CHAMPAIGN – To help fire departments, fire protection districts and township fire departments afford the tools and equipment they need, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is urging eligible applicants to submit an application to the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Small Equipment Grant Program.

“Firefighters and first responders have been on the front lines during this pandemic, and it’s our job to ensure they have the equipment needed to stay safe,” Bennett said. “I encourage departments to take advantage of this grant opportunity so they can purchase new firefighting and ambulance equipment.”

The program awards grants of up to $26,000 for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. OSFM will award a total of $3.3 million to eligible fire departments and ambulance services through the program.

Across the state, many fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services struggle to generate the necessary revenue to purchase small equipment, such as air-packs and portable radios.

Eligible applicants are required to have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for a minimum of two years prior to applying. Due to NFIRS undergoing updates, the OSFM will require departments to be current through June 2020 for this grant period.

Applications must be postmarked no later than Jan. 29, 2021. Additional information including the application can be found on the State Fire Marshal’s website.

MARYVILLE - To ensure local fire departments are prepared to protect residents, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) are highlighting the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Small Equipment Grant Program and encouraging fire departments to apply.

“Local fire departments are the first to respond to life-threatening emergencies, and to continue to do this extremely important job, they need the right equipment,” Belt said. “The Small Equipment Grant Program will offer the support our local fire departments deserve, which is why Sen. Crowe and I are urging them to apply.”   

The Small Equipment Grant Program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 for small firefighting and ambulance equipment. OSFM will award $3.3 million total to eligible fire departments and ambulance services.

“Downstate small fire protection districts often have difficulty funding purchases of personal protective equipment, such as masks, gowns and gloves,” Crowe said. “Especially right now, it’s critical that our firefighters are protected—this grant program can help our fire departments secure these essential items.”

Nearly all of Illinois’ fire departments, fire protection districts and township fire departments are eligible. Additionally, stand-alone, not-for-profit ambulance service providers are eligible to apply.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 29, 2021. For the application and additional information, visit OSFM’s website.

SPRINGFIELD– Kendall Area Transit will receive a $505,494 grant to improve its mass transit system, State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) announced Monday.

Holmes and her Senate colleagues worked to prioritize mass transit systems during negotiations on Rebuild Illinois in the landmark, bipartisan statewide capital construction plan.

“In our growing area, public transit is becoming more and more vital for residents to travel in the district and to the city. Funding opportunities like these help us close the gaps and upgrade facilities and equipment,” Holmes said. These improvements are made possible by the multi-year state transportation plan, Rebuild Illinois.

Grant funds will be used for a bus surveillance system, two new paratransit buses, engineering and design for a new bus terminal, and a new digital radio system.

“These improvements will mean better access, security and communications for KAT and those they serve,” Holmes said. “This expansion will make it possible for more riders to get where they need to go, including work and school, as our economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.”

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is encouraging local fire departments to take advantage of the state’s Small Equipment Grant program.

The program provides $3.3 million in funding across the state for firefighting personal protection equipment, infection control items and other small equipment. Organizations can be awarded up to $26,000.

“The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a reminder that our first responders and firefighters continuously put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe and healthy,” Cullerton said. “This grant program serves as a resource to assist in ensuring they have the vital tools and resources to do their jobs effectively.”

EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation will host a series of free virtual workshops called the Building Blocks of Success, and State Senator Christopher Belt (D- Centreville) is encouraging businesses who want to participate in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program to take advantage of the free opportunity.

“These workshops will be a great opportunity for businesses to choose what new skills they gain by targeting skills to meet the needs of their operation for now and in the future,” Belt said. “If you are small business owner, please do not miss out on the opportunity to become DBE certified.”

COVID-19 surge cancels veto session

SPRINGFIELD — As cases of COVID-19 surge at record high rates, the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session has been cancelled to keep legislators, staff and the community safe and healthy.

“The front page in the Nov. 10 Springfield paper warns of a COVID ‘tsunami’ sweeping the region and its health care system. This is not the time to physically bring together hundreds of people from all around the state,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “Given what’s happening, it was an obvious decision. It’s not safe or responsible to have a legislative session under these circumstances.”

Read more.

Martwick honors Veterans Day at opening of Chicago Veterans' Home

CHICAGO — In honor of Veterans Day, State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) celebrated the opening of the new Chicago Veterans’ Home along with the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Illinois Capital Development Board. The home is the first state veterans’ retirement facility to open in 20 years and the first to serve the Chicagoland area.

“It is my honor to announce the opening of the Chicago Veterans’ Home and see the hard work of so many that has turned into reality,” Martwick said. “Veterans are our heroes. They have made the sacrifice to protect this country for our freedoms, and that’s why they deserve our appreciation through safe and affordable housing.“

Read more.

Black Caucus Committee Roundup for week of Nov. 9

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus wrapped up more than two months of committee hearings in an effort to provide legislators with a look at lingering problems that Black Illinoisans face and identifying a path forward to eliminating systemic racism.

The hearings began after the caucus outlined its four-pillar legislative agenda in early September to identify measures that will put Illinois on a course for racial and economic equity.

Read more.

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CHICAGO—Kankakee County will receive $82,000 to improve its mass transit system, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) announced Monday.

Sims is a member of the Appropriations I and II committees, and he is also one of the lead budget negotiators who sought funds to advance mass transit in rural communities.

“When many think of mass transit, they often think of urban areas, but it is actually a crucial resource for those living in rural areas,” Sims said. “Public transportation can be the difference in whether someone can make it to an important doctor’s appointment or provide nutritious meals for their families. I look forward to seeing how this investment helps improve the lives of people throughout Kankakee County.”

The Rebuild Illinois capital program will award $112 million to 31 downstate transportation systems. These grants are meant to help expand and improve services, provide more transit options and help improve the overall quality of life for residents.

Kankakee County’s grant will fund the replacement of a 14-passenger paratransit vehicle, which will be used as part of rural public transportation in Kankakee County.

It will also pay for the replacement of mobile radios in the county’s fleet. This will help ensure the safest and most efficient use of services in rural communities.

You can see the full list of local providers and awards here: https://idot.click/rbi-capital-plan-transit-grants

CHICAGO – State Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago) is encouraging parents who might need a little extra help preparing their young children for school to enroll in the Illinois State Board of Education’s new educational text program.

“Oftentimes, we can get so wrapped up in our day that we could forget to do something as small as asking our kids how their day went,” Jones said. “However, providing parents with a reminder via text and prompts to engage with their children is a useful tool in encouraging parents and children to prioritize those conversations.” 

The Chat2Learn Program — spearheaded by ISBE and the Behavioral Insights and Parenting — will engage up to 50,000 parents and caregivers of preschool-aged children in Illinois Preschool For All and Preschool For All Expansion programs. Program administrators are encouraged to sign parents up on their behalf. However, parent-enrollment will open at a later date.

Through conversation prompts given to parents through the program, future students will build literacy, mathematics, and social-emotional skills for kindergarten readiness. The messages are based on research evidence collected by the BIP Lab.

An example message is: "Part of being a parent is getting to know your child better every day. Ask your child, 'If you had a day to do whatever you wanted, what would you do?'"

Text messages begin on Dec. 6 and continue through June 30, 2021.

For more information, visit https://biplab.uchicago.edu/