SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to State Senator Cristina Castro’s support of the Illinois Works and Rebuild Illinois initiatives, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced another round of funding will be invested in Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program grants. The $15 million in funding will expand equity in Illinois’ construction workforce, grow the pool of highly-skilled apprentices and increase access to building trades careers more broadly.

The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program is designed to increase the number of qualified construction and building trades apprentices who are women, people of color and veterans, and prepares them to enter full apprenticeship programs on their way to careers in the construction and building trades.

 “A career in the building trades comes with so many benefits: a living wage, a dignified retirement, and opportunities to excel while helping to build our communities,” said State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin). “I am proud to support the Illinois Works initiatives as they continue to invest in our skilled workforce and create more opportunities for people of color, women, and veterans.”

CHICAGO — Thanks to the Illinois State Democrats’ championing of the FY2023 budget, the Illinois State Board of Education announced a $54 million increase in funding for the Early Childhood Block Grant.

“Early childhood education is vital in guiding our children toward successful careers,” said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood). “We must ensure disadvantaged children have an opportunity to succeed by providing them with an intellectual skillset before entering kindergarten.”

The Early Childhood Block Grant provides funding for preschool programs operated by local school districts and qualified community agencies as well as developmental services for infants and toddlers. Among the services offered are Preschool for All and the state Prevention Initiative, which provides intensive and comprehensive childhood development including physical therapy and speech therapy, as well as family support to prepare children for later school success.

TAYLORVILLE – Thanks to support from State Senator Doris Turner, Taylorville will receive a $3 million investment as part of the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets program.

“Our local business districts are the heart and soul of our communities,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “These investments in our small businesses will help grow our economy and create new jobs in Christian County. We need to continue to look for ways to support our local businesses.”

With new federal funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administered grants to 50 commercial corridors throughout the state. The City of Taylorville received funding to make needed improvements at the Downtown Taylorville Square and business corridor.

Turner has been an advocate for the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois program – a historic $45 billion investment in Illinois’ transportation infrastructure and state facilities.

“The $3 million investment into the City of Taylorville will help support projects to modernize infrastructure and spur economic growth all while restoring the charm of our downtown,” said Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry. “I applaud Sen. Doris Turner for her work in securing this grant and also Gov. JB Pritzker and Deputy Gov. Andy Manar for their efforts to revitalize communities in downstate.”

DCEO originally administered $50 million for the program in 2021. Due to federal funding, the state allocated an additional $56 million to support 29 more projects. With matching funds from recipients, a total investment of $215 million was made in downtowns across Illinois.

For a full list of recipients, visit Illinois.gov.

CHAMPAIGN –State Senator Scott Bennett joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to announce a combined $6 million grant through Rebuild Illinois awarded to Champaign and Rantoul to revamp their downtown regions.

“Downtown areas are special to their communities, whether it’s historic buildings, tasty restaurants, or a place for residents to hangout,” said Bennett (D- Champaign). “With this grant, downtowns are able to become even more welcoming and vibrant.”

DCEO announced a total of $106 million in capital grants awarded to revitalize 50 commercial corridors and main streets throughout Illinois. Among those 50 projects, Champaign and Rantoul have each been awarded $3 million.

“Not only are these regions adding additional value to their downtowns, they are also keeping historical aspects that have been around for decades,” Bennett said. “The Rebuild Illinois Program has been a great plan for many places in the state and has made projects, such as these in Champaign and Rantoul, possible.”

For more information or to see the full list of recipients, people can visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.

EAST ST. LOUIS – With support from State Senator Christopher Belt, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced more than $90.5 million in state and local highway road improvements for the 57th District.

“The Rebuild Illinois capital program has made lasting, positive improvements to the state, and the work is just getting started,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Investing in the Metro East’s transportation is vital, as it will continue to create jobs, promote economic growth and keep residents safe when traveling.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under the Rebuild Illinois program, officials in the 57th District are scheduled to begin 26 infrastructure projects totaling an estimated $90,551,000 in Fiscal Year 2023. Notable state highway projects include:

• Make bridge improvements on I-55, I-70 and US Route 40 in East St. Louis - $28 million
• Resurface 3.89 miles of I-64 near Greenmount Road and I-158 - $6.6 million
• Rehabilitate I-159 from Alexa Drive to Douglas Avenue and Washington Street to IL Route 13 in Belleville - $4.6 million total

These projects are part of IDOT’s Multi-Year Plan, a $34.6 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years.

