Castro announces $4 million for lead service line replacement in Carpentersville

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro announced that the Village of Carpentersville will receive $4 million in funding from the Illinois EPA to replace lead service lines in the community.

“Clean drinking water is a basic human right, and it’s especially important that our children have access to clean water that is lead-free,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Investing in replacing these pipes will keep harmful chemicals out of our water and give Carpentersville families, schools and businesses peace of mind that their water infrastructure is safe, healthy and upgraded.”

Read more: Castro announces $4 million for lead service line replacement in Carpentersville

Koehler law provides coverage for cancer treatment

SPRINGFIELD – To improve patient access to proton therapy, State Senator Dave Koehler led a measure that will provide coverage for cancer treatment using proton beam therapy that was signed into law Friday.

“Cancer patients deserve to have access to every available treatment,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This high-precision radiation therapy treatment helps preserve healthy tissue, which may give folks a better outcome.”

Proton beam therapy is an advanced cancer radiation therapy that uses focused beams to target nearly the exact depth and location of cancerous cells in the body, delivering a higher dose to the tumor and less to the surrounding healthy tissue. Under Koehler’s law, cancer treatment using proton beam therapy will be covered by insurance.

Read more: Koehler law provides coverage for cancer treatment

Joyce-backed measure to promote environmental conservation signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – A comprehensive plan backed by State Senator Patrick Joyce that aims to increase renewable energy procurement and promote environmental conservation was signed into law last Friday.

“By using our existing hydropower infrastructure, we are minimizing the need for additional construction and associated costs,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Right here in the 40^th District, we have two major hydropower dams that will benefit greatly from this new law.”

The new law aims to support hydropower dams across the state, especially the Kankakee Hydropower Dam and the Wilmington Dam located in Joyce’s district. The law will require the Illinois Power Agency to procure a percentage of its renewable energy credits from hydropower dams. This will help increase the use of this renewable energy source, while also promoting environmental conservation by using dams that already exist.

“The state’s energy goals can be achieved through this measure, while discouraging the construction of new dams by taking away incentives for these projects,” said Joyce. “There’s no need for new dams, when we already have the available resources. This highlights the importance of using our current resources wisely.”

Senate Bill 1474 was signed and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Ventura plan to support hydropower signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura spearheaded a new law that will incentivize the use of renewable hydropower electricity across the state.

“Lifting the limits on these essential hydropower plants will increase jobs, support the green energy economy and make Illinois self-sustainable,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This will clearly address the ongoing energy problem across the state with real solutions and move Illinois closer to reaching our renewable energy goals.”

Illinois is currently ranked 46^th in the nation when it comes to hydropower. With Senate Bill 1474 becoming law, Ventura hopes to advance Illinois’ renewable energy sector.

Read more: Ventura plan to support hydropower signed into law