EMT recruitment legislation sponsored by Halpin, Anderson passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin passed a measure through the Senate aimed at creating incentives to recruit much-needed emergency medical technicians in Illinois fire departments.

“Now that we’ve gotten this passed, we need to ensure the money is appropriated in this year’s budget,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “I look forward to working with Senator Anderson to get it done.”

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Johnson: We are a step closer to implementing changes that will protect the future safety of residents

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson advanced a measure to expand training on lights and sirens for ambulance drivers going through red lights during emergencies.

“Today we are one step closer to implementing changes that will protect the future safety of residents.” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “I look forward to working with first responders and people in our community to enhance training for ambulance drivers.”

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$14 million in capital grants coming to nonprofit human services providers, thanks to Illinois Senate Democrats

CHICAGO – State Senators Julie Morrison, Ann Gillespie and Omar Aquino joined the Department of Human Services and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on Friday to announce awards totaling $14 million in Rebuild Illinois funding that will provide critical safety and accessibility improvements to 70 social service providers across 24 counties.

Awarded under the first-ever competitive Human Services Capital Investment Grant Program, the funds will help nonprofit human services providers address physical construction and accessibility needs. The program was designed to prioritize disproportionately impacted areas, the expansion of human services and to address fire prevention and mitigation needs, such as the installation of fire sprinkler systems.

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Preston and Consulate General of Israel host tour of Green Book Exhibit

SKOKIE – State Senator Willie Preston and the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest teamed up to co-host a tour of the Green Book exhibit currently on display at the Illinois Holocaust Museum.

The Green Book exhibit tells the story of the Green Book, a guidebook that Black Americans used during the Jim Crow era to navigate safe spaces in the South. The exhibit explores the history of the Green Book and its importance as a tool for Black Americans to protect themselves from discrimination and violence.

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CREST HILL – With strong support from State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, Stepping Stones Treatment Center is set to receive $240,000 to help address physical construction and accessibility needs.

“Stepping Stones plays an important role in our community by providing treatment services for those in need,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “This strong investment allows the center to grow and continue making a positive impact on residents in Joliet and across Will County.”

A total of $14 million was awarded to 70 human services providers across the state through the Human Services Capital Investment Grant program. The program was designed to prioritize disproportionately impacted areas, the expansion of human services, and to address fire prevention and mitigation.

Stepping Stones in Joliet professionally treats addiction, anxiety, depression and dual diagnosis. The $240,000 grant will be used to expand treatment service physical capacity by 34 people and meet all ADA and safety compliance standards to ensure a safe, healthy environment for staff and clients. With the funding, the center will add beds and a kitchen for the two extended care units, replace its outdated HVAC system and degraded exterior siding and windows, update its electrical system to meet safety compliance requirements, and remodel two bathrooms.

Click here for a full list of Human Services Capital Investment Grant program recipients.

WAUKEGAN – State Senator Adriane Johnson celebrates another win for community health initiatives with a $500,000 investment in an asthma mobile unit designed for Waukegan and North Chicago.

“Each step we take for the betterment of our community is a step in the right direction,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “It is my hope that together, we can provide the resources necessary for a healthier community.”

 The Christopher Redding Youth Asthma Foundation, founded in 2013, is managing the asthma van as they share a vision in serving the community with Senator Johnson. The Asthma Mobile Unit will provide asthma and allergy medicine to Lake County, concentrating on Waukegan and North Chicago. They will service families and youth living with asthma, with an emphasis on lessening the potentially adverse health effects on asthmatic youth and young adults involved in athletics in underserved communities.

CHICAGO – State Senators Julie Morrison, Omar Aquino and Ann Gillespie joined the Department of Human Services and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on Friday to announce awards totaling $14 million in Rebuild Illinois funding that will provide critical safety and accessibility improvements to 70 social service providers across 24 counties.

Awarded under the first-ever competitive Human Services Capital Investment Grant Program, the funds will help nonprofit human services providers address physical construction and accessibility needs. The program was designed to prioritize disproportionately impacted areas, the expansion of human services and to address fire prevention and mitigation needs, such as the installation of fire sprinkler systems.

SKOKIE - State Senator Willie Preston and the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest teamed up to co-host a tour of the Green Book exhibit currently on display at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. 

The Green Book exhibit tells the story of the Green Book, a guidebook that Black Americans used during the Jim Crow era to navigate safe spaces in the South. The exhibit explores the history of the Green Book and its importance as a tool for Black Americans to protect themselves from discrimination and violence.

State Senator Willie Preston was proud to co-host the event and hopes that it will bring attention to the important role that the Green Book played in American history.

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.

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes is pleased to announce that the Illinois Commerce Commission’s Five-Year Plan includes $400,000 in funding to improve five railroad crossings in the 42^nd District.

The plan includes funding from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund and the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan to address at-grade crossings where a public highway crosses the railroad. These funds are intended to address longstanding safety concerns.

“Railroads are vital to our local and state economies and play a big role in public transit, so improved crossings will ensure these daily moves occur safely and smoothly,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “This is yet another stage of the Rebuild Illinois program in which we’ve invested millions in repairing, replacing and building new roads, bridges and transit to keep Illinois prepared for the future.”

Four crossings in Kendall County are planned for improvements in Fiscal Year 2023 in Bristol, Montgomery and two in Yorkville, while one in Plainfield is set for Fiscal Year 2024.

More information on the plan can be found on ICC’s website: https://www.icc.illinois.gov/.

CHICAGO — National Louis University will help expand the state’s pool of early childhood providers and increase faculty diversity in the field thanks to an Early Childhood Faculty Preparation Grant, State Senator Mattie Hunter announced Monday.

“By supporting the development of a diverse and well-prepared early childhood faculty, we are investing in the future success of our children and communities,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “I am thrilled to see National Louis University receive this funding to help students pursue their passion for teaching while filling a need in our state.”

The Illinois Board of Higher Education awarded $3.37 million in Early Childhood Faculty Preparation grants to four universities — including $1,191,511 to National Louis University — to implement programs of study for working adults from diverse backgrounds and those who work with diverse populations interested in becoming early childhood faculty. The grants will fund scholarships and other academic and holistic supports for 78 students to earn master’s degrees.

“This grant is an important step forward in ensuring all children in Illinois have access to high-quality education early on,” said Hunter. “Our education system relies on a pipeline of diverse faculty to support it, and these scholarships will help reduce the burden on those seeking to join the profession.”

The Early Childhood Faculty Preparation Grants are a part of the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity initiative, a key strategy in A Thriving Illinois, the state’s strategic plan for higher education. Those who enroll in the programs are expected to graduate by the summer of 2024.