SPRINGFIELD – Service members and their spouses are receiving their professional licenses at a faster rate, thanks to a law championed by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).

The new law makes transitions easier for people whose jobs depend on having a professional license and whose living arrangements are often changed by a deployment or cross-country transfer. An airman's spouse who works as an optometrist, for instance, would have an easier time receiving their license to practice in Illinois after transferring to Scott Airforce Base under the plan.

CHAMPAIGN – To highlight older adults who have contributed to their communities through service, education, the workforce or the arts, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is asking residents to submit their nominations to the Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame.

“The members of the Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame stand as an example to each of us,” Bennett said. “Let’s take this opportunity to acknowledge an older family member, friend or neighbor who goes out of their way to make our neighborhoods a better place by nominating them to the hall of fame.”

The Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame celebrates outstanding accomplishments in community service, education, the labor force and the arts. Each year, four candidates — one from each category — are inducted.

Eligibility is based on an individual’s past and present accomplishments, and the candidate must be a current Illinois citizen or a former citizen for most of their life. Posthumous nominees are also considered.

Nominations for 2022 inductees must be submitted by June 1. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit www2.illinois.gov/aging/HallofFame.

AURORA –Aurora will receive $1.2 million in funds to boost the local business community, thanks to Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will provide grants to enhance and revitalize local businesses, made possible by Illinois’ historic Rebuild Illinois Capital Program, legislation supported by Holmes in 2019.

SPRINGFIELD – Spouses of people in Medicaid-funded long-term care facilities could soon be able to keep more of their own personal savings thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest).

“Far too often, spouses of older adults in long-term care facilities are forced to pay high out-of-pocket rates for their own medical needs to ensure their loved one can keep their care,” Morrison said. “By aligning Illinois’ allowance for community spouses with the rest of the country, we are signaling to older adults that we care for them and wish to give them the ability to care for themselves and their spouse with no added stress.”

PEORIA – The City of Peoria is set to receive $1.2 million in grants to revitalize a commercial corridor on Western Avenue and boost economic development in the community, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced.

“Many of our small businesses are still struggling to get back on their feet after the challenges of the last two years,” Koehler said. “By bringing investment and improvement to our commercial corridors, we are laying a foundation for our businesses as they first recover and then continue to grow.”

The funding comes through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Rebuild Distressed Communities program. The program is designed to help impacted small businesses repair damages and rebuild or expand, and to deliver long-term improvements along commercial corridors where businesses experienced damages during civil unrest.

These corridor improvements will repair and refresh the surrounding area while increasing economic opportunities for impacted businesses. The projects were evaluated based on project need, capacity, quality, and societal impact.

“When our local businesses thrive, our community thrives,” Koehler said. “This funding will help bring energy and life back to the parts of our city that are hurting most.”

The final round of Rebuild Distressed Communities program provides $976,000 to 26 small businesses and $7.45 million to help revitalize seven commercial corridors located across the state. A full list of grantees is available online.

More information on assistance available for small businesses and ongoing capital programs can be found on DCEO’s website.

CHICAGO— The Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce is set to receive $1,450,000 in grants to revitalize the local business community, thanks to State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago).

The Chamber of Commerce will receive funding from the Illinois Department of Economic Development to enhance and provide additional services to local businesses through its Rebuild Distressed Communities program. The grant is made possible by the state’s historic Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan.

ELGIN – To highlight older Illinoisans who excel in community service, education, the arts and the labor force, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is reminding residents to nominate an adult age 65 and over to the Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame.

“We all have an older person in our life that has made an impact on us, whether it be a teacher, neighbor or family member,” Castro said. “Nominating them for this award is a great way to show your appreciation and spotlight all the ways older residents enrich our lives.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is excited to announce that West Humboldt Park Development Council will receive $300,000 for corridor enhancements.

“Like any other neighborhood, the West Side community has been through a lot in the past few years, however, West Humboldt Park was already at a systemic disadvantage before the pandemic,” Van Pelt said. “This grant will help the developmental council to rebuild the community’s corridors, as well as its sentiment.”

West Humboldt Park will receive funding from the Illinois Department of Economic Development to enhance and provide additional services to local businesses through the Rebuild Distressed Communities program, made possible by the state’s historic Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan.

Projects for corridor improvements will repair and improve the surrounding area while increasing economic opportunities for impacted businesses. The projects were evaluated based on project need, capacity, quality and societal impact.

The final round of Rebuild Distressed Communities program provides $976,000 to 26 small businesses and $7.45 million to help revitalize seven commercial corridors located across the state.

“I am excited that this grant will help to revitalize the community after years of disinvestment and reeling effects from the pandemic and civil unrest, “ Van Pelt said. “Not only will the community receive major enhancements, but new economic opportunities as well.”

For more information on assistance available for small businesses, or to learn more about ongoing capital programs, people can visit DCEO’s website.