Crowe highlights $21 million to improve local transit, America’s Central Port District

MARYVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation released $108 million in Rebuild Illinois funding to improve local transit, and with the strong support from State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon), America’s Central Port District in Granite City is among the selected recipients.

“As one of the largest freight hubs in the Midwest, America's Central Port District is a key economic driver in Southwest Illinois,” Crowe said. “By funding port projects through the Rebuild Illinois program, the state is investing in transportation infrastructure improvements while creating sustainable jobs for Metro East residents.”

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Fine, Villivalam disturbed by antisemitic vandalism

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the West Rogers Park Jewish community suffered a series of targeted attacks over the weekend:

“This kind of hate is appalling and unacceptable anywhere, let alone in our own backyard.

“Illinois must live up to its commitment of being a welcoming state and prioritize protecting our most targeted neighbors. With hate crimes reaching the highest point in over a decade, Jewish and other diverse communities are in need of safe spaces to come together.

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Loughran Cappel works to declare February Career and Tech Education month

SPRINGFIELD – February 2022 may soon be Career and Technical Education Month in Illinois, thanks to State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood).

“Career and technical education is another tool to give our children real-world skills to excel in their future careers,” Loughran Cappel said. “CTE connects and creates a pathway for Illinois students to be prepared for the jobs of the future.”

Approximately 12.5 million high school and college students are enrolled in CTE courses across the country. Advance CTE reports that the high school graduation rate for CTE concentrators is about 90%– 15 percentage points higher than the national average.

Loughran Cappel’s district is served by the Wilco Area Career Center, which works with area students to develop skill sets that provide a pathway to college and career readiness.

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Harris combats teacher shortage by extending retired teachers’ classroom days

SPRINGFIELD - As the ongoing teacher shortage persists, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III is leading a measure to allow retired teachers to return to the classroom for a longer period of time.

“The ongoing teacher shortage is affecting our children but allowing retired teachers to bring their expertise back to the classroom for longer would help students thrive,” Harris said. 

Senate Bill 3201 allows retired teachers to return to the classroom for 150 days or 750 paid hours. Currently, retired teachers are only allowed back in the classroom 120 days per year.  

Read more: Harris combats teacher shortage by extending retired teachers’ classroom days