MONTGOMERY – The Montgomery & Countryside Fire Protection District will receive $6,565 in small equipment grant funding to purchase critical equipment, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) announced Tuesday.

“Properly functioning lifesaving equipment can make the difference in a life-or-death situation, and our first responders deserve to have all the necessary tools at their disposal,” Villa said. “Words will never be enough to thank the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, but I’m hopeful that this critical funding will help extend our gracious thanks to Illinois’ first responders.”

These grants are part of the Small Equipment Grant Program, under which 149 fire departments, districts and EMS providers across Illinois have been selected to receive $3.3 million to purchase new firefighting and ambulance equipment. The program will help fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those that have trouble generating the necessary revenue for small equipment.

“Departments have had to make tough financial decisions, especially this year during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “The Small Equipment Grant Program helps reduce the burden on smaller departments/districts while replacing aging and sometimes failing small equipment.” 

A full list of grantees is available here.

ELGIN – To encourage young people to continue learning during the summer, State Senator Christina Castro (D-Elgin) is launching a Summer Reading Club for students in and around the Elgin area.

“Summer vacation and other breaks from school can result in learning loss for students,” Castro said. “Students who continue reading during the summer are more likely to remain engaged and continue to do well in school.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books and return the form to Castro’s office by Aug. 11. Senator Castro will host a pizza party for those who finish the program.

“Reading helps students develop healthy minds,” Castro said. “This program will help them make reading into a habit and prepare them for the upcoming school year.”

Parents can visit senatorcristinacastro.com to download and print the book club form. They can also call Castro’s office at (847) 214-8864 to request a copy by mail.

Castro urges interested residents to call her office with any additional questions.

HIGHWOOD – Following recent findings that the Illinois Department of Children and Family was not respecting the needs of LGBTQ youth in care, the agency announced Tuesday it is enhancing its LGBTQ training and resources. State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is calling on the department to adhere to its policies to ensure all children feel safe and heard.

“LGBTQ youth in care are disproportionately likely to become homeless and deal with mental health struggles,” Morrison said. “I am hopeful under the enhanced training DCFS will work more diligently to respect LGBTQ children’s identities and prioritize the care they need.”

BUFFALO GROVE – To encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 while they shop, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is sponsoring a free vaccination clinic during the 12^th Annual Vernon Township Community Garage Sale this Saturday.

The clinic is cosponsored by the Lake County Health Department, Doctors Test Centers and Vernon Township.

“The Community Garage Sale regularly brings out hundreds of residents to support the Vernon Township Food Pantry,” Johnson said. “This free clinic will give attendees another quick and easy way to help out their community: getting vaccinated.”

The clinic will be held Saturday, June 26, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Vernon Township Community Services Building, located at 2900 N. Main St. in Buffalo Grove. Residents age 12 and up can get vaccinated at the event, but young adults age 12-17 will need a parent or guardian present. Everyone who gets vaccinated will also receive a free one-day pass to Six Flags Great America.

All vaccinations are free, regardless of insurance or citizenship status.

The Vernon Township Community Garage Sale, which is open June 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., takes place at the Prairie View Metra Station, just blocks from the clinic. The event benefits the Vernon Township Food Pantry.

Those interested in receiving a vaccine at the June 26 clinic can register online at allvax.lakecohealth.org, but walk-ins are also welcome.

For more information, contact Johnson’s office at 847-672-6201.

DES PLAINES – Residents of Hanover Park will be able to spend time outdoors and stay connected to surrounding communities thanks to a $450,000 project extending the County Farm Road multi-use path, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced.

“A well-rounded community infrastructure system offers a range of accessible transportation options, including walking and bike paths,” Murphy said. “These improvements will make it safer and easier for residents to take in all the natural beauty our area has to offer.”

The project will extend County Farm Road south from the Hanover Park Metra Station and make safety improvements along the route. The extended path will connect County Farm Road to an existing bike path that reaches Mallard Lake and Hawk Hollow forest preserves, giving cyclists and pedestrians easy access to a greater trail network.

