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- Category: Senator Rachelle Crowe News
EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) and Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced Thursday that the Illinois Department of Transportations will be finished with Interstate 255repairs a month early.
“Highways and road systems are among the most critical components of Illinois’ infrastructure. As a nationwide hub of transportation, that infrastructure is also crucial to our state’s economy,” Belt said. “The disinvestment of I-255 was a burden for the people I represent. I’m thrilled to see this long-awaited project so near to completion, and I want to thank Gov. Pritzker and IDOT for making the drivers of the Metro East a top priority.”
Read more: Belt, Crowe congratulate road workers for completing I-255 project a month early
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- Category: Senator Rachelle Crowe News
MARYVILLE – To mend technical inequities in rural areas of the Riverbend region, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is urging Metro East organizations to apply for $50 million in available funding through the second round of the Connect Illinois broadband expansion program.
“To ensure small businesses are able to compete and residents are able to connect at work and school, access to reliable, high-speed internet is critical,” Crowe said. “Communities must have the resources to support local digital demands, and applying for this grant is a simple way to expand broadband opportunities to those living in rural areas.”
Read more: Crowe: Grants available to expand rural broadband opportunities
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- Category: Senator Rachelle Crowe News
MARYVILLE - State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is celebrating East Alton’s powerlifter Shirley Webb as one of the Illinois Department of Aging’s four inductees into 2020 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame
“An inspiration to many, Shirley Webb exemplifies the vitality of staying active and living a healthy lifestyle,” Crowe said. “Recognizing her hard work, commitment and dedication, I commend Shirley on this recognition and wish her the best in her future.”
Read more: Crowe congratulates East Alton woman chosen for Senior Hall of Fame
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MARYVILLE - To reduce roadside crashes and ensure safety for highway workers, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is reminding motorists of the importance of following Illinois’ “Move Over” law, also known as Scott’s Law.
“When residents drive carelessly, they put themselves, other drivers, highway workers and first responders at risk,” Crowe said. “To prevent potentially deadly roadside crashes, I urge drivers to be vigilant and follow the law by slowing down and giving stopped vehicles plenty of space.”
Read more: Crowe: Vigilant drivers can prevent senseless roadside deaths
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- Category: Senator Rachelle Crowe News
WOOD RIVER – Following weeks of stricter COVID-19 guidelines in an effort to mitigate the virus in the Metro East, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is pleased local restaurants will be able to return to normal rules under Stage 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan.
“Our small businesses were the hit the hardest by this mitigation plan,” Crowe said. “Because of the commitment by the people of the Metro East to mask up and practice social distancing, these businesses will be able to return to operating how they were before the spike in cases.”
According to Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Region Four has continued to move in the right direction – resulting in a positivity rate below 6.5% for three days. The benchmark hit Friday allows the region to remove its additional mitigation rules at 5 p.m.
“I want to thank every community member who helped us get to this point,” Crowe said. “But, remember, it’s still important to continue to mask up. Though we all wish it was, the COVID-19 outbreak is not over yet.”
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- Category: Senator Rachelle Crowe News
EAST ST. LOUIS – With deer mating season comes an increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions, and State Senators Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) and Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) remind Madison County motorists to stay alert while driving this fall.
“It’s imperative for motorists to stay attentive this fall season, as deer are more active during autumn weather,” Belt said. “IDOT and the Department of Natural Resources provide helpful tips on how to prevent accidents involving deer, and I encourage Madison County residents to follow their advice.”
Madison County had 434 car crashes involving deer in 2019 – the second-highest of any Illinois county that year. In total, there were 16,213 deer-vehicle collisions throughout Illinois. Of these, 15,605 resulted in damage to property or vehicles, and 604 caused personal injuries. Four of the crashes were fatal.
“As residents prepare for the upcoming hunting season, drivers must also pay special attention to the roadways for unexpected deer crossings,” Crowe said. “To make sure you’re ready to respond safely in the event of an encounter, I urge motorists to review and share IDNR’s precautions with their friends and family members.”
The Illinois Departments of Transportation and Natural Resources offer the following tips to help drivers avoid deer-related accidents this fall:
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially in areas with deer crossing signs.
- Scan the sides of the road for eye shine – the reflection of headlights in their eyes.
- Slow down if you see a deer. They travel in groups, so more are likely nearby.
- Prepare for the unexpected. Deer may stop in the middle of the road or double back.
- Deer are adaptable and can flourish in rural, suburban and urban environments.
- If a collision is inevitable, try to glance your vehicle off the deer and avoid swerving into opposite lanes of traffic.
If you hit a deer, pull off to the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights and call 911 to report the accident. Do not exit the vehicle to check on an injured deer or pull it from the road.
For other information on wildlife and recreational safety education, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
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- Category: Senator Rachelle Crowe News
New tracking system will support, protect and empower sexual assault survivors throughout evidence collection and processing
MARYVILLE - As a former prosecutor with experience working with survivors of sexual assault, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is gratified to announce the Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services has launched a new electronic system to allow survivors to track their sexual assault kits.
“From my past professional experience as a prosecutor, I can attest to the importance of survivors having access to their case’s progress,” Crowe said. “Sexual assault cases are time-sensitive, complicated and emotional, and this new system will support survivors through the grueling process.”
Crowe sponsored Public Act 101-0377, formerly known as Senate Bill 1411, to require ISP to establish a secure, effective sexual assault evidence tracking system. The measure was signed into law in August of 2019.
Drawing on recommendations made by the 2018 Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking and Reporting Commission, the system will allow survivors of sexual assault to monitor the status of their evidence throughout the entire collection and analysis process.
To ensure privacy, the system will use unique case numbers and passwords to limit access to survivors and law enforcement.
“With this new system, sexual assault survivors will have the ability to check the status of their evidence as it transitions from collection at the hospital, through the forensic lab and ultimately to the final results from their local state’s attorney’s office,” Crowe said. “This program will allow secure conversations for survivors to speak with law enforcement throughout the complex process, and it’s one more way we can empower survivors.”
The system can be found on the Illinois State Police website at https://paets.isp.illinois.gov/.
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- Category: Senator Rachelle Crowe News
MARYVILLE – To help provide much-needed resources to students learning remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, school districts in the 56th Illinois Senate District are set to receive more than $1.1 million in government funding to improve students’ access to e-learning technology.
“As teachers and students adjust to e-learning, many school districts are struggling with the cost of ensuring all students have access to a computer and an internet connection,” Crowe said. “I’m pleased to see the state is committed to relieving taxpayers of these additional costs.”
The Digital Equity Formula Grants, funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, are intended to help schools bridge the digital divide. School districts can use the funds to expand connectivity and provide students with devices like computers or tablets.
School districts in the 56th District receiving funds include:
- Bethalto CUSD #8 - $165,087
- Collinsville CUSD #10 - $378,231
- Alton CUSD #11 - $368,590
- East Alton Sd #13 - $67,916
- East Alton-Wood River CHSD #14 - $61,869
- Wood River-Hartford ESD #15 - $65,436
Funding was allocated using a need-based formula. The full list of school grantees can be found on the Illinois State Board of Education website.
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