WEST CHICAGO – In an effort to diversify local educators, the Illinois State Board of Education has awarded multiple Career and Technical Education Education Career Pathways Grants to schools in the district State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) represents.

“As a former school social worker, I know firsthand the importance of a diverse workforce in our schools,” Villa said. “Investing in our students’ education is the first step in investing in our society, and I’m thrilled to see South Elgin High School receive an important grant to fund Career and Technical Education development.” 

The CTE Education Career Pathways Grants were awarded to 62 schools and vocational centers across the state, totaling more than $1.5 million. Among those schools are Batavia High School, Metea Valley High School, South Elgin High School, West Aurora High School and Yorkville High School. Currently, only 18% of teachers identify as people of color, but ISBE’s CTE Education Career Pathways Grants will help increase the diversity of the CTE teaching profession in Illinois. 

Applicants to the CTE Education Pathways Grant program submitted an implementation plan outlining how they would recruit underrepresented students into education careers. The grant also requires a partnership between grantees and institutions of higher education to ensure students can earn dual credit or other certifications while in high school.

“Our schools now have the funding to focus on recruiting and supporting future educators in the Career and Technical Education field, while ensuring they are well equipped to succeed in the classroom,” Villa said. “It’s important for students to have teachers and mentors who look like them and who can help prepare them for future job and education opportunities.”

A full list of the grant recipients is available on the ISBE website.

WEST CHICAGO – More than 2,000 Illinoisans received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Monday at an event hosted by Wheaton Bible Church, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) and a variety of community partners. 

“Our West Chicago neighbors are some of those hardest hit by the devastating effects of this pandemic,” Villa said. “I have been working tirelessly alongside local organizations and community leaders to advocate for more vaccines for our community.”

The vaccination event was an effort by Wheaton Bible Church, Jewel-Osco, Senator Villa, State Representative Maura Hirschauer (D-West Chicago), Wayne Township, Puente Del Pueblo, People Made Visible, School District 33, School District 94, Casa Michoacan, People’s Resource Center, Pediatric Health Center, St. Andrew’s Church, and WeGo Together for Kids.

The event partners worked to register community members without internet access and older adults who would not usually be able to register for vaccination clinics.

“There’s no better feeling than seeing our COVID-19 vaccination rates increase while positivity rates decrease,” Villa said. “As vaccine eligibility expands in the coming weeks, we must check on our family, friends and neighbors to ensure nobody is hesitating to get in line for the vaccine when it’s their turn.”

Residents who received the vaccine Monday will be able to get their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from Jewel-Osco at the next community vaccination event on April 12.

WEST CHICAGO – To combat the spread of COVID-19 in vulnerable communities, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) announced over 2,000 West Chicago residents and employees will get vaccinated this Friday, Feb. 12. This achievement is a collaborative community effort with State Representative Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia), the West Chicago Jewel Osco, Superintendents Moses Cheng and Kristina Davis-Salazar, and other local elected officials. 

“The vaccine is our best defense against the spread of COVID-19, and every Illinois resident must have to that protection,” Villa said. “With such a short expiration date on the vaccine, we have to think fast to make sure not a single dose is wasted.”