ELGIN – Thanks to support from State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), Elgin Community College will receive a grant for a Certified Recovery Support Specialist Success program to prepare students for work as behavioral and mental health professionals.

“Our mental health and substance use recovery specialists are the backbone of our behavioral health care system,” Castro said. “Making sure our workers can get the education they need to give the best help possible to vulnerable individuals is critical.”

The Illinois Department of Human Services awarded $4 million in grants to 11 colleges and universities throughout the state, including Elgin Community College, to support the CRSS Success program. Through the program, students will be prepared to work in various capacities, including inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use treatment services, mobile crisis teams and more.

CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham announced more than $1.8 million awarded to local businesses from the Back to Business program.

“I am committed to helping our small businesses recover from COVID-19,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This support for small business is good for our economy.”

The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

WEST CHICAGO – More than $3 million in Back to Business grants will be awarded to small businesses across the 25^th District, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) announced.

“Local businesses bring so much life to our community,” Villa said. “Especially through the challenges of the last two years, the services they provide have been absolutely vital and, now more than ever, they need our support.”

Sixty-three local businesses will be receiving a total of $3,125,000 in COVID-19 relief funds in the latest round of B2B grants through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

MAYWOOD – As a result of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus four-pillar agenda, specifically the Education and Workforce Equity Act, State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) announced a $17 million grant to create the first-ever state-funded Freedom Schools network. 

“Freedom Schools have a proud history and major significance for African Americans,” Lightford said. “These schools represent a long tradition of engaged citizenship, personal empowerment and academic excellence. I know this experience will have a positive impact on students, their families, and the whole community.”

Because of the monumental education package to rid Illinois of systemic racism, the Phillip Jackson Freedom School Grant was created to ensure Black students receive quality education across the state. 

Senate Democrats build fiscal strength through stability

SPRINGFIELD – Building on a new era of fiscal responsibility, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus advanced legislation last week to make major investments for workers, businesses and local economies with funding available through the American Rescue Plan.

“We are continuing our responsible use of federal dollars by providing $2.7 billion in tax relief to businesses and benefit protections for workers,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “At the same time, our investments in college savings, health insurance and the retirement security of teachers, prison guards, state troopers and university workers will again demonstrate strength through stability for the hard working people of our great state.”

Read more.

Senate Democrats fight to end the fentanyl overdose crisis

SPRINGFIELD – Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine – and an increase of overdoses of the drug is plaguing every corner of our state. Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus outlined their plan to combat the overdose crisis during a press conference last week.

The increase in the number of fatalities is attributed to the rise of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. Since 2013, synthetic opioid deaths in Illinois have increased 2,736% — and many of those who have overdosed did not know they were taking opioids or that their drugs were laced with fentanyl.

Read more.

Legislators celebrate the anniversary of consumer protections against predatory lending

SPRINGFIELD – On the anniversary of the Predatory Loan Prevention Act being signed into law, State Senators Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) and Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) reflected on the importance of dismantling systemic barriers to equitable lending practices especially for communities of color at a press conference last week.

“I am incredibly pleased to have seen a year go by since the signing of my legislation capping interest rates on all consumer loans at 36%,” Collins said. “Abusive financial practices target communities of color and entrench racial poverty, which makes interest rate caps so critical for the benefit and restoration of our vulnerable populations.”

Read more.

Villanueva to push prenatal vitamin coverage across the finish line

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a measure expanding women’s access to healthy pregnancies by requiring insurance companies to cover prenatal vitamins.

“Having access to prenatal vitamins is equally as important as having access to breast feeding supplies,” said Villanueva. “These measures both prioritize the health and safety of mothers and their babies by reducing the economic barriers preventing them from doing what’s best for their well-being.”

Read more.

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DANVILLE – To inform and educate local residents on the latest frauds and scams, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is hosting a fraud prevention seminar with Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office.

The free informational seminar will be held on Wednesday, April 20 at 3 p.m. at the Danville Public Library located at 319 N. Vermilion St. in Danville.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced a measure in the Illinois Senate that makes it easier for callers to reach 9-1-1 from hotels and businesses during an emergency on Thursday.

“This initiative will help ensure a quick response during times of an emergency,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “We are removing barriers that hinder people from calling 9-1-1 and making it easier for first responders to locate the caller.”

Under current law, multi-line telephone systems require dialing "9" or another number to reach an outside line. Places like businesses, hotels and government buildings use these systems to handle two or more calls coming in at the same time. Under the new law, MLTS vendors and manufacturers must configure new systems to support direct dialing 9-1-1.

Women’s History Month is a time to highlight the important women in our lives. Honoring the women who came before us and providing a support system for the future generation of women leaders is what it’s all about. This year, we asked women members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus what they do to lift up the women in their lives.