ELGIN – The Elgin Area Historical Society will be receiving a much-needed financial boost to go toward the Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House project, thanks to support from State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“The Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House is a unique architectural landmark in Elgin,” Castro said. “The historical society has been hard at work updating the house for public use, and this funding will help the organization meet their vision as they continue to look toward the future.”

SPRINGFIELD – With daylight saving time taking effect this weekend, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) is reminding everyone to check and change their smoke detector batteries as well.

“Daylight saving is a great opportunity to make sure your smoke detectors are working,” said Turner. “You are already in the habit of turning your clocks forward, this is another helpful habit to start.”

If you find an alarm that is not working or is expired, replace the alarm immediately with a new 10-year sealed battery alarm. Now is also a great time to review your fire escape plan with your family.

Chicago – Major Chicago cultural centers including the Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute and the Chicago Children’s Museum have been awarded grants totaling more than $1.5 million  to make improvements and improve visitor experience, thanks to support from State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

“Museums provide excellent opportunities for our youth and families to learn and grow together,” Peters said. “This grant program is making a significant investment in our most prominent local museums  that will ultimately attract more visitors, support research, and serve the community for generations to come.”

CHICAGO – The National Museum for Mexican Art is set to receive $750,000 to make improvements and create new exhibits, thanks to support from Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).

“Museums give people an experience to learn and understand our history,” Munoz said. “The National Museum for Mexican Art is extraordinary with rich visuals and eccentric exhibits. This funding will expand the museum’s arts for visitors from all over to enjoy.”

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to keep Illinois on track toward a cleaner, more sustainable future, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) advanced a measure out of the Senate incentivizing the purchase of electric motorcycles in Illinois.

“The decision is easy: any step we can take toward sustainability, we should,” Koehler said. “This legislation simply aligns the state’s treatment of all electric modes of transportation. We need to make electric vehicles of all kinds as accessible and affordable as possible to all Illinoisans. This is how we make that happen.”

MARYVILLE – The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police have named State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) as the 2022 Public Official of the Year.

“As law enforcement officers serve and protect our communities, I've worked diligently to advocate their interests in the Senate,” Crowe said. “It's truly an honor to be recognized by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police with the Public Official of the Year award.”

The ILACP named Crowe based on her strong relationship with law enforcement, noting her willingness to listen to their needs and advocate for their interests as legislation is proposed in the Illinois General Assembly.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Democrats are applauding the creation of a new $3.5 million grant program to invigorate local economies. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced the launch of the Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Development initiative today.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) and State Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) in particular are enthusiastic about the prospects of a post-pandemic recovery boom.

"Central Illinois is blessed with so many great economic assets," said Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria). "By working together to plan for the future, we can identify even more opportunities for growth."

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) is supporting measures to ensure that Direct Support Personnel are fairly compensated for the assistance they provide to individuals with developmental disabilities.

“Support workers are essential workers,” Belt said. “These individuals care for residents who rely on them to do basic day-to-day tasks that many of us do without thinking. It’s vital that these workers are taken care of and paid a fair wage.”

DSPs are vital in community residential settings, where they help residents with daily personal care like eating and hygiene as well as teaching life skills and attending to complex medical needs. While funding for these services has increased over recent years, starting wages remain barely above minimum wage, and vacancies remain high. This disparity is because the state does not always require community agencies to pass wage increases through to the workers.