CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt  issued the following statement after filing to retire from the 5^th Senate District seat:

“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve the people of the 5^th Senate District for the last decade. Throughout this time, we have accomplished much change to ensure the voiceless are heard and the underserved receive the help they need.

“I want to thank all who have stood by me over this past year throughout my health challenges. It has been a blessing to serve the people of this great state, but it’s time to pass the torch. I will forever be grateful for the people I’ve encountered, the stories they’ve shared and the work we’ve accomplished together.”

Largest all-electric U.S. plant for medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicle production opens in Illinois

JOLIET—State Senators Rachel Ventura, Meg Loughran Cappel and Laura Ellman celebrated the official opening of Lion Electric’s newest electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Joliet.

The 900,000 square foot facility is the largest all-electric U.S. plant dedicated to medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicle production and builds on years of investment in EV manufacturing and production across the state.

“Lion Electric will bring good paying jobs to Will County,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “As an advocate for our planet, I commend Lion Electric for investing in our future with clean energy and remaining committed to the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act so that Illinois will fast-track towards an only clean energy reliance.”

CHICAGO – Senator Natalie Toro and the Illinois Department of Transportation announced a $58 million investment in road and bridge improvement projects for the 20^th District.

“Our state’s aging infrastructure can cause disruptions for commuters and delays for cyclists or pedestrian travelers if roads are not accessible,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “These investments will ensure our community’s pathways are improved and maintained to make commuting through the district more convenient for our neighbors.” 

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Toro represents will see eight infrastructure projects totaling $58,281,000 over the next six years.

Some of the most vital projects coming to the area include:

• Standard overlay on Milwaukee Avenue from Logan Boulevard to Armitage Avenue
• Bridge preservation along the Kennedy Expressway from the Edens Expressway junction to Hubbard Street
• Sign maintenance and pavement patching along the Kennedy Expressway from the Edens Expressway junction to Hubbard Street

These projects are part of IDOT’s Multi-Year Plan, a $40 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years. The project invests in all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, as well as bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

“Infrastructure is essential to keeping us connected to our community and beyond,” said Toro. “Ensuring it is upgraded and enhanced will make traveling around our neighborhood more efficient and enjoyable.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 20^th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

WILMINGTON – State Senator Patrick Joyce, State Representative Anthony DeLuca and Will County Board member Joe Van Duyne announced over $54 million to improve Route 53 over the next six years. 

“One of the most common things I hear in Wilmington is that Route 53 needs to be fixed,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Fixing Route 53 is very important to communities in this area, as it goes right through downtown and people use it to get to work. I will continue to work to bring tax dollars back to our area.”

Villages and municipalities along Route 53, including Gardner, Braceville, Godley, Braidwood, Wilmington and up to Joliet will see $54 million spent over the next six years for improvements.

“It is high time that we make the proper investment to fix these roads,” said State Representative Anthony DeLuca. “We can accomplish so much when state and local government works together to achieve a solution.” 

Some of the most important projects Route 53 will see over the next six years include:

• $1 million to replace Forked Creek Bridge on Kankakee Street in Wilmington next to DC Marine Service
• $4.4 million for designed overlay and repaving from Gardner to the Will County line in Godley
• $40.5 million for upgrades including intersection improvements, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, channelization, construction engineering and utility adjustments  from West Arsenal Road, at the start of Midewin in Wilmington, to Nowell Park in Joliet
• $1 million for repaving from the Island in Wilmington to Wilmington-Peotone Road

“I have been raising the alarm for years that Route 53 needs to be fixed,” said Will County Board member Joe Van Duyne. “This road is dangerous and these projects will keep our community safe and help our local economy.”

