EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt joined Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to announce a $9.9 million investment to improve the sewer collection system in Cahokia Heights.

“Families who call Cahokia Heights home have dealt with persistent sewage and flooding issues in their homes, neighborhoods and community for decades,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “With this investment, I appreciate Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for acknowledging the importance and urgency of updating the sewage infrastructure and helping us address flooding concerns.”

Made possible through the Rebuild Illinois grant program, the $9.9 million is slated to be used to rehabilitate and replace approximately 35 lift stations, 5,800 feet of cured-in-place pipe liner and 3,500 feet of slip lining in the main trunk line.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is celebrating $1.5 billion in economic development and 700 jobs coming to central Illinois as the Illinois EPA gives the green light to build a new natural gas-fueled power plant in Pawnee.

“The Lincoln Land Energy Center will create good paying jobs right in our backyard,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “When we look at the realm of companies we hope move to central Illinois, those that will positively contribute to our society are at the top of the list – and that’s an attribute of EmberClear’s Lincoln Land Energy Center.”

EAST ST. LOUIS – In response to record rainfall resulting in numerous families being displaced in East St. Louis, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea), State Rep. Latoya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) and State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) are working with local, state and federal leaders to address public safety concerns and released the following statements:

“Flood waters pose a significant threat to a community’s health, safety and property,” said Rep. Hoffman. “Families in East St. Louis are at the forefront of our recovery efforts following last week’s historic rainfall.”

Grant applications available to boost Illinois' tourism industry

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $15 million in funding to support the tourism sector across the state, and members of the Senate Democratic Caucus are urging local business owners, museums, festival operators and more to apply.

“Illinois tourism attractions, festivals and live venues bring scores of visitors to communities all around our state,” said State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee. “These grants will go a long way to rebuild the diverse attractions that makes Illinois the middle of everything.”

Read more.

Expressway shootings down thanks to legislation championed by Illinois Senate Democrats

CHICAGO – Following the passage of a number of measures championed by members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus to crack down on rising crime on busy roads, the Illinois State Police announced the total number of Chicago expressway shootings is down 36% from this time last year.

“Commuters deserve to know they are safe when they use any of Illinois’ 15,969 miles of highways,” said State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “Allowing law enforcement to coordinate and address these crimes is the first step to protecting drivers.”

Read more.

Holmes: IEPA allocates $4 million to Aurora to replace lead service lines

AURORA – The City of Aurora will soon receive $4 million in funding to replace lead water service lines in parts of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties, according to State Senator Linda Holmes. As part of the Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund, the grant will support projects to improve drinking water, wastewater and storm water systems through a low-interest loan. The city will get 100% principal forgiveness for this loan.

“This is great news for our community and state, where we some of the most lead service lines in the nation,” said Holmes (D-Aurora) . “Our families have been quite concerned about this threat and insistent that we find ways to eliminate the risk and provide safe, clean drinking water, and I’m pleased we will have these resources.”

Read more.

Sound of the State: Illinois Library Accessibility

State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and David Albert, Ph.D., Director of the Division of Mental Health at the Illinois Department of Human Services, discuss the new 9-8-8 crisis hotline, in this episode of the Sound of the State.

Listen here.

We are hiring!

The Office of the Illinois Senate President is hiring a number of positions, including Communications Specialists, District Outreach Specialists, Legislative Assistants and more. Learn about these positions and how to apply by clicking here.

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CHICAGO – In an effort to provide additional support to the tourism sector across Illinois, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $15 million in funding through the second round of the Tourism Attraction and Festivals Grant program with support and input by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz.

“Illinois tourism attractions, festivals and live venues bring scores of visitors to communities all around our state,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Tourism and Hospitality committee. “These grants will go a long way to rebuild the diverse attractions that makes Illinois the middle of everything.”

DCEO announced $5 million of the funding will be reserved for festivals, which serve as economic drivers while bringing communities together, and $10 million will support a broad range of other tourism-related project such as attractions, museums, live performance venues and more. This grant is funded using American Rescue Plan Act dollars.

“As chair of the Tourism and Hospitality Committee I am happy the state can provide more financial assistance to local communities and their venues across Illinois to showcase their local attractions and festivals,” said Feigenholtz. “I encourage everyone to venture out in both summer and fall to experience something right in the middle of everything.”

Applications will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 23. To apply, visit illinois.gov/dceo.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $15 million in funding to support the tourism sector across the state, and members of the Senate Democratic Caucus are urging local business owners, museums, festival operators and more to apply.

“Illinois tourism attractions, festivals and live venues bring scores of visitors to communities all around our state,” said State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee. “These grants will go a long way to rebuild the diverse attractions that makes Illinois the middle of everything.”

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, applications for the grant program are being accepted through Sept. 23, 2022 to support operations for festivals, attractions, museums, live performance venues and more for a total of $15 million in state grants.

AURORA – The City of Aurora will soon receive $4 million in funding to replace lead water service lines in parts of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties, according to State Sen. Linda Holmes. As part of the Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund, the grant will support projects to improve drinking water, wastewater and storm water systems through a low-interest loan. The City will get 100% principal forgiveness for this loan.

“This is great news for our community and state, where we some of the most lead service lines in the nation,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “Our families have been quite concerned about this threat and insistent that we find ways to eliminate the risk and provide safe, clean drinking water, and I’m pleased we will have these resources.”

CHICAGO – Following the passage of a number of measures championed by members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus to crack down on rising crime on busy roads, the Illinois State Police announced the total number of Chicago expressway shootings is down 36% from this time last year.

“Commuters deserve to know they are safe when they use any of Illinois’ 15,969 miles of highways,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “Allowing law enforcement to coordinate and address these crimes is the first step to protecting drivers.”

In the first six months of 2021 alone, there were 132 expressway shootings in the Chicago area. A need to keep Illinois drivers safe became more apparent with this rising number of crimes, leading to the proposal of legislation to expand the use of expressway cameras, give law enforcement more tools and technology to solve crime, and expand collaboration among law enforcement agencies.

The 36% reduction in shootings and 90% reduction in expressway homicides comes as the General Assembly passed a law to expand the Expressway Camera Act and provide law enforcement with additional crime-solving tools.