OAKBROOK TERRACE – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is encouraging K-12 students to create and submit artwork for the annual art contest sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois State Board of Education. This year’s theme is “Art Surrounds Us.”

“Creating artwork allows students to express themselves, be creative and inspire the people around them,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Parents, teachers and friends: Please encourage your young, talented artists to enter. I look forward to seeing the pieces of art submitted to this statewide contest.”

The contest includes four entry levels: grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. A panel of judges selects a winner and three runners-up in each entry level.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – On Jan. 1, 2021, Illinois will become the second state to cap out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin, and State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is reaffirming her support for working families over pharmaceutical profits.

“Pharmaceutical corporations have profited off the lives of residents with diabetes for too long,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By capping the cost of life-saving insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply, Illinois is standing firmly on the side of hardworking families. Families should not be forced to choose between food or prescriptions.”

Nearly 30 million children and adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Individuals with the lifelong condition of Type 1 diabetes will on average spend $5,705 per year on prescription insulin alone.

The new law also requires the Departments of Insurance, Human Services, and Healthcare and Family Services to issue a joint "insulin pricing report" to the public that details findings on insulin pricing practices and recommendations to control and prevent overpricing of prescription insulin drugs.

The measure, Senate Bill 667, was signed into law in January 2020 and chief sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill).

OAKBROOK TERRACE – Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, Illinois survivors of sexual assault will be able to keep their home addresses confidential, thanks to legislation championed by State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs).

Glowiak Hilton sponsored House Bill 2818, which passed with bipartisan support, to empower the attorney general's office to help keep survivors’ home addresses private from their attackers and stalkers.

OAKBROOK TERRACE– The Elmhurst History Museum and Lombard Historical Society will receive a combined $1 million in grants through the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) announced Wednesday.

“Our museums hold the history of our state and help share that heritage through education and exhibits,” Glowiak Hilton said. “This funding will allow our museums to create new and enlightening experiences for generations of Illinois residents.”

The Elmhurst History Museum will receive $255,300 for an operation upgrade, and the Lombard Historical Society will receive $750,000—the maximum grant award for this round of projects—to expand and improve core operations at its historic Carriage House building. 

Through the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 43 Illinois museums will receive a combined $22.8 million in state capital investments to improve their facilities and develop new exhibits. The program is made possible by the Rebuild Illinois multi-year state capital program.

The Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program is open to any museum operated by local government or located on municipally-owned land. More information on the program is available here.

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OAKBROOK TERRACE – To acknowledge the community contributions provided by labor workers, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 8-14.

“Apprenticeships give trade students a head start on fulfilling, successful careers in the labor industry by providing quality experience and opportunities,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Working families are the foundation of our community, supporting our safety, prosperity and economic development, and I commend their daily contributions, especially during National Apprenticeship Week.”

OAKBROOK TERRACE –To help offset financial losses stemming from the pandemic, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is pleased to learn 12 businesses in the district she represents have received financial assistance from the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program, and she is encouraging more to apply.

“As we work to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases, small business owners and employees are among the hardest hit by mitigation efforts,” Glowiak Hilton said. “These grants will support operating costs, and I encourage any business struggling to keep their doors open to apply as soon as possible.”

In the district Glowiak Hilton represents, 12 businesses received a combined $420,000 in grants. Each business received between $5,000 and $85,000 to be used to help cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic. 

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded the grants this week, as part of the second round of the BIG program. However, applications will remain open until all of the funding is spent. 

“These grants can help offset some costs, but our community must also come together to support our local businesses during this difficult time,” Glowiak Hilton said. “With the holiday season approaching, I urge residents to look locally first when shopping.”

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are available on DCEO’s website. 

For a complete list of awardees, click here.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is urging residents in Cook and DuPage counties to shop small this holiday season to support local businesses that have been struggling throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As residents begin to plan for the holidays, I am reminding shoppers to look locally first,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By patronizing small businesses, we can support our friends and neighbors while investing in our local economies.”

For those who would prefer to shop from home during the pandemic, there are options beyond brick-and-mortar stores. Glowiak Hilton urges residents to support small businesses however they can, including by shopping online, ordering carry out from a locally owned restaurant or buying a gift card for a friend.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – During a virtual event held by the Alzheimer’s Association, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to support residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.

“Many older adults are suffering from isolation and other health complications during the pandemic, and these effects can be even worse for the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By supporting and advocating for residents, families and caregivers affected by the disease, we can improve care and provide additional resources where they are most needed.”