DES PLAINES – Municipalities across the Northwest Suburbs will receive more than $11 million in combined Rebuild Illinois infrastructure grants in the latest round of program funding, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced Monday.

“Sound infrastructure is critical to our communities’ safety and success,” Murphy said. “These funds will allow our local governments to make much-needed upgrades to sidewalks, roads and bridges, making travel smoother and easier for all our residents.”

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.

“Rebuild Illinois doesn’t just revitalize our infrastructure—it creates high-quality jobs right here in the community,” Murphy said. “This plan is critical to the long-term economic health of our region and of Illinois as a whole.”

This funding comes as the fourth of six rounds of grants totaling $1.5 billion through the Rebuild Illinois program. A complete list of awards is available here.

BUFFALO GROVE – Lake County residents will soon enjoy safer, smoother travel thanks to a combined $7.7 million in Rebuild Illinois infrastructure grants, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) announced Monday.

“Many communities in the area have suffered from historic underinvestment, and our infrastructure shows it,” Johnson said. “The Rebuild Illinois program is a significant step toward restoring the neighborhoods that have gone unsupported for too long.”

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.

“These funds will enable our local governments to make crucial repairs to roads, bridges and sidewalks in our community, creating jobs and making travel easier, safer and more enjoyable for everyone,” Johnson said.

This funding comes as the fourth of six rounds of $1.5 billion in grants through the Rebuild Illinois program. A complete list of awards is available here.

CHICAGO – Last week, State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) was awarded the Friend of Education award by the Illinois Education Association for his continued commitment to helping students and educators in their pursuit of knowledge.

“It is an honor to receive such an outstanding award from an organization working to help the citizens of Illinois,” Martwick said. “Education remains the center of our society, and we must adapt to the ever-changing future as much as we can to help educators and student succeed.”

This Friend of Education award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated commitment to the success of public education and to the ideals and mission of the IEA-NEA.

Martwick has long been a supporter of education and works hard to make sure students are taken care of inside and outside of school. This means teachers are being recognized and supported for all their hard work, and students are able to feel safe and secure in the learning environment.

“I will continue to support educators and students who are working to better themselves,” Martwick said. “Creating meaningful legislation that works to improve our education system and ensure the safety and comfort of students and teachers is what is truly important.”

Martwick is currently sponsoring legislation like Senate Bill 1577, which would provide students with the ability to take mental health days away from school, and House Bills 576 and 577, which would help to identify students who are at risk for suicide and help bolster mental health awareness.

CHICAGO – This past Tuesday, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced the fourth round of grants that are going out to local communities from the Rebuild Illinois Statewide Construction Program, and State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) is pleased that approximately $1.9 million in funding is coming to the community to help rebuild transportation infrastructure and get people back on track.

“This funding will help many people find jobs while maintaining the transportation they use to visit family, go to school, and travel to work,” Martwick said. “This funding is a building block in our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

A total of $1.5 billion spread out in six installments is being 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 agencies and awards can be viewed here.

“An investment in our communities’ infrastructure goes a long way,” Martwick said. “People rely on our roads and bridges every day, and we need to make sure they remain safe.”

As part of its current FY2021-26 Proposed Highway Improvement Program, IDOT is investing a total of $21.3 billion to improve roads, bridges, and local transportation.

SPRINGFIELD – In a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing Friday, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) led a discussion regarding a recently released report on the November COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. The veterans’ home is ran by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

“My colleagues and I were all horrified to hear about the devastating loss of life at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home this past fall and winter,” said Cullerton, chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee. “I’ve read the full OIG report and it is clear to me that there was a breakdown of communication between staff and management at the facility.”

CHICAGO – To better serve undocumented and immigrant communities, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate on Thursday that would allow municipal ID cards to be used to access state services and facilities.

“All residents of Illinois, regardless of immigration status, should be able to receive essential state services,” Villivalam said. “Allowing municipal IDs to be used for this will allow the most vulnerable among us to get the assisstance they need.”

SPRINGFIELD – On Saturday, May 15, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) will celebrate the grand opening of the Decatur District Office with a ribbon cutting.

“I’d encourage those of you in the area to stop by for a personal meet and greet,” said Turner. “I am very excited about the opening of our new offices and I am eager to get out and meet the community.”

The event will be held until 1 p.m. and district advisors strongly encourage visitors to wear a mask.

What: Ribbon Cutting for Decatur District Office

When: Saturday, May 15, 2021

Where:  12:00 p.m. – Ribbon Cutting for Decatur District Office
J. Morris Enterprises 1210 S. Jasper St. Decatur, IL 62521

SPRINGFIELD – After more than a year of social distancing, mask wearing and limited quality time with loved ones, Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is pleased Illinois has now moved one step closer to normalcy as the Bridge Phase of the Restore Illinois Plan begins.

“The return to normalcy is on the horizon,” Morrison said. “But life as we once knew it is only feasible if we get vaccinated and continue to mask up in crowded areas.”

Illinois entered what has been pegged as the “Bridge Phase” of its recovery plan Friday, allowing capacity limits to ease and business operations to increase.

The move to the Bridge Phase – which is the final phase before a full reopening – comes as more than 10.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered across the state. Barring any significant reversals in cases and hospitalizations, Governor JB Pritzker said the state could see a full reopening as soon as June 11.