CHAMPAIGN – As students return to campus for the fall semester, Senate Higher Education Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is joining the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the National Fire Protection Association to offer tips to students to help prevent common campus fires and reduce fire hazards.

“With students returning to campus after being home for much of last year, and many of them being on their own for the first time, it’s extremely important for them to review fire safety tips to learn how to prevent fires,” Bennett said. “The more prepared students are, the better we can reduce fire risk.”

OAKBROOK TERRACE – Patrons of nine libraries in the 24th Senate District will soon see upgrades to services thanks to more than $316,000 in grants, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) announced Wednesday.

“Libraries provide a safe space for residents to use a computer, check out a book or learn a new skill,” Glowiak Hilton said. “People rely on technology for work, school and everyday life—when they can’t access these resources at home, libraries can fill the gaps.”

The $316,086.62 received by nine local libraries is part of $18.1 million in grants awarded to 638 public libraries across the state. For more than 40 years, the Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Program has helped public libraries with a low library tax base to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

Libraries will use the grants from the secretary of state’s office to help fund new services and products, such as audiobooks, adult programming, dual language materials and more.  

“State funding helps libraries continue to provide much-needed resources to the community,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Students, seniors and families will reap the benefits of these grants at their local libraries.”

The following libraries in the district Glowiak Hilton represents will receive funds:

• Clarendon Hills Public Library, $12,496.20
• Elmhurst Public Library, $65,078.48
• Glen Ellyn Public Library, $40,488.75
• Helen M. Plum Memorial Public Library District in Lombard, $64,000.25
• Hinsdale Public Library, $24,803.60
• Lisle Library District, $42,043.40
• Oak Brook Public Library, $11,627.43
• Thomas Ford Memorial Library in Western Springs, $19,138.13
• Westmont Public Library, $36,410.38

For more information on the grants, residents can visit the secretary of state’s website.

BOLINGBROOK – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) will host traveling office hours to assist residents with legislative issues, hear their input and direct them toward helpful state resources.

“Feedback and input from the people I represent is absolutely vital,” Loughran Cappel said. “When I have the opportunity to sit down with residents and discuss what matters most to them, I’m able to bring their needs to the table in Springfield and help them find solutions.”

The traveling office hours will be held Wednesday, Sept. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Fountaindale Library, located at 300 W. Briarcliff Road in Bolingbrook.

“The work I do every day is shaped by my community,” Loughran Cappel. “I’m looking forward to having meaningful discussions with residents and learning more about how I can best serve them.”

For more information, residents are encouraged to contact Loughran Cappel’s office at 815-267-6119 or visit SenatorLoughranCappel.com.

MARYVILLE – Patrons of 11 libraries in Madison County will soon see upgrades to services thanks to more than $260,000 in grants, State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced Wednesday.

“Libraries provide communities with more than books– they provide a safe space for residents to utilize technology, community resources and education,” Crowe said. “With an increased reliance on technology for work, school and everyday life, libraries are essential– especially for residents in underserved areas.”

The $266,072.52 received by 11 local libraries is part of $18.1 million in grants awarded to 638 public libraries across the state. For more than 40 years, the Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Program has helped public libraries with a low library tax base to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

Libraries will use the grants from the secretary of state’s office to help fund new services and products, such as audiobooks, adult programming, dual language materials and more.  

“In order to provide our communities with robust literacy resources, state funding is instrumental,” Crowe said. “Thanks to these grants, Metro East students, seniors and families will have better-quality reading, writing and creative opportunities at their local libraries.”

The following libraries in the district Crowe represents will receive funds:

• Bethalto Public Library District, $23,346.30
• Caseyville Public Library District, $7,038.70
• East Alton Public Library District, $17,965.50
• Edwardsville Public Library, $39,280.73
• Glen Carbon Centennial Library District, $19,077.65
• Hartford Public Library District, $2,107.78
• Hayner Public Library District in Alton, $72,826.65
• Maryville Community Library District, $14,620.20
• Mississippi Valley Library District in Collinsville, $51,815.28
• Roxana Public Library District, $2,274.45
• Wood River Public Library $15,719.08

For more information on the grants, residents can visit the secretary of state’s website.

ELGIN – In the months following the spring legislative session, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) is celebrating the signing of a number of pieces of legislation she spearheaded to help Illinoisans.

“I am proud of the General Assembly’s work this year to pass a wide range of measures to improve the lives of Illinoisans,” Castro said. “As we prepare to return to session in the coming months, I hope to continue my work to support and protect residents of the state, especially our most vulnerable.”

OAKBROOK TERRACE – To give more residents the opportunity to visit her office with comments and concerns, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is extending her office hours to accommodate the schedules of busy parents and working families.

Glowiak Hilton’s Oakbrook Terrace office, located at 17W715 E. Butterfield Road, Suite F, will be open until 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 27 and Wednesday, Sept. 29. The office is typically open weekdays until 4:30 p.m.

“With the school year starting, my office will be available to offer direct help for residents, families and business owners needing to access recovery resources for an extended amount of time,” Glowiak Hilton said. “I encourage anyone who needs assistance, has ideas or just wants to talk to attend.”

Glowiak Hilton invites residents to visit her office for help accessing state services and to discuss legislative matters directly. Masks are required indoors.

Appointments are encouraged, but not required and can be made by calling (630) 785-3177.

SPRINGFIELD — A measure sponsored by Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) to provide greater continuity of support for students from kindergarten through graduation is now law.

The new law allows elementary and high school districts with overlapping boundaries to share student information and records as long as there is an intergovernmental agreement in place.

“The inability of districts like Oak Park Elementary School District 97 to share this data has led to gaps in understanding of what works best for students,” Harmon said. “This law will help teachers, counselors and social workers meet the needs of the children they serve.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) continued his series of legislative people’s councils by inviting single moms from across the 7^th District to his office for a discussion Thursday night.

“I want to reimagine the office of state senator in a way that shares decision making and policy goal-setting with people across the district whose voices have been ignored by decision makers,” Simmons said. “Nearly one out of three households in the 7^th District are headed by single parents. I feel it is critical to create open lines of communication that allow them to articulate their needs and enable me to write legislation that is relevant and that can make a difference in their livelihoods.”