SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) congratulated local businesses that were awarded grants from the latest round of the Back to Business program awards.

The B2B program allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations such as staff and overhead costs.

“I am happy to see the Back to Business grants going toward businesses in our neighborhoods that need help to get back on their feet,” Martwick said. “These funds will help struggling business owners return to operation and pay their employees.”

Twenty-three businesses in the district Martwick represents have already received $1.4 million in grants. They include restaurants, retail stores, and limousine companies, demonstrating the diversity of the local small business community. For a full list of businesses that have received Back to Business grants, visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awards page at illinois.gov/B2BAwards.

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) took time last week to visit two Envision Unlimited facilities in the district she represents. The visit allowed her to see first-hand the importance of providing support for people with disabilities through community-based programs. 

“Envision Unlimited is doing such important work serving people of all ages who live with disabilities,” Pacione-Zayas said. “Meeting some of the program participants and the people that help provide them with support was affirming in knowing what I need to advocate for in Springfield. Having a parent who navigates state disability services, I have witnessed how daunting it can be to secure consistent support despite having a stable family and housing structure.”

Envision Unlimited has served residents of Illinois for over 70 years, in 22 counties, with over 2,000 individuals currently benefitting from their home and community-based programs.  

“The success of our mission to provide Illinoisans who have disabilities a broad array of choices, maximum independence and inclusion in the larger society greatly depends upon the support of state government,” said Envision Unlimited CEO Mark McHugh. “Senator Pacione-Zayas’ interest in the lives of people with disabilities is refreshing and heartwarming. Our staff was honored to host her and grateful that she cared enough to witness what we do on a daily basis to uplift Illinois residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental illness.”

During her visit, Pacione-Zayas visited the Cornelia Community Integrated Living Arrangement which provides mental health support to women and encourages them to move toward independence. She also visited the Diversey Center whose day program focuses on development and enhancement of daily adaptive living skills and economic self-sufficiency for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

“Envision Unlimited provides not only the necessary safety net, but also targeted clinical support to ensure community members can lead a dignified independent lifestyle,” Pacione-Zayas said. “ I look forward to partnering on how we can leverage future opportunities to advance the mission of the organization.”

Learn more about Envision Unlimited and the support services they provide to people and children with intellectual/developmental disabilities on their website.  

CHICAGO – State Senator Pacione-Zayas (D- Chicago) and House Assistant Majority Leader Delia Ramirez (D- Chicago) along with other community leaders celebrated a new law that allows the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to designate cultural districts throughout the state.

“I am proud to have worked on this new law, and I am excited to see how communities come together to preserve their identities,” Pacione-Zayas said. “The law affirms and uplifts all the unique cultures in our state as we work toward economic recovery from the pandemic.”

LOCKPORT – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) attended a highway dedication Monday morning to memorialize a local fallen state trooper.

“Our first responders take a tremendous risk every day when they put on their uniforms and go to work—a risk that very few people can appreciate fully,” Connor said. “Trooper Warner was courageous and selfless in his duty, and he made the greatest sacrifice for a community that still feels his loss even half a century later.”

WEST CHICAGO – State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) is inviting employers and job seekers in the trade industry to an upcoming workforce fair from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6 at West Chicago Community High School.

“This Manufacturing Month, we’re working to provide opportunities for workers to make their voices heard and give our community a chance to get involved in the trades,” Villa said. “People looking for jobs and employers seeking workers should register to attend our workforce fair.”

The free workforce fair is an opportunity to network with employers within the trade and manufacturing industries, with on-the-spot interviews for some employment opportunities. Everyone who attends will be automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards along with other prizes.

Job seekers are encouraged to register to preview employers prior to the event. Villa’s district office will also be hosting office hours on Nov. 1, Nov. 3 and Nov. 5 to help job seekers build their resumes before the workforce fair. Interested individuals can sign up at senatorvilla.com.

Employers and job seekers can sign up to participate in the workforce fair at no cost at senatorvilla.com. More information is available from Villa’s district office at (630) 326-9319 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

EAST ST. LOUIS – To provide residents with a secure option for shredding documents containing personal information, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and Representative LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) have teamed up to host an event in Lebanon offering free, safe discarding services.

The shredding truck will be available in the parking lot of True Value Hardware, located at 753 True Value Dr. in Lebanon, from 9-11 a.m., or until the truck is full on Saturday, Oct. 23. A limit of two boxes of documents per car is encouraged.

“To help prevent fraud or identity theft, I encourage residents to take advantage of this free event to dispose of old personal documents,” Belt said. “Many of us have unnecessary papers in our homes, and this is a great opportunity to dispose of them in a safe manner.”

Examples of documents with personally identifiable information that should be safely discarded include bank statements, outdated medical records, tax returns, bills, junk mail, credit card applications and receipts.

If residents have questions about the event, Belt urges them to contact his office at 618-875-1212 or Greenwood’s office at 618-646-9557.

Turner provides 400 meals to community

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) attended two events in the 48th district last week where she provided more than 400 meals to community members.

Turner first attended a senior ministry event at the Salvation Army Clear Lake Corps in Springfield, providing 200 meals alongside members of the Greater All Nations Tabernacle Church of God in Christ Senior Luncheon. She then visited the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur, where she and her staff distributed 200 meals to families dropping off their children.\

Read more.

Morrison hosting holiday donation drive for kids in need

HIGHWOOD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is hosting a holiday donation drive to keep children in foster care warm and comforted this winter.

“In the spirit of giving this holiday season, I’m pleased to partner with so many community organizations to collect new pajamas for children in need,” Morrison said. “Warm pajamas are a basic human need, yet far too many children are left without each winter.”

Read more.

Ellman, Glowiak Hilton host donation drive for survivors of domestic violence, women in need

NAPERVILLE – State Senators Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) and Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) are partnering with Metropolitan Family Services DuPage to hold a #LovePurse donation drive for survivors of domestic violence and other local women in need.

The #LovePurse initiative collects new purses that are filled with personal care items, toiletries, menstrual products, and notes of encouragement to distribute to women in need and survivors of domestic violence. Residents are invited to purchase a purse and fill it with dental care supplies, shampoo and conditioner, skincare items, and more, and take it to a local designated drop-off.

Read more.

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JOLIET – Due to its accomplishments, including a strong commitment to customer safety and satisfaction, the Illinois Department of Transportation selected Joliet Regional Airport to receive a 2020 General Aviation Airport of the Year award, State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) announced.

“The Joliet Regional Airport is a great resource for our community, and I congratulate all airport staff on this well-deserved recognition,” Connor said. “Their continued commitment to safety and service even in the face of the unprecedented difficulties of the last year and a half is commendable.”

Joliet Regional Airport is one of 12 airports across the state selected to receive an Airport of the Year award from the Illinois Department of Transportation. Award considerations include cooperation and coordination with the state, the airport’s safety record, maintenance of the facility, and promotion of aviation and educational events. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, awards were based on the achievements of the last two years.

"We are honored to be chosen for the award, especially during the height of the pandemic. The changing guidelines throughout the year were challenging to say the least, but my staff rose to the occasion and we are proud to know that our efforts did not go unnoticed,” Airport Superintendent Jennifer McFarland said. “Our continued relationship with the IDOT Division of Aeronautics will be beneficial to all current and future members of the aviation community."

More information and resources for the Illinois aviation community can be found on Illinois Aviation’s website.