SPRINGFIELD –The City of Decatur will see a combined $4 million investment in bike paths and sidewalks, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) announced Monday.

“This is a great investment for the city of Decatur, especially as we head into the warmest months of the year,” Said Turner. “This grant creates an opportunity for safe activities for families, residents and cyclist.”

Residents of the Central Illinois area will see improvements to Stevens Creek Bikeway 2A and Decatur Route 51 Bike/Walkway. 

The Park District will use the grant funding to acquire 31.7 acres of land located in the northwest portion of Decatur.  The land will allow for access to the current 10-foot-wide asphalt bike trail, which is 9.8 miles long with an additional 1.5 miles under development.  The new gain in land will help complete the final 2 miles of the Stevens Creek Bikeway.

These projects are part of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, for which the Illinois Department of Transportation has selected 99 projects totaling $105.7 million. Projects receiving funding in this round of investment include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification, and other projects designed to encourage safe travel across the various modes of transportation at the local level.

Learn more about the program, eligible projects and the application process here.

CHAMPAIGN — To prevent the “summer slide,” State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign is launching a Summer Reading Club for children and young people who live in the 52^nd State Senate District.

Bennett is launching the club to counteract summer learning loss, which occurs when students “turn off their brains” during the summer months.

“Children of all ages can greatly benefit from a summer reading program,” Bennett said. “In fact, keeping kids engaged in books while they’re young will boost lifelong learning and ensure they are prepared for the next school year.”  

Studies indicate that 2 months of reading skills and 2 ½ months of math skills are lost over a single summer.

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books and return the form to Bennett’s office by Aug. 11. Everyone who completes the summer reading club will receive a gift card and certificate from Senator Bennett.  

“Reading through the summer months keeps young minds engaged,” Bennett said. “This program will encourage our youth to get into a reading routine and stay sharp for the school year ahead.”

To receive a book club form, visit SenatorBennett.com to download and print the form. Parents can also call Bennett’s Champaign office at 217-355-5252 or Danville office at 217-442-5252 to request a copy by mail.

Bennett urges interested residents to call his office with any additional questions.

BUFFALO GROVE – Lake County residents will be able to enjoy the outdoors more safely thanks to over $2.5 million in funding to improve local bike paths and sidewalks, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) announced.

“Walking and biking are great ways to get outside, stay healthy and enjoy time with friends and family,” Johnson said. “These investments will ensure residents can continue to enjoy our beautiful natural spaces for years to come.”

Residents of Lake County will see improvements to a number of area trails for pedestrians and bicyclists, including over $500,000 to advance the Route 60 Bicycle Path Connectivity Project and $2 million to complete Stage 4 of the Patriot Path, a 5.5-mile pedestrian and bicycle route along Route 137 between Libertyville and North Chicago.

PARK FOREST— In an effort to maintain student progress outside the classroom, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is launching a Summer Reading Club for children and young people who live in the 40^th State Senate District.

Joyce is launching a Summer Reading Club to counteract summer learning loss, which occurs when students “turn off their brains” during summer months.

“Summer reading is critical in keeping our children engaged and curious for the next academic year,” Joyce said. “I am encouraging young readers to set aside 10-15 minutes a day to read and make it a part of their summer routine.”

SPRINGFIELD – To expand workers’ rights protections and economic opportunity for communities, casino applicants will be required to use union labor when seeking a new or renewed casino license thanks to a measure co-sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) that was signed into law Thursday.

“Illinois workers need access to economic opportunity and deserve assurance their jobs are secure,” Belt said. “This measure is exactly what our state needs to protect the hard working individuals, especially to ensure jobs in the Metro East continue to be available in the future.”

EDWARDSVILLE – Under the leadership of vice-chair State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon), members of the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee met Thursday at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville to allow Metro East industry leaders and owners the opportunity to address lawmakers and give feedback on the state’s economic recovery plan.

“The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on the state economy, keeping residents close to home and taking a particularly staggering toll on Illinois’ tourism industry,” Crowe said. “By giving local business owners the opportunity to address lawmakers directly, we can work to truly recover from the pandemic’s hardships to craft plans and policies at the state level to help our communities bounce back.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) met with Joseph “Jo Jo” Awinongya, Jr. on Wednesday to present him with a certificate for his outstanding achievements in boxing.

“It was a pleasure and a privilege to meet Jo Jo and express to him how proud we all are of his achievements,” Connor said. “He’s an outstanding young man and an exceptional role model for so many young people in our community that you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Hailing from Joliet, Awinongya is a four-time national boxing champion in his age division, a Junior Olympic National Champion, and a recipient of the Silver Gloves National Championship. He trains with his father, Joseph Awinongya, Sr., who is referred to as “Ringmaster.”

“He’s got a whole community supporting him as he continues to follow his dreams,” Connor said. “With such an incredible work ethic and dedication to his sport, I know Jo Jo will keep doing big things.”

Awinongya was recently nominated for the Joliet Chamber Scholarship and was admitted to Joliet Junior College.

BUFFALO GROVE – To help Illinois renters and landlords take advantage of up to $25,000 or 15 months in assistance through the Illinois Rental Payment Program, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is partnering with the Illinois Housing Development Authority to host an informational webinar via Facebook Live on June 10 at 6 p.m.

“The pandemic took a toll on working families, putting many Illinoisans at risk of homelessness or housing instability,” Johnson said. “This program could be a lifeline for the thousands of households that are still struggling.”

During the webinar, an official from the Illinois Housing Development Authority will provide a walkthrough of the application process, offer helpful tips and answer questions. The event will be streamed live on Johnson’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/SenAlJohnson. 

The Illinois Rental Payment Program is an emergency rental assistance program designed to support households in Illinois that are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant can cover the past due rent from the previous 12 months and future rental assistance for the next three months, if deemed necessary, up to $25,000.

Landlords have until June 7 to initiate an application, and tenants will have until June 13 to complete their portion of the application. Alternatively, tenants can begin initiating applications June 9.

For more information and to apply for the Illinois Rental Payment Program, visit IHDA.org.