SPRINGFIELD – As rates of suicide and depression among young people rise, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) advanced a measure that would ensure suicide prevention information is readily available to college students.

“This past year has not been easy on anyone, including our college students, many of whom lost their jobs or were forced to move unexpectedly,” Cullerton said. “Crisis hotlines are vital resources for those who feel like they have nowhere else to turn. The easier these resources are to access, the better.”

VILLA PARK – The Carol Stream Park District will receive $180,000 to renovate a 0.95-mile, 8-foot-wide asphalt trail that runs adjacent to Mitchell Lakes Park, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) announced this week.

“As the weather starts to get warmer, it’s the perfect time to go outside and get active,” Cullerton said. “Bike trails provide an opportunity for safe transportation and recreation, and a grant like this will be a great investment for the park district to improve the trail near Mitchell Lakes Park.”

The grant comes from the Bicycle Path Grant Program, which has been administered since 1990 by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to provide grants to eligible local governments for new bike paths. This year, the program will fund seven bike path projects across the state totaling more than $800,000.

Learn more about the program, eligible projects and the application process on the IDNR website.

SPRINGFIELD – To assist military personnel and their spouses, Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is spearheading a measure to waive application and examination fees for professional and occupational licenses through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

“Members of our military and their families give up so much to serve our country,” said Cullerton, who serves as the chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs committee. “By waiving the fees for applications and exams for professional licenses, we hope to support them in advancing their careers outside of the military.”

VILLA PARK – As COVID-19 vaccination distribution ramps up, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) is pleased to announce that the AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center in Glendale Oaks is set to receive 300 to 500 more doses of the vaccine per week thanks to a new pilot program to reach underserved communities.

“I’m pleased to see that AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center in the 23rd District is one of the hospitals receiving additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine,” Cullerton said. “The pilot program is a strong step in the right direction to ensuring people across our communities have access to this vital vaccine to help end this awful pandemic.”

The new pilot program comes from a partnership between Gov. Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health and federally qualified health centers and safety net hospitals across the state. The hospitals chosen for the first round of the pilot program were determined using IDPH’s COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index and local vaccination rates.

“Providing support to communities hit hardest by COVID-19 is essential. These additional doses are so important to raising our vaccination rates and getting everybody protected against this virus,” Cullerton said.

Vaccines will be available to residents by appointment only. More information on vaccination through AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center can be found here: https://www.amitahealth.org/covid-19/vaccine

  To find additional information about vaccine availability, including locations and eligibility, visit https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/.

SPRINGFIELD – On Tuesday, Nov. 24, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) convened the Illinois State Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee to discuss the handling of the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, which has already claimed 27 lives. 

“What’s been happening at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home is a tragedy,” Cullerton said. “I called this hearing to get clear answers about what happened and what’s being done to fix it. Transparency is the key to ensuring our veterans are receiving the care they deserve.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is convening the Illinois State Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee to examine the handling of the COVID-19 spread at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m.

“This hearing will help answer questions and give the residents, their families and Senate committee members greater insight into the safety protocols used by the LaSalle Veterans’ Home staff to keep our veterans healthy and safe,” Cullerton said. “We hope to work together to ensure our veterans receive the best care possible.”

More than 150 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. The LaSalle facility can provide care for up to 184 veterans, according to the agency’s website, and the facility currently has 121 residents and 230 active employees.

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is encouraging local fire departments to take advantage of the state’s Small Equipment Grant program.

The program provides $3.3 million in funding across the state for firefighting personal protection equipment, infection control items and other small equipment. Organizations can be awarded up to $26,000.

“The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a reminder that our first responders and firefighters continuously put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe and healthy,” Cullerton said. “This grant program serves as a resource to assist in ensuring they have the vital tools and resources to do their jobs effectively.”

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is pleased to announce businesses in the 23^rd State Senate District will receive more than $400,000 in financial assistance from the Business Interruption Grant program to help offset financial losses stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and he is encouraging more to apply.

“Our local businesses are the foundation of our communities,” Cullerton said. “These funds will help our small businesses keep their doors open and employees and customers safe during this awful pandemic.”

Each business received between $5,000 and $150,000 to be used to help cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic.