PEORIA – Thanks to State Senator Dave Koehler’s support of the Illinois Grocery Initiative, a Peoria supermarket and 10 other stores across the state have received $8 million in combined funding to fight food insecurity.

“It has been difficult to fill the void of grocery stores that have been in our neighborhood for years and have suddenly closed—leaving people without a routine source for their essential food and goods,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This grant program will revitalize our community by making high-quality groceries more easily accessible.”

The New Stores in Food Deserts Program supports the establishment of new grocery stores in USDA-defined food deserts. These grants will fund construction and renovation costs for new stores, as well as many first-year operations costs, such as employee wages, utility costs, initial inventory of food and more.

Harvest Supermarket, based out of Peoria, was awarded $1,666,472 from the program for a full building renovation and new energy-efficient equipment. Supermarkets in Chicago, Rockford, and Carlinville also received funds from this program.

Holmes celebrates new CyrusOne data center in Aurora

AURORA — Alongside Governor JB Pritzker, the CyrusOne team and other local elected officials, State Senator Linda Holmes celebrated the groundbreaking of the new CyrusOne data center in Aurora last week.

“CyrusOne is a global leader in data center development and has once again chosen Aurora to be its home for this expansion project,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “This new data center brings critical investments to our community, including hundreds of new jobs and millions in tax contributions over time."

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Feigenholtz honored with LGBTQ+ bar association award

CHICAGO — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz was recognized with the Advocate Award at LAGBAC’s Lawyers for Diversity celebration for her decades-long work in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“The privilege I have of working alongside the LGBTQIA+ legal community cannot be understated,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Standing alongside the passionate, sharp minds of the legal community and the street fighters and activists who got us here has been nothing short of breathtaking.”

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New grocery stores coming to Illinois food deserts thanks to Belt's grocery initiative

PEORIA — The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced 11 awards totaling $7.9 million through the Illinois Grocery Initiative New Stores and Equipment Upgrades Grant Programs to address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in Illinois.

“Ensuring all communities have access to fresh, quality food is not just a priority – it’s a necessity,” said State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea). “This funding through the Illinois Grocery Initiative is a major step toward eliminating food deserts in the state so every family, regardless of where they live, has reliable access to healthy food.”

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Illinois State Beach Park Shoreline Stabilization Project is a major success

ZION — State Senator Mary Edly-Allen alongside Governor JB Pritzker and elected local officials across the Lake County area came together last week to celebrate the milestone of the Illinois State Beach Park Shoreline Stabilization project’s completion with a ribbon cutting.

“This project was urgently needed and Illinois now stands as a leader in responsible shoreline stabilization,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This intervention was necessary to protect the last remaining natural shoreline in the state. I want to thank the governor and the General Assembly for this waterfront project that will help Lake County’s shoreline, native species, residents and visitors.”

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Senator Dave Koehler, Peoria: 'New chapter' for South Peoria beginning with government-backed grocery store | Journal Star

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Copyright 2024 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

PEORIA – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced 11 awards totaling $7.9 million through the Illinois Grocery Initiative New Stores and Equipment Upgrades Grant Programs to address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in Illinois.

“Ensuring all communities have access to fresh, quality food is not just a priority – it’s a necessity,” said State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea). “This funding through the Illinois Grocery Initiative is a major step toward eliminating food deserts in the state so every family, regardless of where they live, has reliable access to healthy food.”

Belt championed the Grocery Initiative Act in 2023 to tackle the increasing number of food deserts in the state. Under this law, DCEO is required to provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to grocery stores located in or to be located in a food desert. 

ZION — State Senator Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) alongside Governor JB Pritzker and elected local officials across the Lake County area came together Monday to celebrate the milestone of the Illinois State Beach Park Shoreline Stabilization project’s completion with a ribbon cutting.

Illinois Beach State Park required immediate intervention to restore the natural lakefront, which was eroding at more than 100 feet per year and putting rare habitat at risk. The $73 million investment by the Rebuild Illinois capital plan allowed for the necessary construction of new offshore stone breakwater structures to shelter the Lake Michigan shoreline from wave energy. The breakwaters assist in retaining the newly-placed sand, preserve the surrounding ecosystems, and enhance public access to the beach.

