ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — Students enrolled in District 214’s Culinary Arts ProStart Career Pathway rose to the challenge as they baked sweet and savory breads during State Senator Ann Gillespie’s second annual Great District 214 Culinary Competition Bake-Off on Thursday.

“I am so impressed with the talent and creativity students displayed this year,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Congratulations to our winners; I know you will be successful as you continue your culinary journey.”

Teams from Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove and Rolling Meadows high schools competed in savory and sweet categories. The winning dishes, both from Elk Grove High School teams, were jalapeño popper monkey bread from Alejandro Pons Jurado and Jonathan Alvarado in the savory category, and caramel macchiato cream cheese muffins from Samantha Rowan and Adam Chamala in the sweet category. The students will each receive scholarship funds to attend Harper College.

Dishes were evaluated by a panel of judges that included Gillespie; Grace Goudie, executive chef at Scratchboard Kitchen; Heather Henkel, manager/confectioner at Kilwin’s; Charlie Brown, executive chef at The Moorings; and Brian Baseggio, chef at The Makerplace, Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

The Bake-Off was held in Arlington Heights Memorial Library’s Makerplace facility in partnership with Township High School District 214, Harper College, Arlington Heights Memorial Library and the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce.

SPRINGFIELD – People needing a prosthetic or orthotic device to perform certain physical activities may soon have an easier time obtaining the equipment they need, thanks to a measure led by State Senator Ann Gillespie.

“Proper prosthetic and orthotic devices can be life-changing,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “It is unacceptable that a lack of insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs prevent people from getting the devices they need to be physically active.”

Current law requires accident and health insurance plans to cover prosthetic and orthotic devices when they are deemed medically necessary. Senate Bill 2195, which passed the Illinois Senate on Wednesday, expands the definition of what is considered medically necessary to include physical activities like running, biking, swimming and weight lifting.

SPRINGFIELD — Youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services often have several adults speaking on their behalf regarding what is in their best interest. To ensure youth have a say in their future and guaranteed legal representation, State Senator Ann Gillespie passed legislation out of the Senate on Friday.

“Youth in care are the experts when it comes to what they need; they should have a say in the decisions being made about their lives,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “This legislation gives youth in care an attorney who will elevate their voice and advocate for their wishes.”

SPRINGFIELD — Building on her commitment to creating long-term solutions for affordable housing shortages across the state, State Senator Ann Gillespie passed legislation in the Illinois Senate that will require more communities to have plans in place to meet the needs of low- to moderate-income families.

“A lack of access to affordable living spaces is a challenge we must continue to address,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “There is more to be done to make sure families, including our most vulnerable, do not find themselves priced out of the area in which they reside.”

Under the Illinois Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act, local governments are exempt if at least 10% of their housing stock consists of affordable housing. This designation results in about 46 of Illinois' 1,298 municipalities being covered by the act, which requires a plan detailing the total number of affordable housing units available and intended steps to ramp up offerings to meet demand.

SPRINGFIELD — Youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services are one step closer to guaranteed legal representation thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Ann Gillespie that passed committee on Tuesday.

“Youth in care deserve to have a voice in the decisions being made about their future,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Guaranteeing they have legal representation puts someone in their corner — an advocate who will stand up in court and fight for the outcomes the child wants to see.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie and child welfare advocates announced legislation that would provide youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services with legal representation on Wednesday.

“Children and youth with lived experience in our child welfare system have overwhelmingly voiced their desire to be seen, heard and represented,” said Gillespie. “We must join the vast majority of states that provide legal representation to youth in care so that our most vulnerable have expert help in leaving the foster care system and can go on to live safe, dignified lives.”

Illinois is one of seven states that does not guarantee legal counsel to at least some youth in care, and one of 14 states that does not guarantee legal representation for all children in child welfare proceedings. Without legal representation, children are left to navigate complex proceedings on their own, putting them at risk of receiving unfair treatment or having vital decisions about their future made without their input.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Building on the smart infrastructure investments supported by State Senator Ann Gillespie, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced an investment of more than $140 million in the 27^th Senate District.

“Illinoisans spend roughly $1,000 more on vehicle repairs each year due to the poor conditions of our roads,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “These investments will rehabilitate roads, bridges and highways in our community, addressing our aging infrastructure and saving commuters in the long run.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Project under the Rebuild Illinois program, the 27^th District will see 21 infrastructure projects totaling $140,146,000 over the next six years.

These projects are part of IDOT’s multi-year plan, a $34.6 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years.  

The $34.6 billion will go to highway reconstruction and preservation, bridge improvements, strategic expansion, system support such as engineering and land acquisition, and safety and system modernizations. Over six years, the funding will be dispersed to improve more than 2,500 miles of roads and nearly 10 million square feet of bridges.

To find a full list of projects slated for the 27^th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS –State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade – depriving millions of women of their right to choose: