SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois heads toward a greener future, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is advancing a measure to incentivize the use of electric motorcycles, which have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional ones.

“From the landmark climate legislation we passed last year, to a recent law incentivizing electric vehicle companies to take up shop here, Illinois has done a lot to ensure a clean energy future,” Cullerton said. “We want to make sure no one is left out of the transition to electric vehicles.”

The landmark Clean and Equitable Jobs Act included a provision to offer people who purchase electric cars in Illinois a rebate to help incentivize the transition to cleaner cars. Cullerton’s measure, Senate Bill 2940, would extend a rebate to those who purchase electric motorcycles.   

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) issued a statement following Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address Wednesday:

“While every community has unique needs, we can all agree that making sure Illinois families get the necessary resources to get ahead is a top priority, along with helping our economy bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The increased allocations through the Local Government Distributive Fund will allow our municipalities  to respond to the issues that most affect their residents and help them get back to normalcy.

SPRINGFIELD – Veterans and other members of the public will have a way to voice their concerns regarding the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park).

“The tragic COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home in 2020 made it clear that we needed to support veterans and IDVA staff by demanding further transparency from the department,” said Cullerton, chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affair committee and a veteran himself. “The new Veterans Accountability Unit will give our veterans and those who care for them a direct way to voice any concerns they have.”

The new law, Public Act 102-0695, creates the unit, with offices to be housed in IDVA buildings and veterans’ homes. The unit will be responsible for reporting complaints and recommendations from veterans, IDVA employees and other Illinois residents to the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor.

Cullerton announces next round of Back to Business grant recipients

VILLA PARK – Dozens of local businesses in and around DuPage County were recently awarded over $2.3 million in funding from the Back to Business Program to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the support of State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park).

“Businesses across the state have been negatively impacted in the last two years, especially in the tourism and hospitality industry,” Cullerton said. “These grants are giving DuPage County businesses a much needed boost to get back on their feet as we continue to recover.”

The B2B program grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget, which had the strong support of Cullerton. So far, DCEO has provided $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.

VILLA PARK – Thanks to support from State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), two local libraries in the district he represents were awarded grants to respond to difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m happy to see that two libraries in our community were awarded these grants to expand their services and help them recover from the ongoing pandemic,” Cullerton said. “The resources provided by these institutions is irreplaceable, especially during these difficult times.”

Wood Dale Public Library is receiving $24,973 and Roselle Public Library is receiving $13,279 of the nearly $6 million being awarded by the Illinois Office of the Secretary of State.

The grants were awarded to allow libraries to help provide resources to job seekers, expand digital inclusion efforts and increase their capacity to keep their spaces clean, safe and healthy as the state works to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

SPRINGFIELD – Recently passed laws to help support veterans across Illinois went into effect Jan. 1.

“Prioritizing our veterans who have given so much for our country is always a top priority,” State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), a veteran and chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said. “I’m proud of the bipartisan work conducted during the spring and fall sessions to bring us these new laws to help our military members and veterans thrive in Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the preventable deaths in Illinois veterans’ homes from COVID-19 and legionella over the past several years, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) sponsored a measure to create the Veterans’ Accountability Unit, which passed the Senate Wednesday.

“After the tragic COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home last year, it is imperative that the agencies charged with helping our veterans have proper oversight,” said Cullerton, chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs committee. “The Veterans Accountability Unit provides an extra layer of transparency that can help prevent future issues.”

The legislation, House Bill 359, creates the unit, with offices to be housed in Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs buildings and veterans’ homes. The unit will be tasked with reporting complaints and recommendations from veterans, IDVA employees and other Illinois residents to the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor.

Additionally, the unit will establish a toll-free helpline and email, maintain regular office hours and create an annual report that includes a summary of complaints and actions taken in response to them.

“The Veterans’ Accountability Unit will make sure our veterans have even more seats the table when it comes to their care in Illinois,” Cullerton said. “We must continue to do what we can to make sure the veterans who have sacrificed so much are properly supported.”

HB 359 passed the Senate Wednesday and will now move to the House for further consideration.

VILLA PARK – To help offset losses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) is urging local businesses to submit their applications for the Back to Business grant program before the Oct. 13 deadline.

“The Back to Business program has already helped over a dozen businesses in our community,” Cullerton said. “Submitting your application before the deadline could help your business get the funds needed to bounce back from this pandemic.”

The B2B program will provide grants ranging in size from $5,000 to $150,000, commensurate with losses experienced. The deadline for applications for B2B grants is Oct. 13, and grants are awarded on a rolling basis.

Funding for the B2B program comes from $250 million in American Rescue Plan Act money. To date, businesses in the 23^rd district have received nearly $700,000 cumulatively.

“The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is working hard to make sure local businesses get the funding they need,” Cullerton said. “I encourage business owners to utilize the DCEO website and local Community Navigator organizations to get the help they need to apply.”

For more information on the B2B program and to access the application, visit the DCEO website.