SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced that the newly released Illinois Department of Transportation five-year Highway Improvement Program includes a major investment in Illinois Route 159 in Bunker Hill.

The Highway Improvement Program released by Governor JB Pritzker and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Monday includes $3 million for repaving of IL-159 and the new construction of curbing and storm sewers along the state route from North Street to Alton Street within Bunker Hill.

“Like many in my hometown, I recognize that the drainage issues and unsightly ditches along Washington Street in Bunker Hill need to be addressed. It’s long overdue and I’m pleased that IDOT will finally take this much needed step to invest in our community,” Manar said. “I deeply appreciate the advocacy of Mayor Betty Phelps and the city council to help get this done.”

The project in Bunker Hill is one of 110 separate projects in the Senate district Manar represents, totaling approximately $357 million. These projects include major bridge repairs and the resurfacing of 250 miles of state roads.

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Senate’s special committee on Opioid Crisis Abatement held their first meeting under the leadership of State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“There is a tremendous need for new ideas and research to combat Illinois’ opioid crisis,” Crowe said. “This committee’s goal is to produce real, comprehensive solutions.”

Jennifer Epstein, Director of Opioid Initiatives with the Department of Public Health, testified to the committee, giving feedback and status updates on the implementation of the State of Illinois’ Opioid Action Plan (SOAP) 2018 report.

CHICAGO – Local residents can lend a hand to soldiers overseas by helping them stay in touch with loved ones.

State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) is excited to announce his office’s partnership with Cell Phones For Soldiers, a nonprofit organization which provides free communication services to active duty military personnel and veterans.

“This program helps keep families and loved ones connected when our military men and women often need it the most,” Martwick said. “Join us in helping lend a hand to our brave heroes. Donating used and gently used cellphones is a small way for us to show our support for our men and women overseas.”

Martwick has designated his office at 6315 N. Milwaukee Ave., Suite 101 in Chicago as a permanent drop off location for residents.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker joined State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation and other state leaders Monday afternoon to unveil IDOT’s Multi-Year Improvement Program to improve road and bridge projects across the state. The Multi-Year Plan is the highlight of Governor Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois Program and marks a historic investment in Illinois infrastructure.

The capital infrastructure plan, which will invest $23.5 billion in improving and expanding roads and bridges, is more than double the size of the previous year’s Multi-Year Plan. Projects outlined in the plan will cover 4,212 miles of roadway and 9.2 million square feet of bridge deck statewide over the next six years.

“All together, these road and bridge projects will create and support hundreds of thousands of jobs over the next five years for hardworking Illinoisans in every part of our state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois has some of the most important roads in America – let’s make them outlast and outperform those across the nation.”

SKOKIE – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) hosted a fireside chat with a panel of activists that included Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mandali Buddha Prasad, former Deputy Speaker of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, and David Grengan, President of the Pietermaritzburg Gandhi Committee RSA, also sat on the panel. Villivalam and the panelists discussed Gandhi’s civil rights work, his commitment to nonviolent resistance and his dedication to bridging racial and religious divides.

SPRINGFIELD – Oftentimes following a mass shooting, friends, family members or neighbors mention they were worried about the person’s threatening behavior but didn’t know where to turn.

“Time and time again, we hear family members say they were worried that someone close to them would harm others, but they didn’t know who to tell until it was too late,” said State Senator Julie Morrison. “Previously, if a person did report disturbing behavior, there was not a law in place to allow law enforcement to step in.”

The far too common occurrence led the Deerfield Democrat to pass the Firearms Restraining Order Act – also known as the “Red Flag” law.

PEKIN – Peoria area residents were able to clear their homes of broken and outdated electronics in a safe, environmentally friendly manner thanks to an electronics recycling event hosted by State Senator Dave Koehler.

The event took place at Area Recycling in Pekin with the help of Kuusakoski Recycling, an e-waste recycler with corporate offices in Plainfield.

“The partnership between my office, Area Recycling, and Kuusakoski has been extraordinary,” Koehler (D-Peoria) said. “It’s my sincere hope that we will be able to provide this service to area residents, and I’m going to do everything in my power to ensure the continuation of this event.”

JOLIET – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) gathered with fellow state lawmakers and diabetes health advocates in Joliet Friday to urge support for a new measure aimed at reducing the skyrocketing cost of insulin.

“Absurd insulin costs are making it nearly impossible for some individuals to afford the life-saving medication they need,” Manar said. “It’s time we take a stand on this issue and finally bring some relief for people who are being forced to pay exorbitant prices just to stay alive.”

Senate Bill 667, introduced by Manar in May, would cap out of pocket insulin expenses at $100 for a 30-day supply.

Manar was joined by State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood), State Sen. Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) and State Rep. John Connor (D-Lockport) to push for the legislation’s passage and hear from individuals who have been directly impacted by rising insulin costs.

According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 30 million Americans have diabetes, 7.4 million of which require prescription insulin every day to survive. However, the increasing costs associated with the medication have led many patients to ration their supply or seek care outside of the country.