LAKE COUNTY, Ill.  – State Senators Adriane Johnson, Julie Morrison and Melinda Bush are thrilled to announce the North Shore Water Reclamation District is set to receive more than $5 million in water infrastructure funding.

“With this investment, the North Shore Water Reclamation District can take significant strides to update infrastructure, protect the environment and improve water quality for our residents,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “I’m pleased to see this program benefit our community’s safety.” 

MARYVILLE – State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe announced the village of Maryville is set to receive more than $820,000 in water infrastructure funding.

“Repairing and upgrading our aging infrastructure is part of our ongoing efforts to protect public health and the environment,” said Crowe (D-Glen Carbon). “These funds will give the village of Maryville an opportunity to improve wastewater treatment in our community.” 

Maryville officials received more than $820,000 to install sewer mains and manholes with plans to abandon an existing pump station. The funding will allow the village to make necessary updates to their collection system in order to continue providing proper wastewater treatment for residents.

The funds come from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s State Revolving Fund Program, which includes the Water Pollution Control Loan Program and the Public Water Supply Loan Program. The programs provide low-interest loans to fund wastewater, stormwater and drinking water projects through Rebuild Illinois.

Find more information about Illinois EPA’s SRF program here. 

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter is excited to welcome the St. Laurence Arts Incubator project in Grand Crossing, a $1.7 million initiative to open doors for Chicago’s artists of color.

The St. Laurence Arts Incubator is the newest and largest project to date from the Rebuild Foundation, which has worked to preserve cultural sites like the Stony Island Arts Bank, the Retreat at Currency Exchange Café, Kenwood Gardens, and the Dorchester Art + Housing Collaborative. 

“The work that artists do is impactful, and I am glad the city has invested in this new opportunity to support them,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “In particular, this incubator uplifts Black and Brown artists and entrepreneurs, and will be located right here in the Southside.”

CHAMPAIGN – On Wednesday, May 4, Illinois will be celebrating Firefighters’ Day in Illinois thanks to a resolution supported by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign).

“Firefighters risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe,” Bennett said. “Although firefighters deserve our community’s respect throughout the year, designating a day statewide is important to recognize their efforts and contributions to protecting our communities.”

Firefighters’ Day honors the fearless men and women who not only run toward burning buildings and risk their own lives to save others but are often the first response when medical attention is required in homes and businesses.

CHICAGO – A number of members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus spoke out Tuesday to condemn the leaked Supreme Court opinion draft overturning Roe v. Wade, which would put the legality of abortion in the hands of individual states.

“As long as there is a Democratic majority in the State Senate, a woman’s right to choose will be protected in Illinois,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Chicago). “We will stand as a bulwark against any efforts to turn back the clock to darker days. “

Monday night, a draft Supreme Court opinion was leaked, which showed the nation’s top court plan to overturn Roe v. Wade. Tuesday morning, Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the leaked draft, but said it was not the final opinion. Should the case be overturned, abortion policy would be left up to individual states.

AURORA – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) released the following statement after learning of the leaked Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade:

"It’s a sad day when we find the progress we’ve fought so hard to make for women could now be reversed. What more fundamental right could exist in a democracy than the right to make our own decisions about our bodies without interference from the government?

"Generations of women -- and their daughters and granddaughters -- fought for these rights through most of the 20th century. Their work brought us to a safer standard for reproductive health care for all women. Taking away this hard-earned right will cost lives. Lower income women will feel they have no other option but to resort to dangerous and deadly procedures that killed thousands of women before Roe v. Wade was established.

"As a woman leader in the Illinois State Senate, I will continue to work to ensure the rights of Illinois women are defended. I am proud to live in a state that has taken many actions to ensure women's rights will be protected here."

CHICAGO – After a draft Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“I am dumbfounded by the reports that the Supreme Court is expected to overturn Roe v. Wade. This ruling would not only take away women’s rights to their bodily autonomy, but it would also declare a war against working-class women.

“Abortions will continue to happen, they just will not be safe or legal in certain states. Thankfully, abortion rights are protected in Illinois, but the lives of many women will be put at risk elsewhere.

Bush reacts to leak of SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade

GRAYSLAKE — A steadfast advocate of a woman’s right to choose, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) issued the following statement after a draft Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked:

“No person should be able to dictate or take away a woman’s right to choose. The move by the country’s top court is devastating, disheartening and downright appalling.

“History shows us that today’s move won’t ban abortion — it will ban safe abortion, putting women at greater health risks. When will enough be enough? When will we treat reproductive health care the same as all other forms of health care?