Villivalam bill provides access of Early Childhood Construction Grants to Community-Based Not-For-Profits

SPRINGFIELD – To provide additional access to Illinois' Early Childhood Construction Grant program, State Senator Ram Villivalam passed legislation out of the Senate Education Committee that would make community-based not-for-profits eligible for $40 million in grant funds.

“Early childhood organizations provide necessary assistance to families across Illinois who are struggling to access child care resources,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “With this legislation, we are able to provide opportunities for nonprofit organizations in our community to be eligible for grants that would significantly assist them with providing better learning environments for our youth.”

This new legislation, Senate Bill 2675, would remove a provision specifying that grants made in fiscal year 2024 could be awarded only to public school districts.

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Simmons raising awareness among Black communities on Black HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons stood with the Black Leadership Advocacy Coalition for Healthcare Equity today for Black HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day to celebrate the accomplishments in HIV prevention and care and to recognize the work still needed to overcome structural barriers to testing, prevention and treatment in Black communities.

“We have taken steps to reduce the disproportionate impact of HIV and AIDS on Black communities, but disparities continue to exist,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). "It is crucial that we have conversations about HIV/AIDS to increase education, testing, community involvement and treatment among Black communities.”

Read more: Simmons raising awareness among Black communities on Black HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day

Faraci moves to give veterans and first responders access to mental health services of their choice

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci is leading a measure to give veterans and first responders access to mental health providers of their choice.

“We have to give veterans and first responders proper access to their preferred mental health services,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “Right now, we have police and firefighters who can’t receive mental health services from trained professionals of their choice and we need to change that.”

The legislation is in response to a situation in Champaign where several firefighters were unable to engage the mental health counselor of their choice based on a non-compete clause in the counselor’s contract. When a mental health professional leaves their employment with a provider, often times there is a non-compete clause in their contract, leaving them unable to provide services within a 50-mile radius for two years. In the 52nd District, a non-compete clause would not only prevent a mental health counselor from providing services in Champaign, but it would also stop them from providing services in surrounding communities, including Urbana, Rantoul and Danville. Police, fire and veteran organizations often want to contract mental health professionals that have a shared background or an establishment of trust with the organization, making these non-compete clauses detrimental to mental health care access for first responders and veterans.

Read more: Faraci moves to give veterans and first responders access to mental health services of their choice

Sims works to give youth who commit non-violent crimes resources to get back on track

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is leading efforts to ensure youth who commit non-violent crimes are given a second chance.

“Providing youth with the opportunity to develop positive behaviors should be the foundation of our efforts to prevent further crime and violence,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Too often, young people veer off the path toward healthy adult lives because they aren’t provided the resources they need to stay on track.”

Under Sims’ measure, people under the age of 18 who committed a non-violent crime would be provided a number of resources, including employment opportunities, educational resources, parental mentorship training and more.

Read more: Sims works to give youth who commit non-violent crimes resources to get back on track