Van Pelt announces grant opportunities for COVID-19 health equity strategies

SPRINGFIELD – Up to $3.7 million in grants are available for communities outside of Cook County to address and implement COVID-19 health equity strategies, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt, who chairs the Senate Healthcare Access and Availability committee, is encouraging state organizations to apply.

“COVID-19 has impacted communities across the state in very different ways,” said Van Pelt (D-Chicago). “Classism, racism, and other societal barriers didn’t leave with the pandemic. We must ensure that everyone is recovering from the pandemic equally.”

Activating Relationships in Illinois for Systemic Equity (ARISE) is a joint initiative of the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Center for Minority Health Services and The Center for Rural Health, in collaboration with Well-Being and Equity (WE) in the World.

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Harris announces $20 million upgrade to 147th Street Metra Station

HARVEY – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III announced a $20 million investment will be coming to Harvey to replace the platforms and add an elevator to the 147th Street Metra Station to make it more accessible to people with disabilities. 

“After years of disinvestment, the 147th Street Metra Station in Harvey will see a $20 million investment to make it more accessible to the community,” Harris said. “This upgrade is vital as it will assist with developing the social, economic, and environmental territory around this Harvey Metra location.”

Read more: Harris announces $20 million upgrade to 147th Street Metra Station

Lake County Senators secure more than $5 million for improvements to the North Shore Water Reclamation District

LAKE COUNTY, Ill.  – State Senators Adriane Johnson, Julie Morrison and Melinda Bush are thrilled to announce the North Shore Water Reclamation District is set to receive more than $5 million in water infrastructure funding.

“With this investment, the North Shore Water Reclamation District can take significant strides to update infrastructure, protect the environment and improve water quality for our residents,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “I’m pleased to see this program benefit our community’s safety.” 

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Hunter welcomes new St. Laurence Arts Incubator project

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter is excited to welcome the St. Laurence Arts Incubator project in Grand Crossing, a $1.7 million initiative to open doors for Chicago’s artists of color.

The St. Laurence Arts Incubator is the newest and largest project to date from the Rebuild Foundation, which has worked to preserve cultural sites like the Stony Island Arts Bank, the Retreat at Currency Exchange Café, Kenwood Gardens, and the Dorchester Art + Housing Collaborative. 

“The work that artists do is impactful, and I am glad the city has invested in this new opportunity to support them,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “In particular, this incubator uplifts Black and Brown artists and entrepreneurs, and will be located right here in the Southside.”

Read more: Hunter welcomes new St. Laurence Arts Incubator project