RIVERDALE — State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) announced the Carver Park Fieldhouse will undergo a $759,858 Rebuild Illinois renovation project to provide expanded athletic and recreational facilities, space for incubators and job skills training to the community.

“The rehabilitation of Carver Park Fieldhouse will not only provide a safe space for athletics but will lead the way to expanding job training and skills development for businesses and residents throughout our community,” Harris said. “This and other Shovel Ready grants will make the highest and best use of our statewide capital plan by improving infrastructure to meet the needs of community members today while setting the stage for broader economic development in the future.”

The Carver Park Fieldhouse is located in the Riverdale community and features a gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, boxing ring and multi-purpose clubrooms. The outside of the fieldhouse offers a playground, baseball diamonds, a batting cage, a sand volleyball court, basketball courts and a picnic area.

The investment for this project comes from the Shovel Ready Infrastructure Capital Program. Shovel Ready funding will help boost essential community development projects, including those that repurpose vacant land in disadvantaged communities into valuable community spaces.

Shovel Ready projects are supported by Rebuild Illinois – the state’s $45 billion, 5-year capital program.

All Shovel Ready projects will follow minority business participation requirements of the State of Illinois' Business Enterprise Program and will meet local hiring requirements through the Illinois Works program.

CHICAGO – New jobs and an improved infrastructure will soon come to Alsip and Calumet Park, thanks to a grant awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) is pleased the long-overdue project has become a priority.

“These projects will be a major economic boon for Alsip and Calumet Park,” Jones said. “They will help those communities by creating more jobs and fostering long term economic development.”

WOOD RIVER – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has selected Riverbend Family Ministries in Wood River to receive a grant of nearly $500,000 to expand services in the Metro East, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced Thursday.

“By investing in local organizations, our state solidifies its commitment to improving opportunities and services that many residents depend on,” Crowe said. “Riverbend Family Ministries is such a blessing to the Metro East, and I am thrilled to see the state recognize its community work and fund its expansion.”

ROCKFORD – With the state’s Rebuild Illinois program in full swing, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is highlighting a commitment made by the state to grant $772,000 in funding for a shovel ready construction project in downtown Rockford on Thursday.

“The redevelopment of downtown Rockford benefits the entire region,” Stadelman said. “The project next to the new library uses prime riverfront property, with a mix of dining, retail and residential space that promises to appeal to a diverse crowd.”

The project, funded through the Shovel Ready Infrastructure Capital Program, is set to prepare an underutilized site located at 227 N. Wyman in Rockford for redevelopment, with project activities including architectural engineering, site preparation and improvement.

The grant will help support Bush construction, the company developing the six-story riverfront property next to the new downtown Rockford Public Library with space for a restaurant, retail shops and apartment units.

"I'm excited this project is shovel-ready and now will be supported with Rebuild Illinois funds,” Stadelman said. “I look forward to the opening of the new library campus.”

The Shovel Ready Infrastructure Capital Program is part of Rebuild Illinois, the state’s 5-year statewide construction program. You can visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website for updates on this and future Rebuild Illinois projects.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) has been appointed to serve on the bipartisan Illinois Legislative Audit Commission.

“Ensuring transparent, bipartisan oversight of our state agencies is important to the functionality and integrity of a fair government,” Crowe said. “I’m pleased to have the opportunity to continue the commission’s work with my colleagues.”

Crowe is one of 12 legislators appointed to the commission by the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives to oversee the State Audit Program, review the administration of public funds and recommend actions to improve agency policies.

The commission will review all audits conducted by the State Auditor General. Primary responsibilities of the commission include:

• Hosting public hearings on all major audits of state agencies to review problems, review agency administration, and secure corrective action;
• Making recommendations to the General Assembly and agency management for corrective legislation and other methods to strengthen weaknesses revealed through audits or at commission hearings; and
• Monitoring agency progress in implementing corrective action.

For additional information on the commission and upcoming meetings, visit the ILGA website.

SPRINGFIELD – To help social services employees better identify, understand and protect patients with dementia, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is partnering with the Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association on legislation to improve training for employees of the Illinois Department on Aging’s Adult Protective Services division.

“For employees working to prevent abuse and neglect of older adults, it’s critical to be familiar with the symptoms of dementia and the types of abuse that most commonly affect patients living with it,” Senator Fine said. “A well-educated workforce means better protection for aging Illinoisans.”

The legislation would implement an annual two-hour training course for Adult Protective Services employees on the identification of people with dementia, risks such as wandering and elder abuse, and best practices for interacting with people with dementia.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) joined cancer survivors, caregivers and advocates at a virtual town hall Wednesday to discuss the need to limit co-pays and other cost-sharing requirements for prescription drugs.

Out-of-pocket health care costs are on the rise, with some Illinoisans unable to access the life-saving treatments and medications recommended by their providers. In 2021 alone, the American Cancer Society predicts that 74,980 Illinoisans will be diagnosed with cancer. Every Illinoisan with cancer—even those with good insurance plans—will face high out-of-pocket costs that make it harder for patients to afford their prescribed medication.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham has introduced a measure to make home services more available and affordable, helping older adults and people with disabilities continue to live in their own homes.

“Older adults should have every opportunity to live in their own homes as long as possible,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “And, people with disabilities deserve to live independently whenever possible.”