MARYVILLE – To enhance the state’s workforce by improving high school job-training programs, the Illinois State Board of Education has awarded 10 regional entities with Career and Technical Education (CTE) Education Career Pathways Grants, and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is thrilled to see the Madison County Career and Technical Education System selected as a recipient.

“These grants will help schools recruit and support future educators in the Career and Technical Education field by providing them with hands-on learning opportunities, mentorships and experiences to benefit their futures,” Crowe said. “Madison County is home to a robust number of companies in the CTE industry, and it’s important for educators to reflect the diversity of students within our school system.”

The Madison County Career and Technical Education System has received $84,839 to recruit and support future educators at Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto, Highland High School, Southwestern High School in Piasa and Triad High School in Troy.

The CTE Education Career Pathways Grants were awarded to 62 schools and vocational centers across the state, totaling almost $2 million. Currently, only 18% of teachers identify as people of color. These grants are intended to help increase diversity within the CTE teaching profession in Illinois.

Applicants to the CTE Education Pathways Grant program had to submit implementation plans outlining their strategies to recruit underrepresented students into education careers. The grant also requires a partnership between grantees and institutions of higher education to ensure students can earn dual credit or other certifications while still in high school.

“For students who want to pursue careers in CTE after graduation, this grant serves as an effective tool to place qualified, committed teachers in their classrooms,” Crowe said. “CTE includes everything from health sciences to manufacturing, and for students to get the most out of this path, it is important we have skilled educators.”

For a full list of the grant recipients, visit the ISBE website.

SPRINGFIELD – To offer homeowners some relief from hefty property tax burdens, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) introduced legislation to establish a property tax credit for middle-class earners.

“To put it simply, working families are overburdened by property taxes,” Crowe said. “Creating a homestead exemption for working families is an important step toward allowing these families more financial freedom to support loved ones as well as local organizations, restaurants and small businesses.”

Starting in 2022, Crowe’s measure would allow homeowners to deduct 5 percent, or up to $5,000, from the assessed value of their home. Any Illinois household with an income of less than $131,772 would qualify for the homestead exemption.

The initiative is part of a long-term effort by Crowe to reduce property tax burdens on Illinois families.

“When considering locations to buy a home, open a business or raise a family, residents look for lower property taxes,” Crowe said. “Working families are critical to building our infrastructure, economies and opportunities throughout the state. We should encourage them to plant their roots in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 1745 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Revenue Committee Thursday.

MARYVILLE – In response to news that Paula Sims—who admitted to killing her two infant daughters in 1990 after claiming they were kidnapped—has been granted executive clemency and is now eligible for parole, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) said she is horrified by this clear injustice:

“As a mother with 15 years of prosecuting experience in the Madison County State’s Attorney’s office, I find Paula Sims’ charges especially disturbing. In order to ensure justice for victims of violent crimes, vile actions must have equivalent consequences.

“According to prosecutors, Sims fabricated a story under oath blaming masked intruders for her daughters’ disappearances. Failing to take responsibility for her heinous actions, she showed no remorse while also delegitimizing mothers who suffer mentally from postpartum health issues.

“Sims was charged with first-degree murder and imprisoned because she poses a significant threat to our community. That she may soon be released to walk among us is not only insulting to those whose lives were destroyed by her actions, but also endangers the integrity of our criminal justice system as a whole.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans looking to update their wills or establish end-of-life plans have faced barriers during the pandemic due to a rule requiring in-person court hearings, inspiring State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) to introduce an initiative to update current practices for remote and electronic filings. The measure passed through the Senate’s Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

“Over the last year, more aspects of our daily lives have gone digital, but the procedure for estate planning has lagged behind as technology advances,” Crowe said. “Providing residents the option to have remote will hearings and electronic filings makes the process quicker and simpler.”

MARYVILLE – With the Paycheck Protection Program now more accessible to smaller businesses, State Senator Rachelle Crowe wants to make sure local entrepreneurs are aware of recent changes to the federal program.

“The federal Paycheck Protection Program has been a great opportunity that has helped many of our local small businesses overcome financial burdens, but it was difficult to access for some of our smallest business owners,” Crowe said. “If you looked into the program before but decided you didn’t qualify or wouldn’t be able to fill out the paperwork, it’s worth looking into again after the recent changes.”

The loan calculation formula has been changed in hopes of making it easier for sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed residents to qualify for relief. They’ve also established that student loan debt and prior incarceration will no longer prevent small business owners from obtaining relief.

“If your business employs 20 people or less, now is the time to apply,” Crowe added. “The federal government has opened a special window where only the smallest businesses – which make up 98% of the small business community – can apply.”

This special application window opened Feb. 24 and extends for two weeks.

More information about the PPP program, including how to apply, is available on the Small Business Administration’s website.

WOOD RIVER – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has selected Riverbend Family Ministries in Wood River to receive a grant of nearly $500,000 to expand services in the Metro East, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced Thursday.

“By investing in local organizations, our state solidifies its commitment to improving opportunities and services that many residents depend on,” Crowe said. “Riverbend Family Ministries is such a blessing to the Metro East, and I am thrilled to see the state recognize its community work and fund its expansion.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) has been appointed to serve on the bipartisan Illinois Legislative Audit Commission.

“Ensuring transparent, bipartisan oversight of our state agencies is important to the functionality and integrity of a fair government,” Crowe said. “I’m pleased to have the opportunity to continue the commission’s work with my colleagues.”

Crowe is one of 12 legislators appointed to the commission by the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives to oversee the State Audit Program, review the administration of public funds and recommend actions to improve agency policies.

The commission will review all audits conducted by the State Auditor General. Primary responsibilities of the commission include:

• Hosting public hearings on all major audits of state agencies to review problems, review agency administration, and secure corrective action;
• Making recommendations to the General Assembly and agency management for corrective legislation and other methods to strengthen weaknesses revealed through audits or at commission hearings; and
• Monitoring agency progress in implementing corrective action.

For additional information on the commission and upcoming meetings, visit the ILGA website.

MARYVILLE – To make access to the COVID-19 vaccine more equitable and convenient for Metro East residents, a state-supported vaccination site opened Tuesday at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced.

“As our state receives more vaccine doses for distribution, we are working to ensure communities receive them quickly, efficiently and equitably,” Crowe said. “By opening a community vaccination site in Collinsville, we are providing Metro East residents with the opportunity to contribute to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The site will be located at 1 Gateway Drive in Collinsville beginning Tuesday, Feb. 23. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), when vaccines are fully available, up to 1,350 doses per day can be administered at the site.

The mass and mobile vaccination sites are managed through an interagency effort led by IDPH, coordinated by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and supported by the Illinois National Guard. More information and site locations can be found here.

There is no charge to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations are available only by appointment at this time, and residents are encouraged to check back frequently for open appointments. Individuals should sign up for an appointment to receive their second dose while they are getting their first vaccination.

When appointments become available, residents eligible for the vaccine can make an appointment by visiting the Madison County Health Department Website. If you do not have computer access, call (618) 650-8445 for assistance.