URBANA – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and his staff will be at the Urbana Free Library, located at 210 W. Green Street, on Thursday, March 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for remote office hours.

“I’m glad to offer remote office hours to the residents of Urbana,” Bennett said. “My staff and I can offer a variety of services, answer your questions, connect you with state resources and much more.”

These office hours serve as an opportunity for residents to speak directly with Bennett’s staff to receive help with casework and other issues at the state level, as well as provide informational resources.

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is pleased to see multiple opportunities for improvement projects slated for municipalities in the district she represents, including funding for wastewater system updates and the replacement of lead service lines.

“Making sure our communities have proper access to safe water systems is always a priority,” Castro said. “Elgin, Hanover Park and Bartlett will all be getting the help they need to address critical infrastructure improvements to keep residents safe and healthy.”

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $65.6 million in low-interest loans to local governments and sanitary districts to fund wastewater, stormwater and drinking water projects. In the 22^nd district, the Village of Bartlett is receiving $37 million to update the wastewater treatment plant on Stearns Road, including the installation of a new control system and updating outdated components of the plant.

BELLEVILLE – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) accepted an award for his sustained support and meritorious service to Illinois fire services from the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Foundation on Wednesday.

“Firefighters risk their lives every day,” Belt said. “I’m honored to receive this award and I will continue to support measures that benefit all Illinois firefighters.”

The award comes in response to Belt’s support of legislation that would assist fire protection agencies and statewide associations, like Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, in pursuing donations designed to build a stronger and more sustainable fire, EMS and special team statewide intergovernmental cooperative system serving all municipalities during crisis and disaster level events. 

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) passed legislation last week to help the Kendall County Courthouse grow to serve the demand for additional facilities and more timely resolution of court cases.

Senate Bill 3737 would allow the county to finish space that was built but never completed, and to house additional judicial staff hired to support the increasing needs for court services in the growing county.

“Kendall County was the fastest growing county in the U.S. from 2000 to 2010, and the fastest growing county in Illinois from 2010 to 2020, having grown its population by 141% since 2000,” Holmes said. “Population growth means the courthouse needs expanding to meet the county’s legal proceedings, and I’m happy to help make this happen.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement after President Joe Biden called for nursing home reform in his State of the Union address on Tuesday:

“President Biden noted tonight that too many nursing homes continue to provide an unacceptably low quality of care, despite receiving billions of state and federal dollars. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an already troubling situation and showed how at risk nursing home residents are when quality and staffing levels fall.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Doris Turner (D- Springfield) is encouraging teens who currently or previously were under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to apply for the 2022 DCFS Scholarship Program.

“This scholarship program provides a life changing opportunity to our most disadvantaged youth,” said Turner. “With the necessary tools being provided, students are able to take control of their destiny without the burden of student loans weighing them down.”

Former and current DCFS youth who are between the ages of 16 and 21 are eligible to apply. Applicants must submit a personal statement along with three letters of recommendation from non-relatives. The selection committee also requests that applicants submit their scholastic record, community involvement and extracurricular activities for further evaluation. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2022.

SPRINGFIELD –   A plan will be presented this fall to replace dismantled vehicle emissions inspection stations in Chicago after a measure supported by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) passed the Senate Friday. 

“This legislation will help restore a badly needed service in Chicago and in the northwest suburbs,” Martwick said. “People shouldn’t have to drive for miles and wait in long lines in order to meet this requirement for their vehicles.”

Senate Bill 1234 as amended would require  the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to submit a written report to the General Assembly by Oct. 1 2022, which would include a plan to replace the dismantled emissions inspection stations within the City of Chicago. The plan would help establish a pilot program or permanent replacement program as well as a timeline to implement the plan. 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) helped pass a measure to provide relief to teachers purchasing school supplies for their classrooms.

Hastings is a chief co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1143, which creates a tax credit to help educators cover the cost of out-of-pocket classroom expenses such as books, school supplies, notebooks and computer equipment up to $300, beginning in taxable year 2023.

“Our educators work tirelessly to prioritize the success of our children,’ Hastings said. “At times unfortunately, that means they need to pay out-of-pocket expenses to ensure students have the tools to learn and grow. While we work to end this crisis, it is essential we support our educators.”