GODFREY - Due to aging infrastructure deeming portions of the historic Main Complex  unsafe for operations, State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) partnered with Lewis and Clark Community College to secure a $37.5 million state grant to fund an extensive renovation project of the five-building complex that dates back to 1890.

“Lewis and Clark Community College provides quality educational opportunities to students throughout the region, and this investment is critical to ensure operations can continue safely,” Crowe said. “As a historic building from the mid-19th Century, the Main Complex is the heart of campus for students, faculty and visitors. Repairs and renovations are much needed.”

The announcement was made Monday at the Lewis and Clark Community College campus in Godfrey. Last August, LCCC officials were forced to close sections of the Main Complex due to safety concerns stemming from failing HVAC systems that created mold issues.

Dr. Ken Trzaska, president of Lewis and Clark Community College, said Lewis and Clark has made numerous updates and repairs to the Main Complex over the last three decades, but due to the age of the facility and the need to integrate modern mechanical and electrical systems, a complete renovation is the only path forward to return the historic complex to full operations.

“This project represents Lewis and Clark’s future while honoring its history,” Trzaska said. “We are thankful to the state’s investment and confidence in our region. Investing in the next generation of students through this critical project is exciting and inspiring for our community and our campus team.”

Trzaska said the college has been working over the past 10 years to secure the funding needed to bring the symbolic complex to current code and modernization.

“We are extremely grateful for the work of our local and state legislators including Senator Crowe, the Illinois Community College Board and our college’s board of trustees for helping us champion this project, ensuring that the college and its students will have a safe and modern space to learn,” he said. 

The $37.5 million grant was appropriated by the state in the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program in 2019. To accelerate the funding process, the LCCC Board of Trustees voted at a special meeting in September to commit $12.5 million in match funding.

“This project represents not only an educational impact for our region, but it also represents an incredible economic impact to the region through the jobs a project of this size will bring to the region,” Trzaska said.

Lawmakers unveil legislative efforts to overcome mental health challenges in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – In response to a deepening mental health crisis across the state, Senate Democrats hosted a press conference in Springfield on Thursday highlighting legislative efforts that would prioritize mental health support for individuals in Illinois.

“Staying mentally well should be given the same priority as keeping physically fit,” State Senator Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) said. “To achieve this, we need to enact policies to maintain good mental health on top of treating mental illness.”

Loughran Cappel spearheaded legislation – Senate Bill 3889 – in the Senate to add a council within the Children’s Mental Health Partnership in Illinois.

Read more.

Bicameral group of lawmakers speak on anti-Semitic hate literature

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the General Assembly stood together in solidarity during a press conference Wednesday to condemn the anti-Semitic literature anonymously distributed recently in the district State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) represents, and to provide members of the community actionable ways they can stand up against antisemitism and hate speech.

“This incident is disturbing and intolerable,” Senator Fine said. “As an individual, and as a Jewish woman, I am disgusted by these displays of hate. However, we will not cower from these threatening messages. Instead, I am asking my colleagues and members of my community to stand up against antisemitism to prevent situations like this, or more dangerous incidents, from ever happening again.”

Read more.

Lawmakers advocate for legislation to expedite professional licenses

SPRINGFIELD – To offer support to workers, a group of pro-business Democratic lawmakers held a press conference Wednesday to advocate for an initiative to require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to expedite complete professional license applications.

“Health care workers, accountants, speech pathologists and a variety of others are eager, qualified and ready to enter their respective industries but are waiting months for professional licenses to be issued by the state,” said State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs), chief Senate sponsor of Senate Bill 670. “Improving convenience, timeliness and accessibility for working people is a necessary step to building our economy and focusing efforts on recovery.”

Under the legislation, IDFPR is required to process applications within four weeks as long as there were no deficiencies submitted.

Read more.

Villivalam: Caregivers deserve a living wage

SPRINGFIELD – With support staff in community living facilities facing high turnover rates and low wages, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) joined advocates to support legislation to increase pay for these frontline workers.

“For too long, the funding meant for essential workers has not reached their wallets,” Villivalam said. “The staff who care for our most vulnerable neighbors deserve a living wage, and I stand with them in calling for better and fairer working conditions.”

Read more.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum and the City of Springfield are set to receive $662,545 and $355,400 respectively to make improvements and create new exhibits, thanks to support from State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield).

“Our city museums provide excellent educational opportunities and give people near and far the chance to learn about our history,” Turner said. “This initiative is making a significant investment to our local museums that will attract more visitors and educate our community for years to come.”

NAPERVILLE – Three local museums are set to receive more than $1.8 million in Public Museum Capital Grants, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) and State Representative Janet Yang Rohr (D-Naperville) announced on Friday.

“Local museums and exhibits provide priceless, hands-on learning opportunities for families in our community,” Ellman said. “I’m pleased to see investment in these invaluable institutions right here in our back yards. These grants will create jobs and preserve our museums for future generations to enjoy.”

MADISON – With the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway, State Senators Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) attended the race’s official name announcement, Enjoy Illinois 300, sponsored by the Illinois Office of Tourism.

“I am proud to represent the great city of Madison and the hardworking community that lives here,” Belt said. “This raceway has made essential investments over the years to become what it is today – a place that brings diversity, revenue and excitement together. The upcoming race will have an enormous economic boost for our community and the Metro East that will uplift local businesses, hotels, restaurants and more.”

BROOKFIELD – The Chicago Zoological Society is set to receive more than $650,000 to replace the roof on the Brookfield Zoo’s Seven Seas exhibit thanks to support from State Senator Steven Landek (D-Bridgeview).

“Brookfield Zoo provides excellent opportunities for education and gives folks near and far the opportunity to learn more about animals and nature,” Landek said.

SPRINGFIELD – To improve career readiness after high school, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) supported a resolution in the Senate urging high school educators and counselors to promote career and technical education.

“When students and families are thinking about a post-high school education, trade schools are not always considered a viable option,” Loughran Cappel said. “It’s vital that we create opportunities for students to learn about additional career opportunities that they can succeed in.”

WEST CHICAGO - Thanks to the support of State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), 57 businesses in the district she represents will receive almost $3 million in combined assistance to grow and restore their services that were hindered by the pandemic.

“Our businesses have worked exceptionally hard to remain open while keeping their employees and the community safe,” said Villa. ”Business owners are still trying to recover their lost resources from the pandemic.”