CHAMPAIGN – Students will be protected from grooming and other sexual misconduct under a new law signed today, the result of legislation by Senate Higher Education Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign).

“Children should be able to turn to their teachers when there’s a problem and trust that their teacher is acting in their best interests,” said Bennett. “This legislation is a tremendous step forward in ensuring educators are equipped to protect our children from abuse.” 

DANVILLE – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced a combined $945,000 investment in state funding to help maintain and upgrade the Vermilion Regional Airport and Rantoul National Aviation Center on Friday.

“Our airports play a vital role in building for our future and strengthening our regional economy,” Bennett said. “These funds will allow the smaller airports in our community to make much-needed repairs, modernize their facilities and attract more passengers.”

Projects will include planning, construction, reconstruction, development and improvement of the airport 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.

Among the projects to receive funding, the Vermilion Regional Airport is set to receive $315,000 to reconstruct the airport entrance road and $450,000 to upgrade the airport perimeter fence. The Rantoul National Aviation Center is set to receive $180,000 to acquire airport snow removal equipment.

“I’m pleased that the state is investing in our local airports,” Bennett said. “Having reliable and safe air service is crucial for tourism, commerce and economic development in our region.” 

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

An Elmwood Park rail crossing that was the site of the horrific, day-before-Thanksgiving 2005 Metra crash will get $3.1 million to continue planning its eventual replacement, state officials announced.

More than a dozen people were injured in that 2005 collision when a Metra train travelling nearly 70 mph plowed into vehicles on the tracks at West Grand Avenue sending them careening into surrounding traffic.

“To this day I remain amazed and thankful that no one was killed in that horrific 2005 crash,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, who represents the area. “This investment is a long time coming and vital to the safety of the thousands of people who make this crossing daily by car and train. This investment will make our community safer.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) announced a $1.4 million state investment to help maintain and upgrade the Taylorville Municipal Airport on Wednesday.

“The Taylorville Municipal Airport provides good-paying jobs and economic stability to our community,” said Turner. “The new funding will allow for improvements to runway rehabilitation, which is critical in ensuring the safety of our commuters.”

The 96 projects selected for funding will help meet the needs of airports large and small in both urban and rural communities. 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.

Among the projects to receive funding, the Taylorville Municipal Airport is set to receive $1.4 million for construction to the airport’s runway.

“The Illinois aviation system is one of the largest in the nation,” said Turner. “These funds will help maintain and develop the area to help workers thrive after such a tough year.”

A full list of recipients can be viewed on the Department of Transportation’s website.

EAST ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Downtown Airport will receive $5 million in funding to benefit aircraft maintenance providers and support more than 450 high-tech aerospace manufacturing jobs at the airport, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) announced Thursday.

“St. Louis Downtown Airport is a vital economic engine in the Metro East,” Belt said. “I will continue working with Representative Latoya Greenwood to bring our tax money home from Springfield in order to maintain and create jobs in our area.” 

St. Louis Downtown Airport is the third busiest airport in the State of Illinois and was recognized by the Illinois Department Division of Aeronautics as the 2021 Reliever Airport of the Year. 

The funding will provide a Ground Engine Run-Up project, which is a critical improvement that will benefit four aircraft maintenance providers operating at St. Louis Downtown Airport. This project will support more than 450 high-tech aerospace manufacturing jobs by improving production safety, reliability and efficiency, improving airport businesses and increasing global competitiveness for Southwestern Illinois and the state of Illinois.

The project has been in the works for several years. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2022.

“This Engine Run-Up facility will provide new opportunities to expand aerospace manufacturing opportunities at St. Louis Downtown Airport, resulting in job growth and private sector investment at this site,” said Taulby Roach, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bi-State Development. “We greatly appreciate the support of Senator Belt and Representative Greenwood in advocating for this funding and are confident that it will enable us to continue to grow the annual economic impact of our Airport.”

A full list of recipients can be found here.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced a $4.5 million investment in state funding to help maintain and upgrade the Rockford Airport on Wednesday.

“The Rockford Airport is a strong economic driver of our region that provides hundreds of jobs to our community,” Stadelman said. “The funding to help maintain and upgrade sections of the airport is an investment in our residents to help our area thrive after such a tough year.”

SPRINGFIELD – A bill introduced by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) to ensure the provisions in the Community Health Worker Certification and Reimbursement Act are fully implemented was signed into law Tuesday.

“With this follow-up legislation to the health care pillar, we can finally bring the proper certification to these essential health workers,” Hunter said. “I am happy that we could further address the needs of community health workers."

MARYVILLE – This holiday season, State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is collecting toys in partnership with Alton’s Toys for Tots campaign to offer a special Christmas surprise to local children in need.

The toys will be collected starting Monday, Nov. 29 through Dec. 19. Toys for children of all ages can be dropped off at four locations around the Metro East:

• VFW Post 1308, 4445 N Alby St, Alton, IL 62002, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday at 10 a.m.-10 p.m. or Tuesday and Saturday at 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Crowe’s Maryville District Office, 35 Executive Plaza Ct., Monday through Friday at 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Crowe’s Wood River District Office, 111 N. Wood River Ave., Suite A by appointment only.
• Happy Up, 6654 Edwardsville Crossing Dr., Suite A, Edwardsville, IL 62505, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

“To show our appreciation and gratitude, the holiday season is a time we purchase gifts for our loved ones,” Crowe said. “Many families in our communities struggle financially during the Christmas season. I encourage residents to donate new or gently used toys so a child in need can enjoy a gift this season.”

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute toys as Christmas gifts to children in the community.

To make a drop-off appointment at Crowe’s office or for more information on the toy drive, call 618-251-9840.