These projects are part of IDOT’s Multi-Year Plan, a $40 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years. The project invests in all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, as well as bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

“I couldn't be happier for Wilmington,” said Wilmington Mayor Ben Dietz. “For years roads have been a pain point and the progress that we are making is fantastic.  We still have plenty of work to do, but this is a huge win for Wilmington!”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 40th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

CHAMPAIGN - Senator Paul Faraci and Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs teamed up to return $47,000 in cash from two forgotten PayPal accounts to a small business owner in Champaign. The two accounts were part of roughly 360,000 unclaimed PayPal accounts the Illinois Treasurer has received in recent years and is safeguarding for as long as it takes to find their rightful owners.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, driving local job creation and ensuring the economic stability of our state,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This story demonstrates the immense value Treasurer Frerichs’ unclaimed property program has for Illinois residents and businesses alike.”

DES PLAINES – Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by State Senator Laura Murphy, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced more than $181.8 million in road and bridge improvement projects for the 28th District.

“Roadwork projects are not only about connecting places, they are about connecting people to opportunities,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “By investing in these projects, we are investing in our workforce, our businesses, and the prosperity of our community.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Murphy represents will see 23 infrastructure projects totaling more than $181 million over the next six years.

Some of the most vital projects coming to the area include:

• The addition of a bikeway in Hanover Park
• Bridge joint replacement and repair on Lake Street at ILL 390
• Bridge replacement, addition of retaining walls and accessibility improvements on Rand Road in Des Plaines

These projects are part of IDOT’s Multi-Year Plan, a $40 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years. The project invests in all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, as well as bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

“Our state’s continued commitment to improving our infrastructure shows our dedication to the safety of everyone who uses our roadways,” Murphy said. “By building better roads and bridges we are also building a stronger, more prosperous future.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 28th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

CHICAGO – State Senators Bill Cunningham and Cristina Castro applauded a new investment of $37.9 million in the Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program to create a network of CEJA Workforce Hubs, a significant step toward rebuilding an equitable and sustainable future.

“The State of Illinois is doing our part to build a clean energy future with a thriving economy,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents a portion of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “We are also doing our part to ensure that we are setting the industry up for success with a diverse and qualified workforce that can get the job done.”

The Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program facilitates access to training and nationally recognized certification in alignment with the Clean Jobs Curriculum Framework to produce qualified candidates for entry-level energy jobs. Career readiness services include an introductory bridge training program and two job-specific training programs in the clean energy field that will be determined by each hub according to local clean energy workforce needs.

Illinois Supreme Court upholds SAFE-T Act

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court ruled last week that the Pretrial Fairness Act provisions of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus-championed SAFE-T Act are constitutional.

“I am extremely proud that our state’s highest court is prioritizing public safety over wealth. This historic decision is the culmination of over a decade of organizing from countless grassroots organizations that deal directly with vulnerable communities in which cash bail has affected, including groups that support survivors of gender-based violence,” said State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

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Simmons advocates for access to child care at the White House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – State Senator Mike Simmons traveled to the White House last week to meet with the Biden-Harris Administration and state leaders from across the country to discuss action that can be taken to increase access to high quality, affordable child care for working families.

“I grew up in a household where I saw firsthand the struggle single moms go through to ensure their kids are cared for while they work and attend school to advance their careers,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “In my people’s legislative council for single moms from my district, our 7th district moms talked openly about how hard it is for them to find good child care that they can afford and rely on. They also talked about the need for paid time off to tend to their children’s needs.”

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Natalie Toro sworn in as next senator of District 20

CHICAGO – Natalie Toro was recently sworn in as the state senator of the 20th District. Senator Toro released the following statement after the ceremony:

“I am honored to serve my community as state senator and represent the neighbors I have known my entire life. I bring to this role more than a decade of experience in another area of public service — education. As a kindergarten teacher at Goethe Elementary School, I have had the privilege of supporting our young people as they grow into the best versions of themselves. I have also had to witness my students struggle with food or housing insecurity, fears for their safety from gun violence, and disparate education outcomes compared to their peers because of disinvestment and unequal resource allocations between schools. I wanted to serve as state senator to fight for policy changes that will address these systemic forces of oppression so that our children can achieve their highest potential and just be kids without these additional factors impacting their ability to learn or grow."

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