SOUTH ELGIN – State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) recently honored 50 South Elgin high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“I want to extend my congratulations to the students in the 25^th District who worked tirelessly to earn the prestigious title of Illinois State Scholar,” Villa said. “All of the early mornings and late nights studying paid off—the honor could help these scholars gain admission to the colleges of their choice and secure financial assistance.”

The Scholars from South Elgin include students from South Elgin High School.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) recently honored 179 high school students from the community who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“I want to congratulate all the hard-working students who are recognized as Illinois State Scholars this year,” Cullerton said. “After such a difficult and unprecedented year, these students really went above and beyond to achieve this recognition.”

MARYVILLE– State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) applauds the 206 Metro East high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

“To be named an Illinois State Scholar takes hard work and perseverance, and I am so proud of the Metro East students who earned the distinguished honor,” Crowe said. “With the support of their families, teachers and administrators, these students have excelled despite the many challenges they’ve faced over the last year.”

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) recently honored 258 St. Clair County high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“The last two school years have been hard on students, school staff and parents,” Belt said. “No one could have predicted a global pandemic disrupting all of our lives, and that’s why I’m so proud of these students,” Belt said. “Not only did they performed academically, but they had to perform mentally and emotionally as well. It takes a lot of courage and discipline to achieve what these students have achieved with hybrid and remote learning.”

The scholars from St. Clair County include students from nine area high schools: O’Fallon Township, Althoff Catholic, Belleville Township East, Belleville Township West, First Baptist Academy, Freeburg, Lebanon, Marissa Junior/Senior and Mascoutah high schools. 

LOCKPORT – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) congratulates 84 Joliet area high school students in the 43^rd District who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“I couldn’t be prouder to recognize these outstanding students and all of the hard work they’ve put in,” Connor said. “It’s been a difficult year and these students, their families, and our teachers and school administrators all deserve congratulations on their dedication.”

SPRINGFIELD – Two measures proposed by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to increase transparency for mobile home buyers and improve conditions in mobile home parks have been sponsored in the House.

“Financial transparency and access to clean water are foundational rights that should be afforded to any homeowner,” Murphy said. “I’m proud to see this legislation being picked up in the House, bringing us one step closer to making these initiatives a reality.”

A loan for a mobile home located in a mobile home park is different from a mortgage: Mobile homes are assessed and taxed as personal property rather than real estate, interest rates are often much higher than those for typical home loans, and refinancing options are limited. To ensure residents are well informed when purchasing a mobile home, Senate Bill 1779 would require lenders to disclose these differences to prospective mobile home buyers.

Murphy has also introduced Senate Bill 1780, which calls for the owner of a mobile home park to provide water to residents if the normal water supply has been disrupted for more than three days, unless the disruption is due to circumstances beyond the owner’s control. Murphy was inspired to introduce the legislation after a weeklong water shortage in 2019 at the Blackhawk Estates mobile home park in unincorporated Des Plaines, which left residents unable to shower, do laundry or wash dishes.

“Every resident deserves to be able to rely on safe living conditions and to know where they stand financially,” Murphy said. “These measures ensure mobile home owners are protected just like any Illinois homeowner.”

Senate Bills 1779 and 1780 have been sponsored in the House by State Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines).

SPRINGFIELD – The final pillar of the Legislative Black Caucus plan to eradicate systemic racism, sponsored by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) was signed into law Tuesday.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the systemic economic, educational and health disparities that have historically plagued African Americans across our country. For centuries, Black people have been disrespected, abused and misused in the name of health care, starting with the abuse of the enslaved,” Hunter said. “To prevent future harm to one of our most vulnerable populations, we have enacted this informed policy, with the goal of deep, intense reform.”

SPRINGFIELD – The work of Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) and an Electronic Notarization Task Force produced a report detailing the benefits for Illinoisans that was provided to the governor and General Assembly, and its findings led to a measure sponsored by Holmes and passed by the Illinois Senate.

Senate Bill 2664 will set the standards for appointment as an electronic notary, creates definitions for electronic notarization; codifies best practices of the National Association of Notaries for electronic notarization; and implements safeguards to ensure the integrity of the technology and the process of electronic notarization.

“I was convinced this was a step to update a process many people use but sometimes can’t find a notary nearby; over the past year, the need for a convenient, protected method for notarization for businesses and consumers became even more obvious,” Holmes said. “I’m pleased that Speaker Chris Welch has picked up this bill as chief sponsor in the House.”