Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – It’s National Small Business week and members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus kicked it off by announcing a total of $250 million in small business COVID-19 relief funds have now been granted to through the Back to Business Program.

“This relief program has been a vital investment in thousands of small businesses that keep the economy humming throughout our great state. It has kept doors open and people employed at gyms and restaurants, cleaners, and coffee shops,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “I am hopeful that it made a difference in their economic recovery and will help small businesses thrive in the years to come.”

The Back to Business Program – or B2B– was championed by Illinois Democrats to help small businesses bounce back from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, the program issued nearly 6,500 grants to small businesses in over 475 cities and 90 counties – with 96% of the grants being awarded to disproportionately impacted communities and the hardest-hit industries. Over half of the grants went to businesses owned by people of color.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is pleased to announce that the Four Rivers Sanitation Authority in Winnebago County will be receiving more than $20 million in water infrastructure funding.

“This investment toward our infrastructure is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to provide water safety and to protect our communities,” Stadelman said. “The funds will be used to improve and ensure our water treatment plant is operating in a clean and functional way.”

The funds come from the Illinois EPA's State Revolving Fund Program, which includes the Water Pollution Control Loan Program and the Public Water Supply Loan Program. These programs provide low-interest loans to fund wastewater, stormwater and drinking water projects.

The Four Rivers Sanitation Authority will use the funds to replace primary settling tanks, pumps, filters, and other equipment necessary to complete the project. This will help the sanitation authority comply with applicable regulations.

“These upgrades and replacements represent the steps Illinois is taking to protect our environment and the community as a whole,” Stadelman said. “I am happy to announce this project and the progress we are making in Winnebago County.”

Projects are funded throughout the state through the Rebuild Illinois program, and recipients will receive an interest rate of 1.11% for both wastewater and drinking water loans. Find more information about Illinois EPA’s SRF program here.

SPRINGFIELD – Up to $3.7 million in grants are available for communities outside of Cook County to address and implement COVID-19 health equity strategies, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt, who chairs the Senate Healthcare Access and Availability committee, is encouraging state organizations to apply.

“COVID-19 has impacted communities across the state in very different ways,” said Van Pelt (D-Chicago). “Classism, racism, and other societal barriers didn’t leave with the pandemic. We must ensure that everyone is recovering from the pandemic equally.”

Activating Relationships in Illinois for Systemic Equity (ARISE) is a joint initiative of the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Center for Minority Health Services and The Center for Rural Health, in collaboration with Well-Being and Equity (WE) in the World.

HARVEY – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III announced a $20 million investment will be coming to Harvey to replace the platforms and add an elevator to the 147th Street Metra Station to make it more accessible to people with disabilities. 

“After years of disinvestment, the 147th Street Metra Station in Harvey will see a $20 million investment to make it more accessible to the community,” Harris said. “This upgrade is vital as it will assist with developing the social, economic, and environmental territory around this Harvey Metra location.”

LAKE COUNTY, Ill.  – State Senators Adriane Johnson, Julie Morrison and Melinda Bush are thrilled to announce the North Shore Water Reclamation District is set to receive more than $5 million in water infrastructure funding.

“With this investment, the North Shore Water Reclamation District can take significant strides to update infrastructure, protect the environment and improve water quality for our residents,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “I’m pleased to see this program benefit our community’s safety.” 

MARYVILLE – State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe announced the village of Maryville is set to receive more than $820,000 in water infrastructure funding.

“Repairing and upgrading our aging infrastructure is part of our ongoing efforts to protect public health and the environment,” said Crowe (D-Glen Carbon). “These funds will give the village of Maryville an opportunity to improve wastewater treatment in our community.” 

Maryville officials received more than $820,000 to install sewer mains and manholes with plans to abandon an existing pump station. The funding will allow the village to make necessary updates to their collection system in order to continue providing proper wastewater treatment for residents.

The funds come from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s State Revolving Fund Program, which includes the Water Pollution Control Loan Program and the Public Water Supply Loan Program. The programs provide low-interest loans to fund wastewater, stormwater and drinking water projects through Rebuild Illinois.

Find more information about Illinois EPA’s SRF program here. 

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter is excited to welcome the St. Laurence Arts Incubator project in Grand Crossing, a $1.7 million initiative to open doors for Chicago’s artists of color.

The St. Laurence Arts Incubator is the newest and largest project to date from the Rebuild Foundation, which has worked to preserve cultural sites like the Stony Island Arts Bank, the Retreat at Currency Exchange Café, Kenwood Gardens, and the Dorchester Art + Housing Collaborative. 

“The work that artists do is impactful, and I am glad the city has invested in this new opportunity to support them,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “In particular, this incubator uplifts Black and Brown artists and entrepreneurs, and will be located right here in the Southside.”

CHAMPAIGN – On Wednesday, May 4, Illinois will be celebrating Firefighters’ Day in Illinois thanks to a resolution supported by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign).

“Firefighters risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe,” Bennett said. “Although firefighters deserve our community’s respect throughout the year, designating a day statewide is important to recognize their efforts and contributions to protecting our communities.”

Firefighters’ Day honors the fearless men and women who not only run toward burning buildings and risk their own lives to save others but are often the first response when medical attention is required in homes and businesses.