ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — State Senator Ann Gillespie has been chosen to join the 2023-24 cohort of the Milbank Fellows Program, a 10-month leadership program focused on public policy to improve health outcomes. This year’s class includes 24 legislative and executive branch leaders from around the country whose work demonstrates a commitment to bringing health equity to their communities.

“I am honored to join leaders from across the country who are also committed to improving health care outcomes within our communities,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “As a state senator with a background in health care, I have made it a priority to advance legislation addressing health care issues, including access and affordability. I look forward to using the knowledge and skills I gain from this program to make a difference in the lives of the people I represent.”

Belt secures funding to tackle carjackings in Metro East

EAST ST. LOUIS — State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure a $2.4 million grant for the Metro East Auto Task Force — a move that will prevent carjackings, vehicle theft and break-ins throughout the community.

“The uptick in carjackings is a disturbing trend,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Innocent people are being targeted by this senseless crime across Illinois — and particularly in the Metro East.”

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Toro applauds federal grant supporting women in trades

CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro is celebrating recent news of a $1.3 million federal grant to the Illinois Department of Labor in support of women in the construction industry.

“The skilled trades are a male-dominated industry, with women making up only a small percentage of the workforce — this is especially true for women of color,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This funding will support programs to train the next generation of tradeswomen and set them up for high-paying apprenticeships and careers.”

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Murphy condemns bomb threats against public libraries

DES PLAINES — State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) released the below statement following multiple bomb threats to suburban Chicago libraries:

“Libraries are sanctuaries of learning, growth and togetherness—they are the very heart of our communities. Threats of violence against libraries is an affront to our shared values. I condemn the cowardly attempts to undermine the open exchange of ideas and interrupt these vital institutions."

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DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) released the below statement following multiple bomb threats to suburban Chicago libraries:

“Libraries are sanctuaries of learning, growth and togetherness—they are the very heart of our communities. Threats of violence against libraries is an affront to our shared values. I condemn the cowardly attempts to undermine the open exchange of ideas and interrupt these vital institutions.

“The individuals making these threats want to instill fear in our communities, but we cannot allow this fear to win. Now that these individuals cannot silence ideas by banning books, they use threats of violence to try to achieve their insidious goals. They want us to be as afraid as they are, that is why it is more than ever we need to show our support for our public libraries. We must stand united against hatred and ignorance, and defend the principles that our country was founded on.”

CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro is celebrating Wednesday’s news of a $1.3 million federal grant to the Illinois Department of Labor in support of women in the construction industry.  

“The skilled trades are a male-dominated industry, with women making up only a small percentage of the workforce — this is especially true for women of color,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This funding will support programs to train the next generation of tradeswomen and set them up for high-paying apprenticeships and careers.”

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $1.3 million to IDOL and Chicago Women in Trades to support the creation of equity plans and increase women’s inclusion in construction industry jobs. The grant is funded through the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in 2021.

With this grant, Chicago Women in Trades will provide guidance on program design and best practices to construction companies, unions, public bodies and other stakeholders in order to promote workforce equity on infrastructure projects.

“Chicago Women in Trades has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting equitable access for women in construction and other industries,” said Toro. “I look forward to seeing more women from all backgrounds succeed in these jobs that were once out of reach.”

CHICAGO – In support of tradeswomen-led efforts to train and support the entry of more women into infrastructure and construction jobs, State Senator Willie Preston commends a $1.35 million federal investment to the Illinois Department of Labor to fund the undertaking.

“As a small business owner of a construction firm, I am excited to see an industry diversified that typically lacks opportunities for women,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “This federal grant is a huge win for Illinois in dismantling systemic barriers for women and creates equitable pathways for communities that have historically left behind.”

A $1.3 million federal grant to the Illinois Department of Labor will help bring more women into the construction industry, where they make up barely 4% of the workforce nationwide. The funding to the Illinois Department of Labor will allow Chicago Women in Trades to provide specific guidance on program design and best practices to construction companies, unions, public bodies, and other stakeholders to promote workforce equity on infrastructure projects. The funding seeks to promote gender equity and inclusion in the male-dominated field through established equity goals while prioritizing local federally financed infrastructure projects and empowering more women to join their local workforce.

EAST ST. LOUIS — State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure a $2.4 million grant for the Metro East Auto Task Force — a move that will prevent carjackings, vehicle theft and break-ins throughout the community.

“The uptick in carjackings is a disturbing trend,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Innocent people are being targeted by this senseless crime across Illinois — and particularly in the Metro East.”

With carjackings on the rise, Belt stood alongside Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to announce a $2.4 million grant for the Metro East Auto Task Force. The group is a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies to investigate and prevent auto thefts, carjacking and other related crimes.

New law will give more students access to Illinois universities

SPRINGFIELD – A new law spearheaded by State Senator Mike Halpin marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program.

“This will make it easier for students who live in Illinois to go to college in Illinois,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “We all want to keep more students in-state for college, and this new law will actually do something to help.”

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Belt initiative to ensure fair compensation for teachers signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt led a new law that will ensure fair compensation for teachers and protect school boards from undue financial burdens.

“Our state’s educators deserve a fair salary that keeps pace with the rising cost of living,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This shows that we care about all teachers in the state who are educating our future leaders.”

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Aquino law removes barriers to licensing for international health care professionals

SPRINGFIELD - Legislation sponsored by State Senator Omar Aquino expanding licensing opportunities and procedures for internationally trained and licensed health care professionals was signed into law.

“The demand for qualified health care professionals in our state will continue to grow in the coming years,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “This law creates a licensing liaison to serve as a resource for international applicants and streamline the process so we can continue to grow our health care workforce.”

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SPRINGFIELD – A new law championed by State Senator Christopher Belt will tackle the increasing number of food deserts in Illinois.
“Everyone should be close to fresh and affordable food,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This new Grocery Initiative Act will provide crucial support to grocery stores in areas where they are needed most.”

Under the new law, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will be required to provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to grocery stores located in or to be located in a food desert. This aims to help mitigate the issue of food deserts across the state. An area is considered a food desert when urban residents have to travel more than a half-mile and rural residents more than 10 miles to get to the nearest grocery store.

“When communities lack grocery stores, it can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of residents,” said Belt. “With this new initiative, we are heading in the right direction to ensure everyone has easy access to healthy food.”

Senate Bill 850 was signed Friday.