SPRINGFIELD – Following the governor’s budget address Wednesday, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) issued the following statement:

“Appropriating higher funding for public education, local governments and public safety initiatives offers relief for many of the burdens exacerbated by the pandemic. Fiscal responsibility is key, and I look forward to negotiations.”

OAKBROOK TERRACE – To improve convenience and accessibility for working people, state licenses from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation would be issued in four weeks under an initiative by State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs).

“Health care workers, accountants and cosmetologists are ready to enter their respective industries but are unable to get started without a professional license from the state,” Glowiak Hilton said. “With this initiative, I hope to expedite the time it takes IDFPR to process applications and allow residents to enter the work force sooner.”

As chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, Glowiak Hilton prioritizes legislation to benefit workers and support economic development throughout the state. Under the legislation, IDFPR will be required to process applications within four weeks as long as there were no deficiencies submitted.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – Seven additional small businesses in the 24th Senate District were awarded $350,000 in combined funding from the Back to Business grant program to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the support of State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs).

“By offering support to some of our state’s hardest hit industries - including dining, hospitality, salons, fitness and the arts - we are lending a hand to a diverse, inclusive group of small business owners,” Glowiak Hilton said. “These grants will allow many DuPage County businesses retain employees, cover operating expenses and serve patrons effectively as our economy recovers from financial strains.”

The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget. So far – thanks to strong support from Sen. Glowiak Hilton – DCEO has provided $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – To give consumers options in contracts set to automatically renew, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) introduced a measure to require companies to give a clear notification of the agreement’s terms before the consumer accepts.

“Automatic renewal contracts have become increasingly popular in recent years due to streaming services, retail, cell phone companies and more,” said Glowiak Hilton, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. “To ensure consumers are aware of the automatic renewal commitment, this initiative requires companies to reiterate the contract before consumers accept its terms.”

OAKBROOK TERRACE – With snow flurries starting to appear in the forecast, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is reminding commuters and residents with travel plans of the winter road conditions map on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Getting Around Illinois website.

“Winter weather can impact road conditions quickly, and getting reliable information to travelers is essential to prevent vehicles from sliding and crashing on the roadways,” Glowiak Hilton said. “I encourage residents and commuters to check the Getting Around Illinois website when snow and freezing temperatures are predicted in the forecast.”

Previously, the map displayed conditions by county. New this year, the map shows how weather events are impacting roads, including the ability to identify and zoom in to a location, travel route or destination with current information recorded by plow drivers.

Individuals can interact with the map to understand how weather events are affecting roads across the state. The winter road conditions map is available on IDOT’s website.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – First-year students applying to any of Illinois’ public universities will now only need to submit one form on Common App, and State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) applauded the step to increase accessibility to higher education opportunities.

“Applying to college can be tedious and expensive,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By using Common App, Illinois is simplifying the process and working to ensure individuals have access to higher education opportunities.”

This fall, all 12 public universities in Illinois will be available on the Common App platform, thanks to a $1 million state investment.

For families concerned about the cost of submitting college applications, waivers are available for low-income students. In addition, some colleges and universities either have no application fees or will waive fees if needed.

“Many applicants and their families are hesitant to start the college journey because of the associated costs,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Luckily, there are several aid options available to help reduce the financial burdens associated with applying for college.”

Residents are encouraged to visit the Common App website for informational resources, including a first-year application guide, videos and a complete list of institutions that use the application.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – To recognize the efforts of small businesses, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is highlighting recipients of Back to Business grants and encouraging residents to shop local as the holiday season approaches.

“To receive operating assistance from the state, nine locally-owned businesses were able to demonstrate financial loss from the pandemic,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By offering support to small businesses, Illinois is working to strengthen our communities.”

Awarded a combined $550,000, B2B grant recipients in the 24th Senate District include:

• Davanti Enoteca in Western Springs;
• Gia Mia in Elmhurst;
• Subway in Westmont;
• Maize + Mash in Glen Ellyn;
• CluedIn Escape Rooms in Glen Ellyn;
• Budget Inn and Suites in Glen Ellyn;
• Holiday Inn Express in Downers Grove;
• Jumpcut Pictures in Glen Ellyn; and
• Subway in Lombard.

The B2B program allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses hurt financially by the pandemic. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000 and could be used to cover a wide range of operations, such as staff and overhead costs.

“Shopping local can make a difference in our communities this holiday season,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Buying gift cards, recommending a local service or simply interacting on social media can offer support to our small business community.”

A full list of B2B grant awardees can be found on DCEO’s website.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – Patrons of nine libraries in the 24th Senate District will soon see upgrades to services thanks to more than $316,000 in grants, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) announced Wednesday.

“Libraries provide a safe space for residents to use a computer, check out a book or learn a new skill,” Glowiak Hilton said. “People rely on technology for work, school and everyday life—when they can’t access these resources at home, libraries can fill the gaps.”

The $316,086.62 received by nine local libraries is part of $18.1 million in grants awarded to 638 public libraries across the state. For more than 40 years, the Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Program has helped public libraries with a low library tax base to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

Libraries will use the grants from the secretary of state’s office to help fund new services and products, such as audiobooks, adult programming, dual language materials and more.  

“State funding helps libraries continue to provide much-needed resources to the community,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Students, seniors and families will reap the benefits of these grants at their local libraries.”

The following libraries in the district Glowiak Hilton represents will receive funds:

• Clarendon Hills Public Library, $12,496.20
• Elmhurst Public Library, $65,078.48
• Glen Ellyn Public Library, $40,488.75
• Helen M. Plum Memorial Public Library District in Lombard, $64,000.25
• Hinsdale Public Library, $24,803.60
• Lisle Library District, $42,043.40
• Oak Brook Public Library, $11,627.43
• Thomas Ford Memorial Library in Western Springs, $19,138.13
• Westmont Public Library, $36,410.38

For more information on the grants, residents can visit the secretary of state’s website.