastated today to learn of the death of Senator Scott Bennett.

“My heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with his wife Stacy and their children during this unimaginably difficult time.

“I ask the media and others to respect their privacy.”

(At this time, the family has requested no flowers and plants. The family will name a charity organization to send donations to honor his memory in the coming days.)

Senate Democrats celebrate $350 million allocation to revitalize small businesses

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is set to receive over $350 million in federal funding to help support and revitalize small businesses across the state.

The $354.6 million awarded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative will help administer four programs to support small businesses.

The programs allow Illinois to help small businesses across the state attract more capital investment and expand or launch business operations. Access to funding and capital can be especially difficult for small businesses owned by women and people of color. The federal funding allows Illinois to greater support these businesses and their owners.

Read more: Senate Democrats celebrate $350 million allocation to revitalize small businesses

Villanueva advances measure to provide free menstrual products in IDOC facilities

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva advanced legislation from the Illinois Senate on Thursday that would allow every person in the care of the Department of Corrections to receive underwear and menstrual products free of charge.

“While women in the Illinois Department of Corrections are provided with some free feminine hygiene products, incarcerated women consistently state that the sanitary napkins and feminine hygiene products provided by the State are inconsistently provided or insufficient to meet their needs,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “As a woman myself, I cannot imagine having limited access to feminine hygiene products that are a necessity to my everyday life. These women are no different and deserve to have proper healthcare resources regardless of their incarceration.”

House Bill 4218 addresses the lack of equal healthcare, basic hygiene and gender disparities in IDOC facilities. The measure would make these products available for all men, women and non-binary individuals under IDOC supervision available free of charge.

Read more: Villanueva advances measure to provide free menstrual products in IDOC facilities