LOCKPORT – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) announced Tuesday that local governments in the 43^rd Legislative District will be receiving nearly $16 million in the newest round of Rebuild Illinois grants.

“I am very pleased to see such a considerable investment being made in our district.” Connor said. “Having safe and reliable infrastructure not only makes a positive impact on our communities every day, but brings good jobs and boosts our local economy for years to come as well.”

The funding is being distributed in an effort to ensure that local governments have the necessary resources to repair and maintain infrastructure, as well as create jobs and boost the economy on a local level. Cities and municipalities may choose to use the grant for road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs, with financial oversight from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“When we invest in the roads we drive on and the bridges we cross, we invest in our communities, and I’m excited to see what these grants mean for the future of the 43^rd District,” Connor said.

This funding comes as the fourth of six rounds of $1.5 billion in grants through the Rebuild Illinois program. Those interested can find a complete list of awards here.

SPRINGFIELD – State agencies would have the data they need to take a more proactive approach to public health issues under legislation sponsored by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).

“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for more comprehensive data on community health,” Johnson said. “It’s time to reach out to residents in the overlooked corners of the state so we can craft more effective policy to improve health outcomes across all demographics.”

Johnson’s legislation would require the Illinois Department of Public Health to administer a comprehensive Healthy Illinois Survey every year to study public health and health equity in Illinois.

The survey would gather input from Illinois residents in urban, suburban and rural areas across the state. Survey questions would cover a range of topics, including access to health services, chronic health conditions, diet, mental health, physical activity, substance abuse and more.

Following the survey, the department would be required to make the results available to cities, communities, local health departments and hospitals, and to publish the data on its website broken down by race, ethnicity, gender, age and geography.

The idea for the Healthy Illinois Survey stems from the successful Healthy Chicago Survey, which collects data identifying health concerns in Chicago communities to inform the city’s public health policy.

“Understanding a problem is the first step toward solving it,” Johnson said. “We need a fuller picture of the barriers our communities are facing to health and wellness.”

House Bill 3504 passed the Senate Healthcare Access and Availability Committee Tuesday and now heads to the Senate floor.

SPRINGFIELD – Older adults in Illinois who receive home-delivered meal services would have critical—and even life-saving—information at their fingertips under legislation proposed by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).

“Many of our older neighbors might not have easy access to the internet. As a result, they might find it difficult to connect with programs and resources available to them,” Johnson said. “By providing them a hard copy of toll-free phone numbers and other helpful information, we’re putting these important services within reach.”

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced Monday that local governments he represents in Cook and Will Counties will receive more than $50 million in the latest round of Rebuild Illinois infrastructure grants.

“The Rebuild Illinois program represents the state’s commitment to restoring our aging infrastructure,” Joyce said. “The projects ahead will not only create safer smoother, safer and more accessible transportation options for drivers, but will also provide jobs in our community and across the state.” 

The funding is being distributed in an effort to ensure that local governments have the necessary resources to repair and maintain infrastructure, as well as create jobs and boost the economy on a local level. Cities and municipalities may choose to use the grant for road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs, with financial oversight from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“Investing in these crucial improvements now will make the lives of our residents and visitors easier for years to come,” Joyce said. “Our communities will soon receive the much-needed upgrades and advances necessary to continue driving development.”

This funding comes as the fourth of six rounds of grants totaling $1.5 billion through the Rebuild Illinois program. Those interested can find a complete list of awards here.

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) announced that DuPage County is set to receive nearly $6 million in grant money from the Rebuild Illinois plan.

“As the summer construction season gets underway, I am excited to see that our community will be receiving more funding to improve our roads and bridges,” Cullerton said. “Modernizing our state’s infrastructure is vital to bringing travelers from near and far to Illinois.”

This round of Rebuild Illinois grants is the fourth of six rounds to be distributed to advance municipal, township and county projects across the state. The grants are overseen by the Illinois Department of Transportation and will total $1.5 billion when all rounds of grants are distributed.

“As more funding is secured, the projects in DuPage County will bring in good-paying jobs to the community,” Cullerton said. “Investments in our infrastructure has countless payoffs, from shortening people’s commute to drawing visitors to the area.”

Through these grants, Illinois has already seen the improvement of 3,000 miles of highway, completed over 180 bridges and launched hundreds of other infrastructure projects across the state. It is the fourth installment of funding allocated under the plan.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure cost is not the deciding factor for residents thinking about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) introduced legislation requiring insurance companies to cover the full cost of the vaccination.

“Getting vaccinated is the right thing to do for the safety of your loved ones and neighbors,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Not being able to afford the COVID-19 vaccine should not stop anyone from receiving it.”

Under the proposal, the coverage requirement would apply to individual and group health insurance policies and managed care plans under Medicaid in effect since March 9, 2020. Companies would not be allowed to impose cost-sharing measures on patients.

“Some residents have chosen not to get the vaccine for health or personal reasons, but the cost should not be a deciding factor,” Glowiak Hilton said. “The sooner our state’s population is vaccinated, the sooner we can get our economy moving, build up our damaged industries and regain some sense of normalcy.”

House Bill 2406 awaits action by the Senate Insurance Committee.

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced Monday that local governments in Peoria County will be receiving over $2.5 million in the newest round of Rebuild Illinois infrastructure grants.

“This funding will allow Illinois to stay at the forefront of infrastructure investment and improvement in the Midwest,” Koehler said. “When we take the time to improve our infrastructure, we improve our future.”

The funding gives local governments resources to repair and maintain infrastructure, create jobs and boost the economy on a local level. Municipalities may choose to use the grant for road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs, with financial oversight from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“Rebuild Illinois has already repaired and revitalized thousands of miles of roads, some of which run right through the hearts of communities here in Central Illinois,” Koehler said. “This funding will bring good-paying jobs into our community and will help ensure that cities and towns both here and across the state can grow and thrive for years into the future.”

This funding comes as the fourth of six rounds of $1.5 billion in grants through the Rebuild Illinois program. Those interested can find a complete list of awards here.

Aurora, Ill. – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) announced the fourth round of Rebuild Illinois grants will bring more than $18 million in local construction projects to the 42^nd Senate District.

“We definitely need these improvements for safety and efficiency on our roads and in our municipal facilities, and the projects will create jobs that pay well,” Holmes said. “This is another boost to our recovering economy as we get back on track after the worst of the pandemic.”

The funding will be distributed to municipalities across DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties.

Through the Rebuild Illinois program, a total of $1.5 billion spread out in six installments will be invested over three years to advance municipal, township and county projects across the state. Projects include road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs, with financial oversight from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

A complete list of local governments and awards can be viewed here.