CHICAGO – New laws sponsored by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) will help raise awareness in schools for students who are at higher risk of suicide or dealing with other mental health challenges as soon as next year.

“Mental health challenges have risen dramatically.  We need to ensure that our teachers and administrators have every tool they need to identify students who are suffering and ensure those students get the resources they need,” Martwick said.

Under new law, public school students will be able to take excused absence days to prioritize their mental or behavioral health and make up missed work. 

CHICAGO – Concerned about the lack of resources for youth residential mental health services, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) led a joint hearing Wednesday with the Senator Behavioral and Mental Health Committee and the House Mental Health and Addiction Committee.

“The resources available for residential and inpatient mental health services for children across Illinois are severely lacking,” Senator Fine said. “This has been a crisis for a long time, but the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have put it in the spotlight.”

ROCKFORD – Starting Jan. 1, Illinois and American flags purchased to fly at state agencies and institutions must be manufactured in the United States, thanks to a law spearheaded by State Senator Steve Stadelmen (D-Rockford). 

“We should be supporting local manufacturing companies that work hard and deserve our business,” Stadelman said. “We have no reason to be buying flags of our own state that are made in other countries.”

The new law will change the Flag Display Act to no longer allow state institutions and agencies to purchase American and Illinois flags from manufacturers outside of the U.S.

WHEELING – Chicago Executive Airport – which sees 80,000 corporate, charter and light recreational aircraft each year – will receive more than $1 million in funding to make upgrades, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) announced Thursday.

“Chicago Executive Airport gives corporate travelers and recreational flyers a unique experience to fly into the less crowded suburbs and head into the city,” Morrison said. “The upgrades made will allow even more people to take advantage of the state of the art facility.” 

Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling will receive nearly $1.1 million to work on some of its roads and parking. The money granted is part of a $94 million funding project to revitalize both large and small airports across the country.

Morrison was proud to support the Rebuild Illinois capital program in 2019, which created a six-year plan to update the state’s aging transportation system, create jobs and promote economic growth. The money allocated to Chicago Executive Airport came from the bipartisan, multi-regional plan.

A full list of recipients can be viewed by visiting https://idot.click/rbi-airport-program-awards.

AURORA – The Aurora Municipal Airport in the 42^nd District, represented by State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), will receive much-needed upgrades thanks to nearly $1.6 million in state funding.

“As Aurora continues to grow, our transportation hubs must be up to par to serve our economy,” Holmes said. “The airport provides good-paying jobs to area residents, and lets local businesses and industries move their people and products in a safe and efficient manner.”

The funding is provided through the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, and designates a total of $94 million for 96 airport projects in urban and rural communities across the state. Projects will include planning, construction, reconstruction, development and improvement of public airports to increase safety and efficiency. Communities also will benefit from increased aviation access, good-paying jobs during construction and long-term opportunities for workforce expansion.

Aurora Municipal Airport will receive $1.3 million to rehabilitate parking lots and the entrance road, and $279,000 to overlay perimeter roadways.

“I’m excited to see how these improvements will help Aurora’s future economy and job market by attracting more business,” Holmes said. “These grants allow smaller airports in our state to make much-needed repairs and modernize their facilities.”

A full list of recipients as well as designated projects can be found on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website.

EAST ST. LOUIS – Low-income families can now apply for help with their bills to avoid water and sewer shut off, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) announced Wednesday.

“Many families are forced to spend a large percent of their monthly income on utility services,” Belt said. “This funding provides stability for low-income customers who need assistance paying their monthly utility bills.”

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program provides $42 million to help people avoid shut offs, assist households that have already had their services shut off or provide assistance to residents unable to pay their water and sewer bills.

PEORIA – Four local airports across the district State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) represents will receive much-needed upgrades thanks to over $3.5 million in state funding.

“Local airports in Central Illinois are vital to our economy,” Koehler said. “They offer the ability to move people and products in a safe and efficient manner and provide good-paying jobs to many members of our community.”

The funding is provided through the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, and designates a total of $94 million for 96 airport projects in both urban and rural communities across the state. Projects will include planning, construction, reconstruction, development and improvement of public airports to increase safety and efficiency. Communities also will benefit from increased aviation access, good-paying jobs during construction and long-term opportunities for workforce expansion.

Local airports will receive the following amounts of state funding:

• General Wayne A. Downing ‐ Peoria International Airport, $900,000
• Ingersoll Airport, $360,000
• Mount Hawley Auxiliary Airport, $634,500
• Pekin Municipal Airport, $1,665,000

“The grants allow smaller airports in our state to make much-needed repairs, modernize their facilities and attract more passengers,” Koehler said. “I look forward to seeing how these upgrades will help revitalize our community.

A full list of recipients as well as designated projects can be found on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website.

SCHAUMBURG – More than $175,000 in upgrades will be made at Schaumburg Regional Airport thanks to Senator Laura Murphy’s support of the Rebuild Illinois capital grant program.

“As people begin to regularly travel again, it is important our local airports are prepared for the uptick in flights,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “The Schaumburg Airport is a staple of our community – providing dozens of jobs and an efficient way to support residents and the business community.” 

Approximately $105,000 will be used for fuel system installation at Schaumburg Airport and $70,000 for security gate modifications. The money granted is part of a $94 million funding project to revitalize both large and small airports across the country.

Senator Murphy was proud to support the Rebuild Illinois capital program in 2019, which created a six-year plan to update the state’s aging transportation system, create jobs and promote economic growth. The money allocated to Schaumburg Regional Airport came from the bipartisan, multi-regional plan.

“Investments made to our airports are investments made to our communities,” Murphy said. “The grants allow smaller airports in our state to make much-needed repairs, modernize their facilities and better meet the community needs.”

The Illinois aviation system is one of the largest in the nation, made up of more than 850 individual landing facilities. Illinois is home to everything from O’Hare International Airport to municipal airports and private grass strips, contributing more than $95 billion annually to the state’s economy.

A full list of recipients can be viewed by visiting https://idot.click/rbi-airport-program-awards.