PARK FOREST – The annual Conservation Achievement Scholarship is now accepting applications, and State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) encourages eligible Illinois high school seniors to apply.

“The price of attending college is a very serious concern for many students and families,” Joyce said. “This scholarship opportunity is a chance to help students lessen the burden of college debt – I hope every eligible high school senior applies.”

The Conservation Achievement Scholarship will award up to four scholarships of $2,000 each for the 2021-2022 school year. These scholarships are one-time awards that are not renewable. The scholarship funds may be used for tuition, college or university fees, textbooks, or room and board. Funds are mailed directly to the college or university of the successful applicant.

Applications are due March 1. Awardees will be selected based on their contributions to Illinois’ natural resources throughout their high school enrollment. Applicants must possess a 2.5 grade point average or better on a 4.0 scale, or a 3.1 grade point average or better on a 5.0 scale. Students must also be enrolling in a two- or four-year college or university in the calendar year of their high school graduation.

The application form is available online at the Illinois Conservation Foundation’s website. Questions should be addressed to the Illinois Conservation Foundation at 217-785-2003 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

DOLTON – As small businesses continue to suffer from the national health crisis, State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) is honored to announces that a combined 86 local businesses were awarded over a million dollars during the second round of the Business Interruption Grant program.

“Small businesses play an important role in supporting their local communities but have had a time tough time staying relevant amongst this pandemic,” Harris said. “Many of these businesses have little cash on hand or resources to buffer even with a minor financial infraction, so it’s vital that we provide them with the financial assistance to continue to bolster our local economies.”

CHICAGO –Taft Freshman Academy has received an Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Grant to fund a pollinator garden at the school, State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) announced.

“Physical, hands-on learning is one of the best ways to engage children in their education,” Martwick said. “This project will help students learn about natural habitats and ecology by interacting with the many species that call their garden home.”

The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Fund to support the development or enhancement of wildlife habitat on school grounds or other public places. Projects funded by these grants are meant to teach children that their actions can make a difference in the world while increasing the use of native plants in Illinois.

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign Downtown Commercial District is one of 12 Illinois sites added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Wednesday.

“This designation is a tremendous recognition of the historic structures that continue to serve as part of the Downtown Commercial District in Champaign,” Bennett said. “I’m thrilled to see our community being recognized with this distinct honor for its history and architecture.”

CHICAGO – To help get the health of Illinoisans back on track, State Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago) is thrilled to announce a COVID-19 vaccination site has opened in Robbins.

“I encourage everyone who is eligible to get the vaccine,” Jones said. “We have waited nearly a year to get to this point. The sooner people get the vaccine, the sooner we can get back to normal and put this pandemic, and all the hardships it caused, behind us.”

The site opened this week at Robbins Health Center, located at 13450 S. Kedzie Ave., and its hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) retained her leadership position as Majority Caucus Chair of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

“I am happy to continue serving as Majority Caucus Chair for the Democratic Caucus,” Hunter said. “I will continue to work with my colleagues to develop policies that better the lives of our constituents across the state.”

Hunter has represented the 3^rd District for nearly 20 years and has passed over 200 bills concerning breast cancer, childhood vaccines, youth employment, environmental issues and education.

PLAINFIELD – The Oswegoland Park District Nature Preschool has received an Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Grant to fund a pollinator garden at the school, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Plainfield) announced. 

“Kids learn best through hands-on experience, so this grant opportunity is a great way to give them that opportunity,” said Loughran Cappel, who was a teacher prior to becoming senator. “This project will benefit both the kids who get to learn about Illinois habitats and the wildlife species the garden will attract.”

OAKBROOK TERRACE – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is encouraging K-12 students to create and submit artwork for the annual art contest sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois State Board of Education. This year’s theme is “Art Surrounds Us.”

“Creating artwork allows students to express themselves, be creative and inspire the people around them,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Parents, teachers and friends: Please encourage your young, talented artists to enter. I look forward to seeing the pieces of art submitted to this statewide contest.”

The contest includes four entry levels: grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. A panel of judges selects a winner and three runners-up in each entry level.