SPRINGFIELD –To honor the one million Irish-Americans living in Illinois, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is working to designate April 18 as the Republic of Ireland Day in Illinois.

“I am proud that my district is home to a diverse group of immigrants and the descendants of immigrants, a large group of whom are of Irish descent,” Murphy said. “It is important for us to commemorate the lasting impact Irish-Americans have made by designating this day.”

On April 18, 1949, Ireland officially declared itself independent from Great Britain. Therefore, this date is significant to many Irish-Americans, and there are many events and celebrations in its honor across the state.   

SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) reflects on the compliance of the Illinois Department of Insurance to investigate auto insurance charges during the pandemic.

“As a proud advocate for the prevention of predatory business practices, I am pleased the Illinois Department of Insurance responded to the demands of myself, my colleagues and advocacy organizations,” Collins said. “The investigation is the first step in facilitating accountability within our financial institutions.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) welcomed Governor JB Pritzker to the 7th district last week where they toured Good to Go, a restaurant in Evanston specializing in Jamaican cuisine.

“It was an honor showing Governor Pritzker one of the best restaurants in my community,” Simmons said. “We are proud to have one of the most diverse communities in Illinois and in the nation, where people from all around the world can prosper and share their rich culture through food and conversation. I am especially proud and appreciative that Governor Pritzker takes the time to visit and show genuine appreciation for all that these small businesses add to our community.”

Good to Go is owned by Tony and Lenice Levy. Lenice Levy recently received the businessperson of the year award from the Evanston Chamber of Commerce in February.

SPRINGFIELD –Affording higher education could get easier for middle class students in Illinois, thanks to a new measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“Middle class families often struggle with the cost of higher education,” Murphy said. “This measure can provide some relief to ease this financial burden that many working parents face."

Currently, there are many initiatives making higher education more affordable for children of low-income families. However, there are few programs that provide assistance to middle-class families, who also come under large financial strain when sending their children to college but are unqualified to apply for existing relief programs because of their income.

SPRINGFIELD – With the winter snow and ice melting across the central Illinois, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) is reminding people to be vigilant and make a plan in case of a flood.

“The banks of rivers and streams across the state could swell as ice and snow melts,” said Turner. “It is imperative that community members have a plan in place if a flood occurs.”

OAKBROOK TERRACE – To improve facilities and develop new exhibits, three facilities in DuPage County were awarded funding through the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grant Program with support from State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs).

“Museums offer educational and cultural opportunities for communities to celebrate a collective heritage,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By investing in programs and infrastructure, Illinois is working to support our local keepers of history.”

The Public Museum Capital Grants Program through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will distribute a total of $19.7 million in grants to 36 museums and support upgrades to facilities, new exhibits and other features.​

Grantees awarded nearly $2.2 million combined in the 24th Senate District include:

• Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Mayslake Peabody Estate – $750,000
• Elmhurst Art Museum, roofing and HVAC renewal – $750,000
• City of Elmhurst, community performance venue – $698,500

Investments for the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program are funded by Rebuild Illinois. More information about the program is available here.

GODFREY - Due to aging infrastructure deeming portions of the historic Main Complex  unsafe for operations, State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) partnered with Lewis and Clark Community College to secure a $37.5 million state grant to fund an extensive renovation project of the five-building complex that dates back to 1890.

“Lewis and Clark Community College provides quality educational opportunities to students throughout the region, and this investment is critical to ensure operations can continue safely,” Crowe said. “As a historic building from the mid-19th Century, the Main Complex is the heart of campus for students, faculty and visitors. Repairs and renovations are much needed.”

The announcement was made Monday at the Lewis and Clark Community College campus in Godfrey. Last August, LCCC officials were forced to close sections of the Main Complex due to safety concerns stemming from failing HVAC systems that created mold issues.

Dr. Ken Trzaska, president of Lewis and Clark Community College, said Lewis and Clark has made numerous updates and repairs to the Main Complex over the last three decades, but due to the age of the facility and the need to integrate modern mechanical and electrical systems, a complete renovation is the only path forward to return the historic complex to full operations.

“This project represents Lewis and Clark’s future while honoring its history,” Trzaska said. “We are thankful to the state’s investment and confidence in our region. Investing in the next generation of students through this critical project is exciting and inspiring for our community and our campus team.”

Trzaska said the college has been working over the past 10 years to secure the funding needed to bring the symbolic complex to current code and modernization.

“We are extremely grateful for the work of our local and state legislators including Senator Crowe, the Illinois Community College Board and our college’s board of trustees for helping us champion this project, ensuring that the college and its students will have a safe and modern space to learn,” he said. 

The $37.5 million grant was appropriated by the state in the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program in 2019. To accelerate the funding process, the LCCC Board of Trustees voted at a special meeting in September to commit $12.5 million in match funding.

“This project represents not only an educational impact for our region, but it also represents an incredible economic impact to the region through the jobs a project of this size will bring to the region,” Trzaska said.

Lawmakers unveil legislative efforts to overcome mental health challenges in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – In response to a deepening mental health crisis across the state, Senate Democrats hosted a press conference in Springfield on Thursday highlighting legislative efforts that would prioritize mental health support for individuals in Illinois.

“Staying mentally well should be given the same priority as keeping physically fit,” State Senator Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) said. “To achieve this, we need to enact policies to maintain good mental health on top of treating mental illness.”

Loughran Cappel spearheaded legislation – Senate Bill 3889 – in the Senate to add a council within the Children’s Mental Health Partnership in Illinois.

Read more.

Bicameral group of lawmakers speak on anti-Semitic hate literature

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the General Assembly stood together in solidarity during a press conference Wednesday to condemn the anti-Semitic literature anonymously distributed recently in the district State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) represents, and to provide members of the community actionable ways they can stand up against antisemitism and hate speech.

“This incident is disturbing and intolerable,” Senator Fine said. “As an individual, and as a Jewish woman, I am disgusted by these displays of hate. However, we will not cower from these threatening messages. Instead, I am asking my colleagues and members of my community to stand up against antisemitism to prevent situations like this, or more dangerous incidents, from ever happening again.”

Read more.

Lawmakers advocate for legislation to expedite professional licenses

SPRINGFIELD – To offer support to workers, a group of pro-business Democratic lawmakers held a press conference Wednesday to advocate for an initiative to require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to expedite complete professional license applications.

“Health care workers, accountants, speech pathologists and a variety of others are eager, qualified and ready to enter their respective industries but are waiting months for professional licenses to be issued by the state,” said State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs), chief Senate sponsor of Senate Bill 670. “Improving convenience, timeliness and accessibility for working people is a necessary step to building our economy and focusing efforts on recovery.”

Under the legislation, IDFPR is required to process applications within four weeks as long as there were no deficiencies submitted.

Read more.

Villivalam: Caregivers deserve a living wage

SPRINGFIELD – With support staff in community living facilities facing high turnover rates and low wages, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) joined advocates to support legislation to increase pay for these frontline workers.

“For too long, the funding meant for essential workers has not reached their wallets,” Villivalam said. “The staff who care for our most vulnerable neighbors deserve a living wage, and I stand with them in calling for better and fairer working conditions.”

Read more.

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