Local roads will also see improvements, scheduled projects include:

• Overlay a portion of Sullivan Drive in Belleville - $914,000
• Construct sidewalks on a portion of Bond Avenue in Cahokia Heights - $763,000
• Rehabilitate a section of 3rd Street in Madison - $608,000

The $34.6 billion will go to highway reconstruction and preservation, bridge improvements, strategic expansion, system support such as engineering and land acquisition, and safety and system modernizations. Over six years, the funding will be dispersed to improve more than 2,500 miles of roads and nearly 10 million square feet of bridges.

To find a full list of projects slated for the 57th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to announce a combined $8.5 million in funding to revitalize local downtowns and main streets in Bradley, Bourbonnais and Peotone through the Rebuild Illinois Program.

“Every town should have a central area to safely gather that is unique to their community,” said Joyce (D- Essex). “The areas granted this funding will be able to enhance buildings and landscape while also creating safer conditions.”

DCEO announced a total of $106 million in capital grants awarded to revitalize 50 commercial corridors and main streets throughout Illinois. Three villages in the district Joyce represents were included in the funding: Bradley, Bourbonnais and Peotone. Funds have been allocated to improve the route 50 corridor in Bradley, reconstruct Peotone’s downtown street and to invest in Bourbonnais’s Community Campus Project- which offers a variety of activities and events for residents.  

“Not only will this funding improve the communities, but it will provide an economic boost and job growth,” Joyce said. “These projects are a win-win for our community as a whole.”

For more information or to see the full list of recipients, people can visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.

WAUKEGAN – Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by Senator Adriane Johnson, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced an investment of nearly $8 million in road and bridge improvement projects.

“For too long, our infrastructure has suffered from historic underinvestment, threatening the safety and security of our community,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “These funds will go toward revitalizing our roads, creating jobs and boosting growth in the area.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Johnson represents will see 20 infrastructure projects totaling more than $62 million over the next six years.

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

• Lane reallocation on Route ILL 137 Sheridan Road from  11^th to 16^th Street in North Chicago
• Bridge replacement on Belvidere Street near CNW RR & ILL 137 in Waukegan
• Construction engineering on Belvidere Street near CNW RR & ILL 137 in Waukegan
• Construction engineering  on Lakeview Parkway  near Center Drive to Fairway in Vernon Hills
• Pavement improvements on Lakeview Parkway near Center Drive to Fairway in Vernon Hills

These projects are part of IDOT’s multi-year plan, a $34.6 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years.  

The $34.6 billion will go to highway reconstruction and preservation, bridge improvements, strategic expansion, system support such as engineering and land acquisition, and safety and system modernizations. Over six years, the funding will be dispersed to improve more than 2,500 miles of roads and nearly 10 million square feet of bridges.

“Good infrastructure is key to easier commutes, more tourism opportunities and enhanced economic activity, “Johnson said. “These projects won’t just make our commutes safer, they’ll bring jobs to the community to benefit families for years to come.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 30^th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

HARVEY – As a strong supporter of their multi-year plan, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III joined the Illinois Department of Transportation to announce an investment of $27 million in road and bridge improvement projects by the end of 2023. 

“The direct effect of transport infrastructure investment is to improve travel conditions for local residents or civilians who uses these roads for daily travel,” said Harris. “Road and bridge improvements will not only improve travel conditions but boost economic growth and enhance local communities curve appeal.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, Harris’s district will see 46 infrastructure projects totaling more than $121 million over the next six years.

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

• Bridge repair from South of Little Calumet River to South of U.S. 6 (159^th St.) 
• Street repair from I-94 (Bishop Ford Expwy.) to Burnham Ave. 
• Traffic flow improvements from Hamilton Ave. to Cleveland Ave. 

These projects are part of IDOT’s multi-year plan, a $34.6 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years.  

The $34.6 billion will go to highway reconstruction and preservation, bridge improvements, strategic expansion, system support such as engineering and land acquisition, and safety and system modernizations. Over six years, the funding will be dispersed to improve more than 2,500 miles of roads and nearly 10 million square feet of bridges.

“If we want to continue to improve our state’s economic and developmental growth we have to invest in our roads,” Harris said. “Our economy depends reliable infrastructure to connect supply chains and to produce more efficient travel for years to come.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 15^th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.