International Snowmobile Safety Week is Jan. 15-23

HERSCHER – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) echoes calls from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to remind snowmobilers to stay safe this winter.

“Enjoy the trails when the snow finally falls, but make sure to stay safe when riding your snowmobile,” Joyce said. “Stay safe on your snowmobile this winter and remember that you have a family back home. Accidents are preventable if we all follow the rules.”

Here are some basic safety tips for snowmobilers of all experience:

• Know your equipment, and double check that all of your equipment is in working order.
• Drowning is one cause of snowmobile fatalities; avoid thin ice.
• Know the weather forecast.
• Travel at a reasonable rate of speed for visibility and conditions.
• Always use the buddy system and never ride alone or unaccompanied.

“In most instances, knowing the trail and traveling at a reasonable rate of speed for trail conditions can prevent accidents,” Jeff Hopkins, IDNR Safety Education Administrator. “Staying alert and sober is a must. Unfortunately, far too many accidents involve impaired operators, resulting in injuries and fatalities.”

Snowmobile safety information is available on the IDNR website.

GLENVIEW – Libraries in Evanston, Glenview and Northbrook will be given nearly $100,000 in grants thanks to Secretary of State Jesse White, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced Tuesday.

“Libraries are a vital resource for continued education, growth, community and outreach,” Senator Fine said. “This grant ensures their resources are available to all community members, especially people who are concerned about their safety in these unprecedented times.

The initiative is aimed to respond directly to difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant provides funding for libraries to modify services, transform spaces and develop resources for their local recovering workforce and to ensure all operations can be provided safely and effectively as the pandemic continues.

WAUKEGAN – To create and support construction pre-apprenticeship programs, YouthBuild Lake County in North Chicago will receive $250,000 in funds from the state, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) announced Tuesday.

“While there are financial benefits and high economic demands to work in construction, women and people of color are often underrepresented in the industry,” Johnson said. “This state funding creates new opportunities for residents in communities of color who want to pursue a job in construction or a career in other trades.”

YouthBuild Lake County was among 23 organizations statewide to receive funding for pre-apprenticeship training programs to increase diversity in the construction industry. A total of $9.6 million was awarded across Illinois.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS – Bethel Family Resource Center is set to receive $400,000 in funding for pre-apprenticeship programs in the trades, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced Friday.

“Pre-apprenticeship programs play a vital role in our skilled labor force,” Joyce said. “This funding will provide opportunities for individuals looking to start a career in the trades.” 

A total of $9.6 million awarded to 23 organizations will help support pre-apprenticeship training programs across the state. This funding will increase the talent pool of candidates from all backgrounds.

Chicago — The Tools Up Foundation of Chicago received an Illinois Works Grant to support their pre-apprenticeship program to increase diversity in the construction trades, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) announced Friday.

“For too long, many communities have not been adequately represented in the construction industry,” Peters said. “There is so much talent in our community that has been unable to enter into these fields, and I’m glad to see that there is a program available to help give them the support and the mentorship they need.”

The Tools Up Foundation is a nonprofit pre-apprenticeship program, preparing underrepresented groups to enter the construction trades. The Tools Up Foundation received a grant of $326,597 to support their work in building the next generation of diverse talent in the construction industry.

EAST ST. LOUIS – To support construction pre-apprenticeship programs, Southwestern Illinois College will receive nearly $250,000, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) announced Friday.

“Women and people of color are often underrepresented in the construction industry,” Belt said. “This funding opens the door for many people in the Metro East who want to pursue a job in construction and creates a new light for these individuals to have a career in other trade jobs.”

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced that the state’s request for medical staffing assistance for Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside has finally been granted.

“The omicron variant has caused one of the highest surge in cases since the pandemic started, and it is happening at a time where many hospitals are short-staffed,” Stadelman said. “I am happy the state’s request for medical assistance was granted, as Javon Bea needs more help than ever before.”

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) filed Senate Bill 3197 today to protect the families of Illinois social workers killed in the line of duty.

“When tragedies like this happen, we must ensure the families of those who serve our most vulnerable populations are cared for,” said Turner. “Deidra died as a dedicated public servant for our community, so this is the least we can do to honor her commitment to our state.”

Under the Public Safety and Police Benefits Act, if a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty, his or her spouse and children under the ages of 18 are eligible to receive health insurance benefits.

Senate Bill 3197 will extend the Public Safety and Police Benefits Act to include DCFS workers, providing benefits to the survivors of social workers killed in the line of duty.

The legislation will be retroactive for one year to ensure the family of the late Deidra Silas receives benefits from the state.