NAPERVILLE – In order to increase the availability of state assistance and informational resources to residents throughout the 21^st District, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is kicking off the new year by offering residents the opportunity to meet with her constituent services team at two separate mobile office hours events.

“The work I do every day is shaped by the members of the community and the issues that concern them most,” Ellman said. “I can’t stress how important it is to get their feedback, and how necessary community input is to the legislative process.”

Community members will have two opportunities to meet with Ellman’s constituent service team to receive assistance with state agencies, provide input to the Senator and receive informational resources:

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) invites residents to ask questions and get assistance at her Coffee, Conversation and Constituent Services event on Monday, Feb. 7 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Custom Cup Coffee.

“This is a great opportunity for the residents of Springfield and surrounding communities to enjoy a cup of coffee while having a conversation about state government, or to simply bring an issue to my attention,” Turner said. “I look forward to having a friendly conversation with those who are available to join me.”

DANVILLE – Illinois communities are preparing for a broadband infrastructure investment, and State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is pleased to see Champaign and Vermilion Counties receive a portion of $47 million in newly-announced broadband expansion funding.

“It became apparent during the start of the COVID-19 crisis that our communities were challenged with internet access,” Bennett said. “This funding is part of an overall effort to provide reliable, high-speed, affordable internet access to every home, business and community across the state.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced funding for 22 projects in every region of the state. The money is part of the second round of Connect Illinois, which is the state's broadband expansion plan, and the funding will help 14 different internet service providers, rural cooperatives and local governments.

SPRINGFIELD – Veterans and other members of the public will have a way to voice their concerns regarding the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park).

“The tragic COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home in 2020 made it clear that we needed to support veterans and IDVA staff by demanding further transparency from the department,” said Cullerton, chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affair committee and a veteran himself. “The new Veterans Accountability Unit will give our veterans and those who care for them a direct way to voice any concerns they have.”

The new law, Public Act 102-0695, creates the unit, with offices to be housed in IDVA buildings and veterans’ homes. The unit will be responsible for reporting complaints and recommendations from veterans, IDVA employees and other Illinois residents to the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor.

KANKAKEE – In an effort to restore downtown Kankakee and boost economic growth, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) introduced new legislation that would support investment in the City of Kankakee.

Joyce’s proposal – Senate Bill 3048 – would create a River Edge Redevelopment Zone in the City of Kankakee to receive the River Edge Tax Credit, designed to help older river communities redevelop properties.

“This legislation encourages investment in our community and offers a second chance to parts of our city that have become neglected over the years,” Joyce said. “As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, this tax credit will promote economic development and stimulate jobs that will help revitalize downtown Kankakee.”

CHICAGO – Local libraries in Stickney will be given nearly $39,000 in grants to provide assistance for pandemic recovery thanks to support from State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago).

“Libraries, like many of our businesses and homes, have been disrupted greatly by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” Villanueva said. “Despite these challenges, our local libraries have provided resources to job seekers, educators and the general public, and our support to them should be a reflection of all they do for our communities.”

The goal of the initiative is to respond to the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing funding for libraries to modify their services, transform their spaces and develop more resources for their local recovering workforce. These funds will also ensure all operations can be provided safely and effectively as the pandemic continues.

Springfield- In an effort to remove a barrier to full inclusion for immigrant communities in Illinois, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is championing a measure that removes the use of “alien” in any Illinois statute when referring to people who have mixed statuses and referring to commerce outside of Illinois and the country.

“As a proud son of a first-generation immigrant from Ethiopia, I am happy to support building community by assisting in removing barriers to access much needed resources,” Simmons said. “I want Illinois to send a clear message that we welcome immigrants and that we are working to eliminate the historic barriers that many of these communities have faced.”

Senate Bill 3865 would remove the use of "alien" in any Illinois statute when referring to people who have mixed statuses and referring to commerce outside of Illinois and the country.  Eliminating references to “alien” in Illinois law would remove a regressive and outdated legal term and symbolize the full inclusion of immigrant communities in Illinois. Similar legislation has recently passed in California and Colorado.

CHICAGO – Local businesses in the 16^th District were recently awarded $1.8 million in funding from the Back to Business Program thanks to advocacy and support from State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago).

“Businesses across the state have been our front line defense against the COVID-19 pandemic,” Collins said. “These grants are giving our local businesses a much needed boost to get back on their feet as they continue to recover.”

The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget. So far – thanks to strong support from Senator Collins – DCEO has provided $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.