These improvements are funded through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP), for which the Illinois Department of Transportation has selected 99 projects totaling $105.7 million. Projects receiving funding in this round of investment include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification, and other projects designed to encourage safe travel across the various modes of transportation at the local level.

Residents of the Northwest Suburbs will also see improvements to a number of other area trails for pedestrians and bicyclists through ITEP, including Clearmont Pedestrian Bridge over Salt Creek in Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines River Trail in Rosemont and Oakton Street Sidepath in Des Plaines.

“Safe and well-maintained trails give residents, commuters and visitors the opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature,” Murphy said. “The new and improved County Farm Road will keep us connected with the environment and each other.”

BUFFALO GROVE – To give people the opportunity to ask questions, interact with their neighbors and get updates about what’s going on in Springfield, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is inviting residents to attend the first in-person session of her monthly outreach event series, Coffee & Connect.

“Due to the pandemic, many community events have gone virtual, and it’s been more difficult to get to know our neighbors,” Johnson said. “With more and more people getting vaccinated every day, I’m excited to be able to meet and chat with residents in person about their vision for our community’s future.”

The next Coffee & Connect session will be held Saturday, June 26 at 10 a.m. in the outdoor picnic shelter at Diamond Lake Sports Complex in Mundelein. Residents who are more comfortable participating virtually can sign up to join the meeting via Zoom at www.SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com/CoffeeConnect.

Each monthly Coffee & Connect serves as an open forum for community members to engage in informal conversations with the senator and each other about issues facing the region and the state.

The event is open to any resident of the 30^th District, which includes parts of Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, North Chicago, Wheeling, Gurnee, Park City, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Beach Park.

Residents interested in more information on future Coffee & Connect sessions and other upcoming events, visit www.SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com or connect with Senator Johnson on Facebook and Twitter.

Back in business

After nearly 15 months, we have now reached the time we have all longed for: Our state reopening. As of Friday, Illinois has entered Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan – and that’s all thanks to you.

We appreciate the work each of you have done to get us where we are today. From the health care workers who endured the toughest years of their careers, to the essential workers who put their health on the line to keep businesses running – and everyone who masked up, social distanced and gotten vaccinated – each of you played a part in the state’s reopening and the lifted capacity limits.

Here’s what Phase 5 will look like:

• Businesses across all industries—including bars, restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, live music venues, and indoor and outdoor recreational spaces—can return to full operations for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Festivals, conventions and other large events can resume.
• Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask except where required by local business and workplace guidance.

For a full list of reopening guidelines, click here.

Senate returns for clean energy session

The Illinois Senate will return to the Capitol on Tuesday, June 15 for the purpose of voting on clean energy legislation that would set Illinois on a path to a nation-leading renewable energy plan.

“This is a landmark clean energy plan that both protects thousands of jobs and moves Illinois responsibly toward the future,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon.

To stay up-to-date on this and other key issues, visit www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com.

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GARDNER – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is pleased to announce the Gardner Fire Protection District will receive funding through the Small Equipment Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal for equipment upgrades.

“Having the right safety equipment is critical for first responders,” Joyce said. “This grant program is a tremendous resource that helps meet basic equipment needs for local fire departments to fight fires and save lives.”

The Small Equipment Grant Program was established by OSFM to provide grants of up to $26,000 to support small firefighting and ambulance equipment purchases. A total of $3.3 million was awarded to 149 fire departments and EMS providers across the state through the program.

The Gardner Fire Protection District will receive $17,480.

“Departments have had to make tough financial decisions, especially this year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring our first responders in Illinois have properly functioning lifesaving equipment they need to perform their duties safely, while protecting their communities, is our top priority. The Small Equipment Grant Program helps reduce the burden on smaller departments/districts while replacing aging and sometimes failing small equipment,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. 

A complete list of recipients and awards can be found on the OSFM website.