DECATUR – New construction projects will soon pop up around Decatur to better roads and bridges thanks to the State Senator Doris Turner-backed Rebuild Illinois plan.

“The region is slated for major redevelopment and revitalization,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “The Rebuild Illinois plan doesn’t just help fix our roads and bridges, it brings job growth to the community.”

­CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam was appointed to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Infrastructure Funding and Policy Tuesday.

“I am proud to sit on this commission and am eager to begin working with industry experts, colleagues in the General Assembly and the governor’s office on finding innovative ways to continue to improve our infrastructure in a safe, accessible and affordable way.” said Villivalam (D-Chicago).

EAST ST. LOUIS – Burning toxic synthetic chemicals will be banned thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt that was signed into law Wednesday.

“PFAS can harm people and the environment,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This initiative stems from concerns that our neighbors have surrounding the waste incinerator in Sauget, which puts Metro East residents at risk of exposure to these harmful substances.”

CHICAGO – Students of public universities and colleges will soon have access to an on-campus point-person to help them find and apply for assistance programs thanks to a law sponsored in the Senate by State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago).

“There are countless numbers of assistance programs offered by campuses, communities and the state for students to take advantage of,” Pacione-Zayas said. “Now, an on-campus benefits navigator can help students find and apply for programs for food or housing assistance, scholarships, and more.”

WAUKEGAN – To provide input and improve the commerce relationship of Illinois agencies with minority-owned and women-owned businesses, State Senator Adriane Johnson was appointed to serve on the State Procurement Task Force.

“In the past, equity has not been prioritized in the state procurement process,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “By assigning a task force to help strengthen the relationship of agencies with minority-owned and women-owned businesses, Illinois can work to create an inclusive commerce process throughout the state.”

MARYVILLE – A new law in Illinois will assist law enforcement with investigating violent roadway crimes by expanding expressway camera technology to Madison and St. Clair counties. The new law passed with advocacy from State Senator Rachelle Crowe.

“To improve public safety in the Metro East, this law gives new tools to law enforcement to investigate reported roadway crimes such as gun violence or carjackings,” said Crowe (D-Glen Carbon). “Illinois is also offering additional protections to motorists with the expressway camera expansion.”

CHICAGO – A law to help identify families in need of additional financial assistance for college savings accounts was signed Tuesday, thanks to the hard work of State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas.

“A big part of helping families afford college is making sure they know what financial assistance resources are available,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “This law will not only allow for additional deposits in a Children’s Savings Account for students from financially unstable households, it will also help us understand who is taking advantage of the program and allow us to target outreach to families who might not be aware of it.”

CHICAGO — A new state-of-the-art health wellness center is coming to the West Side of Chicago thanks to the Illinois Senate Democrat-backed Rebuild Illinois plan.

“Health equity is — and always has been — one of my top priorities,” said State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago). “Access to quality health care should be a right — not a privilege. By bringing this facility to the West Side, we are signaling to local residents we notice the inequity and inequality and our system and we are committed to doing something about it.”