MARYVILLE – With strong support from State Senator Rachelle Aug Crowe (D-Glen Carbon), Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville is slated to receive funding for the Certified Recovery Support Specialist Success program to create behavioral and mental health education opportunities for students.

“Our state’s behavioral health industry relies on skilled, dependable workers,” Crowe said. “By creating education opportunities for mental health professionals at SIUE and throughout the state, Illinois is working to provide better quality care for individuals in recovery, give students hands-on experience and strengthen the workforce.”

SPRINGFIELD – To streamline the detection process and determine hereditary risks for breast and ovarian cancers for women in Illinois, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) advanced legislation Wednesday to require insurance companies to cover the cost of genetic testing kits.

“Early detection through genetic testing is essential for women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancers,” Crowe said. “By offering genetic testing at no cost, Illinois would be on track to provide peace of mind to individuals who are at the most risk.”

GODFREY - Due to aging infrastructure deeming portions of the historic Main Complex  unsafe for operations, State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) partnered with Lewis and Clark Community College to secure a $37.5 million state grant to fund an extensive renovation project of the five-building complex that dates back to 1890.

“Lewis and Clark Community College provides quality educational opportunities to students throughout the region, and this investment is critical to ensure operations can continue safely,” Crowe said. “As a historic building from the mid-19th Century, the Main Complex is the heart of campus for students, faculty and visitors. Repairs and renovations are much needed.”

The announcement was made Monday at the Lewis and Clark Community College campus in Godfrey. Last August, LCCC officials were forced to close sections of the Main Complex due to safety concerns stemming from failing HVAC systems that created mold issues.

Dr. Ken Trzaska, president of Lewis and Clark Community College, said Lewis and Clark has made numerous updates and repairs to the Main Complex over the last three decades, but due to the age of the facility and the need to integrate modern mechanical and electrical systems, a complete renovation is the only path forward to return the historic complex to full operations.

“This project represents Lewis and Clark’s future while honoring its history,” Trzaska said. “We are thankful to the state’s investment and confidence in our region. Investing in the next generation of students through this critical project is exciting and inspiring for our community and our campus team.”

Trzaska said the college has been working over the past 10 years to secure the funding needed to bring the symbolic complex to current code and modernization.

“We are extremely grateful for the work of our local and state legislators including Senator Crowe, the Illinois Community College Board and our college’s board of trustees for helping us champion this project, ensuring that the college and its students will have a safe and modern space to learn,” he said. 

The $37.5 million grant was appropriated by the state in the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program in 2019. To accelerate the funding process, the LCCC Board of Trustees voted at a special meeting in September to commit $12.5 million in match funding.

“This project represents not only an educational impact for our region, but it also represents an incredible economic impact to the region through the jobs a project of this size will bring to the region,” Trzaska said.

MARYVILLE – The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police have named State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) as the 2022 Public Official of the Year.

“As law enforcement officers serve and protect our communities, I've worked diligently to advocate their interests in the Senate,” Crowe said. “It's truly an honor to be recognized by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police with the Public Official of the Year award.”

The ILACP named Crowe based on her strong relationship with law enforcement, noting her willingness to listen to their needs and advocate for their interests as legislation is proposed in the Illinois General Assembly.

SPRINGFIELD – With more than 150 wineries statewide, Illinois is a leader in wine operations. To offer financial relief to struggling makers, State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) advanced legislation to lower licensing fees for first-class manufacturers.

“Wineries are unique small businesses servicing communities throughout the entire state,” Crowe said. “By re-implementing the previous licensing fees, we can offer financial support to wine operators as they work to bounce back following pandemic-related burdens.”

In partnership with the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, Crowe’s measure lowers the licensing fees for first-class wine manufacturers to $750 if renewed online and $900 for initial or non-online certification. Under a law passed in 2021, the fees were raised to $1,200 if renewed online and $1,500 for initial licenses and non-online.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase microchip production and attract companies to invest in Illinois, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) supported legislation in the Senate to create a series of tax credits to uplift the semiconductor industry.

“The United States relies on microchip imports to fulfill local manufacturing needs, and the pandemic has intensified the nationwide shortage,” Crowe said. “To maintain our supply chain, the MICRO Act provides an opportunity to serve local production, build the industry in Illinois and create job opportunities for residents.”

In partnership with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, the proposal creates the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act to provide a range of tax credits for semiconductor, microchip and component part manufacturers to support new employee training while also encouraging companies to develop operations in underserved communities and energy transition areas.

SPRINGFIELD – To offer support to mothers who are survivors of sexual abuse while giving birth, State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) advanced an initiative through the Senate Wednesday to allow parents to remove the physician’s name from a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

“When giving birth, women trust their physician to offer support, guidance and encouragement on one of the happiest, most memorable days of her life,” Crowe said. “Unfortunately, there are multiple cases where mothers endure sexual assault and abuse in the process, and this measure aims to remove the disgraced physician’s name from the child’s birth certificate.”

In Illinois, the short form birth certificate does not include the physician’s name. Under Crowe’s proposal, a parent or 18 year old child can request a long form birth certificate with the physician’s name removed. The redacted certified copy of the birth certificate does not replace the original certificate.

SPRINGFIELD – To address cases of sexual abuse against mothers while giving birth, State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) advanced legislation to allow parents to remove the physician’s name from a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

“When giving birth, women trust their physician to offer support, guidance and encouragement on one of the happiest, most memorable days of her life,” Crowe said. “Unfortunately, there are multiple cases where mothers endure sexual assault and abuse in the process, and this measure aims to remove the disgraced physician’s name from the child’s birth certificate.”

In Illinois, the short form birth certificate does not include the physician’s name. Under Crowe’s proposal, a parent or 18 year old child can request a long form birth certificate with the physician’s name removed. The redacted certified copy of the birth certificate does not replace the original certificate.