“This project was urgently needed and Illinois now stands as a leader in responsible shoreline stabilization,” said Edly-Allen. “This intervention was necessary to protect the last remaining natural shoreline in the state. I want to thank the governor and the General Assembly for this waterfront project that will help Lake County’s shoreline, native species, residents and visitors.”

AURORA – Alongside Governor JB Pritzker, the CyrusOne team and other local elected officials, State Senator Linda Holmes celebrated the groundbreaking of the new CyrusOne data center in Aurora on Wednesday.

“CyrusOne is a global leader in data center development and has once again chosen Aurora to be its home for this expansion project,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “This new data center brings critical investments to our community, including hundreds of new jobs and millions in tax contributions over time.”

The new $350 million data center is CyrusOne’s second campus in Aurora. The expansion project includes the creation of two new buildings with a total of 446,000 square feet. The new data center will provide advanced digital infrastructure services to local communities and national networks.

CHICAGO – State Senator Willie Preston joined the Eugene S. Pike House Foundation, Beverly Area Arts Alliance and Commissioner Stanley Moore Saturday to announce significant state funding secured by Preston to save, renovate and reinvigorate the Pike House.

“This investment not only honors the rich history of our community, but also ensures future generations will have the opportunity to connect with and learn from this important landmark,” said Preston. "I am incredibly grateful to have been able to secure this generous funding to preserve our heritage.”

Preston announced he has secured $1.5 million in state funding to save the historic Pike House.

Aquino announces new investments in quantum coming to Humboldt Park

CHICAGO – State Senator Omar Aquino joined state leaders and EeroQ Corporation leadership to announce new investments in the company’s quantum headquarters in Chicago’s Humboldt Park community.

“I’m pleased that EeroQ will continue to grow in Humboldt Park, where their quantum facility expansion will house technology development and world-class workers that could make life-changing discoveries,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “The state of Illinois is making critical investments in the technology of the future with each quantum computing company we support with State-sponsored incentives.”

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Policy priorities and engagement take center stage of 'Raices' conference

CHICAGO – The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus held an impactful "Raices" conference this year, where its Senate members engaged with community members and organizers. The mid-September event featured roundtable discussions that fostered dialogue around policies and priorities, allowing attendees to share their ideas and concerns.

This collaborative environment not only facilitated networking but also aimed to shape the 2025 Raices policy priorities, ensuring that community voices are heard and represented in legislative efforts.

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Lightford among top notable Black leaders in Illinois

CHICAGO – From executives to advocates, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford found herself as the only state elected official to be honored as one of Crain’s 100 notable Black leaders.

“I am honored to be recognized by Crain's Chicago Business as one of the city's notable Black leaders. As Senate Majority Leader, I have focused on advancing policies that create more opportunities and address longstanding inequities for the Black community in Illinois,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “There is still much work to be done, but I am committed to driving meaningful change and making a positive impact on the lives of all Illinoisans.”

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In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senators Michael E. Hastings, Frankfort, and Bill Cunningham, Chicago: $1.5 million state grant to boost nursing program at Moraine Valley in Tinley Park | Yahoo! News

Senator Mattie Hunter, Chicago: A mental health clinic is now open inside this Bronzeville hospital | Block Club Chicago

Senator Adriane Johnson, Buffalo Grove: Ymer Technology invests $5.7M into new headquarters In Buffalo Grove | Patch

Copyright 2024 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In conversation with legislators from across the country, State Senator Mike Simmons was proud to attend the White House States Convening on Child Care on Friday morning, where he highlighted his passage of Illinois’ first permanent child tax credit, advocated for more accessible child care, and discussed the importance of fair compensation for child care workers. 

“I am honored to have been invited back by the Biden-Harris Administration to participate in the White House Convening on Child Care on Friday morning. I was especially proud to share that since last year’s convening, I and my colleagues have passed the first permanent child tax credit in Illinois, legislation that was directly informed by 7th District single moms who participate in my People’s Legislative Council initiative,” said Simmons (D-Chicago).