Senator Napoleon Harris III News

Details: Category: Senator Napoleon Harris III News; Published: Thursday, April 01, 2021 02:59 PM

DOLTON – As Black communities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) announcing schools in the 15^th District are set to receive an estimated $261,020,731 in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on our Black communities, and I’m glad to see that the Black Caucus’ efforts are helping make a change,” Harris said. “Providing guidelines on how to spend the funding will increase justice for our communities and help them move forward.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

Local school districts are set to receive the following amounts:

Arbor Park School District 145	$2,831,311
Bloom Township High School District 206	$18,806,767
Bremen Community High School District 228	$13,781,814
Brookwood School District 167	$5,715,703
Community Consolidated Schools District 168	$9,611,391
Community High School District 218	$16,124,982
Dolton School District 148	$19,654,519
Dolton School District 149	$18,151,219
Flossmoor School District 161	$4,108,837
Ford Heights School District 169	$6,557,921
Forest Ridge School District 142	$3,523,595
Harvey School District 152	$20,263,089
Hazel Crest School District 152-5	$7,769,398
Homewood Flossmoor Community High School District 233	$1,852,853
Homewood School District 153	$2,527,895
Hoover-Schrum Memorial School District 157	$5,434,521
Lansing School District 158	$9,416,356
Midlothian School District 143	$6,339,376
Posen-Robbins School District 143-5	$8,266,583
Prairie-Hills School District 144	$16,502,652
South Holland School District 150	$3,465,547
South Holland School District 151	$7,785,862
Steger School District 194	$4,961,072
Thornton School District 154	$742,404
Thornton Township High School District 205	$30,998,704
West Harvey-Dixmoor School District 147	$15,826,360

The majority of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, which gives local schools a great deal of flexibility in how they can use the money over the next 3 ½ years. At least 20% of the funding must be used to address learning loss, but beyond that, school districts can use the money to address many different issues and costs. For example, it can be used to better equip schools for safe learning, to prevent layoffs, to address students’ social and emotional needs, to fund summer programs, or to ensure all students have access to reliable Wi-Fi and technology.

The State Board of Education, in collaboration with other state agencies that address education, has produced a guide for local school districts to help them decide how to best use their resources. While the guide and other state-sponsored services are completely voluntary, the state aims to support local districts during this difficult time.

“Our Black students and teachers were some of the people most impacted by this pandemic, so our local school districts need to use the funds in a way that helps them overcome their barriers,” Harris said. “This federal funding means a lot for Illinois’ education system, and it will go a long way to help the 15th district community."

In total, Illinois received nearly $7 billion to support local school districts.

Details: Category: Senator Napoleon Harris III News; Published: Thursday, March 04, 2021 12:18 PM

Senator Harris HARVEY – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) announced Family Christian Center will serve as a COVID-19 vaccination site for Harvey and surrounding south side communities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted disadvantaged communities, which is why it’s vital that communities like Harvey have access to the vaccine,” Harris said. “Family Christian Health Center already provides so much support to the Southland, and I’m glad they will now be able to provide vaccinations to community members who need it the most.”

Details: Category: Senator Napoleon Harris III News; Published: Thursday, February 25, 2021 04:28 PM

RIVERDALE — State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) announced the Carver Park Fieldhouse will undergo a $759,858 Rebuild Illinois renovation project to provide expanded athletic and recreational facilities, space for incubators and job skills training to the community.

“The rehabilitation of Carver Park Fieldhouse will not only provide a safe space for athletics but will lead the way to expanding job training and skills development for businesses and residents throughout our community,” Harris said. “This and other Shovel Ready grants will make the highest and best use of our statewide capital plan by improving infrastructure to meet the needs of community members today while setting the stage for broader economic development in the future.”

The Carver Park Fieldhouse is located in the Riverdale community and features a gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, boxing ring and multi-purpose clubrooms. The outside of the fieldhouse offers a playground, baseball diamonds, a batting cage, a sand volleyball court, basketball courts and a picnic area.

The investment for this project comes from the Shovel Ready Infrastructure Capital Program. Shovel Ready funding will help boost essential community development projects, including those that repurpose vacant land in disadvantaged communities into valuable community spaces.

Shovel Ready projects are supported by Rebuild Illinois – the state’s $45 billion, 5-year capital program.

All Shovel Ready projects will follow minority business participation requirements of the State of Illinois' Business Enterprise Program and will meet local hiring requirements through the Illinois Works program.

Details: Category: Senator Napoleon Harris III News; Published: Wednesday, February 03, 2021 02:52 PM

Harris

Senator Harris DOLTON - State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) released the following statement on the NFL using race as a category to judge whether ex-players should be paid for head injury claims Wednesday:

"It's sickening that the National Football League uses race to determine concussion settlements. Black players who sustained injuries while playing deserve the same support as white players. This is further proof the NFL does not care about players' livelihoods after their football career is finished – but rather only when they can help the league.

Details: Category: Senator Napoleon Harris III News; Published: Tuesday, February 02, 2021 05:06 PM

Harris

Senator Harris DOLTON – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) will host a virtual town hall to share updated information on the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda and COVID-19 vaccines.

Harris will be broadcasting the town hall live on Feb. 9, at 6 p.m., from his Facebook page.

“After the January session, many residents had questions about the package of legislation we passed. This town hall is a great opportunity for them to get answers,” Harris said. “I urge community members to join to understand the Black Caucus’ agenda is all about equality and inclusion for people of color.”

During the January session, the Illinois Senate Legislative Black Caucus passed the most comprehensive legislative package in the nation to rid Illinois of systemic racism. The purpose of the town hall is to clarify misconceptions about the measures and answer any outstanding questions.

Harris will also discuss the state’s vaccination distribution plan.

For questions or additional information, Harris urges residents to contact his office at 708-893-0552 or visit his website.

Details: Category: Senator Napoleon Harris III News; Published: Friday, January 29, 2021 04:19 PM

pexels berend de kort 1002747 DOLTON - As winter weather continues to reach freezing temperatures, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) reminds homeowners to check their home heating and alarm devices to make sure they are still functioning properly.

“A proper home inspection is critical in ensuring your home is equipped with the quality heating it needs to fight off the coldness of our winter season,” Harris said. “However, it is also important to check your furnace, furnace filter and smoke detectors to ensure your family is safe from potential fires.”

Details: Category: Senator Napoleon Harris III News; Published: Friday, January 29, 2021 01:25 PM

Harris DOLTON – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) will host a virtual town hall to share updated information on the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda and COVID-19 vaccines.

Harris will be broadcasting the town hall live on Feb. 2, at 6.pm. from his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SenatorNapoleonBHarrisIII.

“After the January session, many residents had questions about the package of legislation we passed. This town hall is a great opportunity for them to get answers,” Harris said. “I urge community members to join to understand the Black Caucus’ agenda is all about equality and inclusion for people of color.”

Details: Category: Senator Napoleon Harris III News; Published: Thursday, January 21, 2021 11:17 AM

Senator Harris DOLTON – As small businesses continue to suffer from the national health crisis, State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) is honored to announces that a combined 86 local businesses were awarded over a million dollars during the second round of the Business Interruption Grant program.

“Small businesses play an important role in supporting their local communities but have had a time tough time staying relevant amongst this pandemic,” Harris said. “Many of these businesses have little cash on hand or resources to buffer even with a minor financial infraction, so it’s vital that we provide them with the financial assistance to continue to bolster our local economies.”