Castro joins Pritzker to announce $30 million in funding for Immigrant Welcoming Centers during pandemic

Elgin — State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) joined Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services to announce $30 million in state funding for Immigrant Welcoming Centers across Illinois to support members of immigrant communities facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding will allocate $18 million in funding will go to housing and utility assistance, $4.5 million will be used to support employment and job training services, and $4 million will be used to provide health care education. The remaining $2 million will go to a multilingual effort to reach Illinois residents eligible to receive support, and $1.5 million will be used for technical assistance.

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Bertino-Tarrant urges drivers to exercise safe driving practices

SHOREWOOD – On National Move over Awareness Day, State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant is urging drivers to remember to exercise safe driving habits to responsibly share the road with first responders.

Oct. 17, 2020 marks the holiday that emphasizes the need for drivers to decrease their vehicle’s speed and move into another lane in order protect first responders such as ambulance drivers, police officers and roadside assistance professionals.

“Every day, our officers and first responders put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “We need to continue to educate motorists to guarantee it is second nature for drivers to slow down and move over when any vehicle is stalled on the side of the road.”

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Hunter, Villivalam to host special Senate hearing on supplier diversity

CHICAGO – To discuss the operational challenges in supplier diversity, including procurement, the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) policies, Senate Executive Committee Chair Mattie Hunter and Special Committee on Supplier Diversity Chair Ram Villivalam will lead a joint Senate committee hearing tomorrow afternoon.

“Women and people of color often face adversity in the realm government contracting,” Hunter said. “Every business deserves procurement policies that will help it succeed, regardless of who owns it. Minority business owners deserve an equal opportunity to flourish.”

“Fair and equitable procurement policies are key to expanding opportunities for women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses,” said Villivalam. “Prioritizing equity and diversity in our suppliers will strengthen our economy, which is critically important to all Illinois taxpayers.”

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Senator Holmes reminds women Oct. 16 is National Mammography Day

AURORA – According to a study by the Illinois Department of Public Health, 26 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Illinois each day.

The prognosis for breast cancer is best if the diagnosis occurs in the condition’s earliest stages, which is why Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) is reminding women that Oct. 16 is National Mammography Day.

“Getting a routine mammogram or scheduling one if a woman believes there may be a problem improves the odds for treatment if it is necessary,” Holmes said. “Studies show that screening mammography can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 74, and especially for those over age 50.”

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