KANKAKEE — State Senator Patrick Joyce recently joined the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to announce the reopening of the popular Chippewa campground, located in Kankakee River State Park.

“I have always been an advocate for outdoor recreation and activities, so it is amazing to finally see this campsite open back up,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “We are thrilled to welcome people back to Chippewa. After being closed for some time, we can now ensure a safe and enjoyable space where families and campers can go to spend time outdoors.”

The Chippewa campground closed at the end of the fall 2015 camping season after a pump broke in the 1,700-foot well that serves the campground. The well provides water for drinking, bathing, cleaning and more. The project included construction of a new facility to treat water on site and other improvements. Work was delayed during the two-year state budget impasse.

The campground is located on Illinois 102, about two miles west of the Kankakee River State Park main office. It has 98 total campsites, which are available by reservation only. Reservations can be made at ExploreMoreIL.com.

DECATUR – As strong advocates of Illinois’ agriculture industry, State Senators Paul Faraci and Doris Turner joined state officials and agriculture leaders at the 2023 Farm Progress Show to support increasing access to mental health services for rural farmers and agriculture communities.

“Mental health affects people from all professions — especially farmers whose job, success and livelihood relies on many things out of their control,” said Turner (D-Springfield), chair of the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee. “Together, we can uplift the health and well-being of some of our state’s hardest working individuals.”

Initiated through the legislative leadership of Former Champaign State Senator Scott Bennett, the Farm Family Resource Initiative started as a joint pilot program of SIU School of Medicine and the Illinois Department of Agriculture in 2019. It originated as a pilot program covering six Illinois counties providing telehealth mental health access in addition to a helpline. Following its overwhelming success, the FFRI was expanded to cover all 102 counties in the state. In addition to the telehealth helpline, family members can now access six free telehealth mental health sessions.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — State Senator Ann Gillespie has been chosen to join the 2023-24 cohort of the Milbank Fellows Program, a 10-month leadership program focused on public policy to improve health outcomes. This year’s class includes 24 legislative and executive branch leaders from around the country whose work demonstrates a commitment to bringing health equity to their communities.

“I am honored to join leaders from across the country who are also committed to improving health care outcomes within our communities,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “As a state senator with a background in health care, I have made it a priority to advance legislation addressing health care issues, including access and affordability. I look forward to using the knowledge and skills I gain from this program to make a difference in the lives of the people I represent.”

Belt secures funding to tackle carjackings in Metro East

EAST ST. LOUIS — State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure a $2.4 million grant for the Metro East Auto Task Force — a move that will prevent carjackings, vehicle theft and break-ins throughout the community.

“The uptick in carjackings is a disturbing trend,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Innocent people are being targeted by this senseless crime across Illinois — and particularly in the Metro East.”

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Toro applauds federal grant supporting women in trades

CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro is celebrating recent news of a $1.3 million federal grant to the Illinois Department of Labor in support of women in the construction industry.

“The skilled trades are a male-dominated industry, with women making up only a small percentage of the workforce — this is especially true for women of color,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This funding will support programs to train the next generation of tradeswomen and set them up for high-paying apprenticeships and careers.”

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Murphy condemns bomb threats against public libraries

DES PLAINES — State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) released the below statement following multiple bomb threats to suburban Chicago libraries:

“Libraries are sanctuaries of learning, growth and togetherness—they are the very heart of our communities. Threats of violence against libraries is an affront to our shared values. I condemn the cowardly attempts to undermine the open exchange of ideas and interrupt these vital institutions."

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DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) released the below statement following multiple bomb threats to suburban Chicago libraries:

“Libraries are sanctuaries of learning, growth and togetherness—they are the very heart of our communities. Threats of violence against libraries is an affront to our shared values. I condemn the cowardly attempts to undermine the open exchange of ideas and interrupt these vital institutions.

“The individuals making these threats want to instill fear in our communities, but we cannot allow this fear to win. Now that these individuals cannot silence ideas by banning books, they use threats of violence to try to achieve their insidious goals. They want us to be as afraid as they are, that is why it is more than ever we need to show our support for our public libraries. We must stand united against hatred and ignorance, and defend the principles that our country was founded on.”

CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro is celebrating Wednesday’s news of a $1.3 million federal grant to the Illinois Department of Labor in support of women in the construction industry.  

“The skilled trades are a male-dominated industry, with women making up only a small percentage of the workforce — this is especially true for women of color,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This funding will support programs to train the next generation of tradeswomen and set them up for high-paying apprenticeships and careers.”

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $1.3 million to IDOL and Chicago Women in Trades to support the creation of equity plans and increase women’s inclusion in construction industry jobs. The grant is funded through the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in 2021.

With this grant, Chicago Women in Trades will provide guidance on program design and best practices to construction companies, unions, public bodies and other stakeholders in order to promote workforce equity on infrastructure projects.

“Chicago Women in Trades has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting equitable access for women in construction and other industries,” said Toro. “I look forward to seeing more women from all backgrounds succeed in these jobs that were once out of reach.”

CHICAGO – In support of tradeswomen-led efforts to train and support the entry of more women into infrastructure and construction jobs, State Senator Willie Preston commends a $1.35 million federal investment to the Illinois Department of Labor to fund the undertaking.

“As a small business owner of a construction firm, I am excited to see an industry diversified that typically lacks opportunities for women,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “This federal grant is a huge win for Illinois in dismantling systemic barriers for women and creates equitable pathways for communities that have historically left behind.”

A $1.3 million federal grant to the Illinois Department of Labor will help bring more women into the construction industry, where they make up barely 4% of the workforce nationwide. The funding to the Illinois Department of Labor will allow Chicago Women in Trades to provide specific guidance on program design and best practices to construction companies, unions, public bodies, and other stakeholders to promote workforce equity on infrastructure projects. The funding seeks to promote gender equity and inclusion in the male-dominated field through established equity goals while prioritizing local federally financed infrastructure projects and empowering more women to join their local workforce.

EAST ST. LOUIS — State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure a $2.4 million grant for the Metro East Auto Task Force — a move that will prevent carjackings, vehicle theft and break-ins throughout the community.

“The uptick in carjackings is a disturbing trend,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Innocent people are being targeted by this senseless crime across Illinois — and particularly in the Metro East.”

With carjackings on the rise, Belt stood alongside Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to announce a $2.4 million grant for the Metro East Auto Task Force. The group is a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies to investigate and prevent auto thefts, carjacking and other related crimes.