TAYLORVILLE— Area residents, local organizations and state agencies joined State Senator Doris Turner and the Senior Citizens of Christian County for a senior fair event at the center on Tuesday.

The event provided area seniors the opportunity to connect with local organizations, government agencies, and health care facilities and providers to stay-up-to date with available resources and services. Seniors were also offered the chance to receive flu shots and partake in bone density tests.

“Our community senior fairs help connect area residents with state agencies, health care providers and local organizations to learn more about vital resources and take advantage of screenings and flu shots,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We are thankful for the opportunity to work with the Senior Citizens of Christian County to host this informative event and provide area seniors with helpful services.”

WAUKEGAN – To offer residents the opportunity to voice their opinions and work with her office to find solutions, State Senator Adriane Johnson is hosting a listening session at B.A.M. 4 the Mind in Waukegan.

“With the upcoming legislative session in November, it’s important for me to hear from our neighbors to know how I can best represent their interests in Springfield,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “I’m calling on the members of our diverse community to join my office at this listening session to bring their concerns directly to us.”

The event will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27 at B.A.M. 4 the Mind, located at 801 S. McAlister Ave. in Waukegan.

Questions should be directed to Sen. Johnson’s office by calling 847-672-6201.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett is reminding Illinois residents that October is College Changes Everything Month in Illinois. This month, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission teams up with high schools and community partners to support students in their college admission processes.

“The transition from high school to college can be confusing to students, which often times turns away interest in pursuing higher education,” said Bennett (D-Champaign). “College Changes Everything Month is a great time to take advantage of the resources available to high school seniors.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced a new $6 million capital grant program designed to strengthen the meat and poultry supply chain by helping independently owned meat processing companies in Illinois to improve the meat processing supply chain in Illinois.

“This grant shows the state’s continuous commitment in investing into our communities and businesses to help them grow,” said State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex). “The food supply chain has experienced high demand in recent years, which has caused issues for both consumers and producers. This program will help alleviate shortages and create new jobs across our communities.”

Eligible companies can apply for grants from $250,000 to $1.5 million, with a company match of at least four times the amount awarded. Companies can receive funding for the construction of a new facility, the expansion or renovation of existing facilities, or modernization of processing and manufacturing equipment.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS– Last Friday, State Senator Patrick Joyce joined local community leaders to launch the Southland Reactivation Act. The purpose of the Southland Reactivation Act is to attract development, create jobs and lower property taxes in the south suburbs.

“This bill is a big win for the Southland community. It will break the cycle of disinvestment that has been happening for too long in this area,” said Joyce. “This economic development tool has the potential—at no cost to the State— to address blight, expand the tax base, create local jobs in the south suburbs and assist in reducing property taxes for homeowners.”

CHICAGO – Illinois Senate Democrats celebrated the Illinois Department of Unemployment Security’s announcement of a $450 million payment towards the remaining $1.8 billion borrowed from the state’s unemployment trust fund.

“Paying down this debt continues to strengthen our fiscal security, adding to the benefits the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund is seeing from historic low unemployment,” said State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora). “The fund now has a $1.2 billion surplus due to fewer claims, making it very practical to pay back the borrowed funds. It’s another great step in our state’s record of continuous financial improvements of the past few years.”

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman and State Representative Janet Yang Rohr extend their congratulations to three local schools selected by the U.S. Department of Education to be 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

“Anyone who is fortunate enough to live and raise kids in our community already knows how great our local schools are,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “High-quality public education is vital when it comes to shaping future generations, and these exceptional schools could not be more deserving of recognition.”

The U.S. Department of Education named 297 schools nationwide to its 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools list, 17 of which were located in Illinois, and three in the district Ellman represents. Award recipients Elmwood Elementary School, Highlands Elementary School, and Steeple Run Elementary School are all part of Naperville Community Unit School District 203.

The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement. Selected schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation.

“When it comes to investing in our community and getting on the best path for success, few things are as important as well-equipped schools and dedicated teachers and faculty,” said Yang Rohr (D-Naperville). “I’d like to thank all of our phenomenal educators and extend sincere congratulations on this well-deserved honor.”

More information about the National Blue Ribbon School award and a full list of recipients is available at NationalBlueRibbonSchools.ed.gov.

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CHICAGO – Today Senate Democrats spoke out in support of the final design of the new headquarters for the University of Illinois Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago and apprenticeship partnership programs planned for the institute.

Within the next five years, the Chicago/Skills apprenticeship program will provide as many as 2,500 individuals with tuition free technology training along with paid apprenticeship opportunities, focusing on diverse apprentices. CVS has committed to hiring 200 successful participants of the program every year for the next three years.

“The Chicago/Skills apprenticeship program is a much-needed investment for our communities,” said Senator Tony Munoz (D-Chicago). “Oftentimes people don’t have the means to gain the skills needed to find a job in the labor force. This apprenticeship program will give more people the training they need to be successful.”