ELGIN – With strong support from State Senator Cristina Castro, $44,000 will be coming to Elgin to boost local tourism efforts and attract visitors to destination activities throughout Illinois.

“With more than 1,000 hotel rooms and a community that has deep cultural roots and historic treasures for all to enjoy, Elgin has so much to offer visitors and residents alike,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “As a lifelong resident, I know that the investments we make in our communities will generate benefits for years to come.”

CHICAGO – Chicago-area agencies are set to receive nearly $300,000 to improve local tourism efforts thanks to support from State Senator Robert Peters.

“Tourism is our way to share our history and our stories with visitors from all over the world,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “By providing funding for tourism attractions, we bolster our economies, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen the future of our communities.”

The Illinois Travel and Tourism Grant Program awarded $2.9 million in funding to 51 local governments, municipalities and nonprofit agencies for the development of tourist attractions and events. Additionally, the state will be matching funds to offset marketing expenses for expenditures such as promotional materials and production costs.

Navy Pier was awarded $100,000 to support the “Light Up the Lake” event, and the Chicago Architecture Foundation was awarded $95,032 to aid Chicago Architecture Biennial promotional efforts. Additionally, the Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Museum of Contemporary Art were awarded $100,000 and $65,000, respectively.

“People from every corner of the world visit Chicago,” Peters said. “I look forward to seeing these organizations using the funds in a way to preserve the international significance of Chicago tourism.”

To view a full list of Illinois Travel and Tourism Grant Program recipients, click here.

SPRINGFIELD – To provide all victims of human rights violations the opportunity to seek justice, State Senator Laura Fine is working on legislation with the Illinois Department of Human Rights to improve how they investigate possible violations.

“With this law, we are assuring Illinoisans who have a human rights complaint that we hear them and are willing to fight for them,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “There will be more avenues to pursue justice with this measure and will help ensure no one slips through the cracks.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy joined the rally to Fight for Illinois Families on Friday to speak about the importance of the SAFER Communities Act.

“This bill gives individuals reentering society the opportunity to secure a stable job so they can take care of their families,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “It’s possible to decrease the rate of recidivism by providing incentives to businesses to hire formerly incarcerated individuals.”

Murphy’s measure – the SAFER Communities Act – would task the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity with creating a program that would help formerly incarcerated individuals gain reliable employment. Additionally the program would provide tax credits to employers who hire program participants, with a greater amount offered to small businesses.

ROCKFORD – To give local tourism efforts more support, State Senator Steve Stadelman announced that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has granted over $50,000 to Winnebago County tourism organizations.

“Illinois is a great place to visit with iconic stops in so many cities across the state,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “From the Discovery Center Museum to Loves Park, our community has so much to offer. I look forward to the support these grants will bring.”

The Route 66 Grant Program and the Illinois Travel and Tourism Grant Program will support the following organizations in the 34^th district:

• Discovery Center Museum of Rockford - $30,355
• Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden - $10,000
• Loves Park - $10,000

This funding supports a variety of projects across the state, including the installation of iconic Route 66 signage, pylons, monuments, as well as investments in museums, exhibits, service areas and rest stops. As Illinois’ transportation sector evolves to include more electric vehicles, the projects also focus on building out EV infrastructure and promoting the state's tourism areas as EV destinations.

“Tourism is a driving factor in so many industries and communities around the state and these grants will ensure our communities are prepared for the summer weather to come,” Stadelman said. “I look forward to our parks and museums here in Rockford getting resources for projects to benefit our community.”

Grants were awarded to entities in every economic region in the state. Awards ranged from $9,640 to $100,000, with an average award of $57,502. A link to the full list of the recipients can be found here.

Loughran Cappel supports pets for vets

SPRINGFIELD – Veterans deserve companionship – that’s why State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a measure out of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee that would waive fees for veterans adopting dogs or cats.

“There is a special bond people share with their animals,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “For our veterans, this bond can help their health and happiness.”

Read more.

Martwick measure to hold rideshare companies accountable

SPRINGFIELD – Rideshare companies would be subject to the same care standards as all other transportation companies under new legislation introduced by State Senator Robert Martwick.

“When you get on a bus or a train, or ride in a plane or a taxi, you expect a certain level of professionalism – a certain standard of care,” said Martwick (D-Chicago.) “If something were to happen to you due to negligence on the company’s part, it’s your right to hold that company liable. As it stands, this protection does not apply to rideshare companies, like Uber or Lyft, and it’s time that changes.”

Read more.

Joyce measure to allow three-year hunting, fishing and trapping licenses advances

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce passed a measure out of committee that would allow for an easier way to obtain a hunting, fishing, trapping and sportsmen licenses.

“We are working to provide a practical solution for avid hunters, anglers and trappers in the state,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “It’s a win-win for everyone — making it easier for people to enjoy these hobbies while supporting our state’s conservation efforts.”

Read more.

Illinois Senate Democrats encourage public to draw and submit district boundaries for new Chicago Elected School Board using online portal

The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus recently launched an updated online map making portal where the public can draw and submit proposed district boundaries for the new Chicago Elected Representative School Board.

The portal builds on the commitment by Senate Democrats to encourage robust public participation in the creation of the new Chicago elected school board districts. This includes a series of public hearings held by the Special Committee on the Chicago Elected Representative School Board in recent weeks to gather input from across the city’s diverse communities.

The portal can be accessed at www.ilsenateredistricting.com. All maps submitted through the portal will be reviewed as part of the public record. Previously, the public was able to draw and submit proposed communities of interest and upload proposed district boundaries.

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­SPRINGFIELD – To help ensure that saving a life does not come at the cost of employment, State Senator Ram Villivalam is moving legislation to give employees up to ten days of paid leave for serving as an organ donor.

"Our state is made up of amazing people who are incredibly giving and care deeply for their neighbors," said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “When someone donates an organ to help a person in need, it is important they are able to take earned leave time off to recuperate."

“I am proud to stand with the Black farmers of Illinois,” says Turner (D-Springfield). “As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I want to be a voice for all members of our agriculture community.”

This week commemorates the first Black Farmers Week in the state. Black Farmers Week was established this year by House Representative Sonya Harper with the support of Senator Turner to encourage the people of Illinois and all representatives in government to learn about the history of Black farming communities and the contributions made by African Americans in the agriculture field.