SKOKIE – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) commends Gov. JB Pritzker for signing the Teaching Equitable Asian American History Act, which will require public schools to highlight the contributions of Asian Americans and their culture throughout history.

“By passing the TEAACH Act, Illinois is acknowledging the importance of inclusion in our schools,” said Cullerton, who attended the bill-signing ceremony at Niles West High School in Skokie. “Students should see themselves reflected in their school curriculums, and that is exactly what this legislation will do for our Asian American students.”

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, hate crimes and attacks on Asian Americans rose across the country, prompting advocacy groups and organizers to develop and champion this legislation over the past year.

There are more than 100,000 Asian American K-12 students in Illinois, and the new law will allow these students and their peers to gain a better understanding of the contributions and cultures of the Asian American community in the United States.

“I am proud to have supported this landmark law,” said Cullerton, who was a co-sponsor of the measure. “By teaching the children in our state a more inclusive history, we will inspire a more equitable and open-minded future.”

The law, Public Act 102-0044, will go into effect during the 2022-2023 school year.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority announced two grants totaling more than $340,000 for organizations in Springfield and Decatur to offer pro-social activities that may reduce violence and victimization or provide increased street intervention to young people and emerging adults aged 10 to 25 this summer.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for young people in these areas,” Turner said. “I’ve been working to address the root causes of violence since the start of my political career. I’m so proud of the work done on this initiative. These grants will increase programming, job opportunities, and provide safe spaces for our kids.”

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is pleased to congratulate the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on receiving a $50,000 grant to improve its internet access and speeds.

The funding is part of the state's Regional Engagement for Adoption and Digital Equity program, which looks to expand digital access to communities throughout Illinois.

“High speed internet is a necessity for economic growth and our ability to help bridge the digital divide,” Bennett said. “This investment will give us the ability to deliver a high-quality education and give the U of I the opportunity to make a huge difference in our community.”

The inaugural READY program has $200,000 already awarded to four regional entities to accelerate progress in eliminating the digital divide. The program is meant to fuel local efforts to increase digital equity for homeowners and citizens who lack access to high-speed internet.

The READY grantees may use funds to expand immediate broadband connectivity, conduct outreach and engagement to identify current digital inequities, and establish next steps toward creating a digital inclusion ecosystem. More information on the broadband access grants is available on the DCEO website.

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas issued a statement following last week’s federal court decision in Texas blocking the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program from taking any new applications:

“Judge Andrew Hanen’s ruling last Friday is yet another egregious attempt to rip the opportunity away for a pathway to citizenship, safety, and protection from hundreds of thousands of people who came to this country as a result of broken U.S. foreign policy.

“DACA protects undocumented child immigrants and allows them to work in the United States, pursue educational goals, and ultimately give them a chance to make their own way in this country.

“This decision is just another painful reminder of why the federal government needs to act with urgency and expediency about designing and implementing a permanent solution that is a comprehensive pathway to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants beyond DACA recipients.

“I stand with all the immigrants in the 20th District and beyond. I see you. I hear you. I promise to continue to work to represent you in this state, and I urge Congress and the president to act as soon as possible to protect the millions of people who are entitled to safety, resources, and ability to openly contribute to reimagining this country as one that works towards our collective liberation.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is encouraging residents of Chicago’s West Side check their eligibility for the federal Child Tax Credit, even if they did not file taxes in the last two years.

“I encourage families that are eligible to take advantage of this opportunity,” Van Pelt said. “By filling out the non-filer application on the IRS website, you can still get relief, even if you did not file taxes in 2019 or 2020.”

ROCKFORD – State Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) congratulated the Region 1 Planning Council on winning an important grant to help expand broadband access throughout the Northern Stateline region, which includes the Rockford area.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Gov. JB Pritzker recently announced the first list of grant recipients for the Broadband Regional Engagement for Adoption + Digital Equity (READY).

“Internet access is becoming as important as telephones and electricity for many citizens, and Illinois is looking to get them connected with better speeds,” Stadelman said. “High speed internet will help many people in the Rockford area work and search for work, connect families, and help students who need access to educational information.”

The inaugural READY program is a first of its kind, with $200,000 already awarded to four regional entities to accelerate progress in eliminating the digital divide. The program is meant to fuel local efforts to increase digital equity for homeowners and citizens who lack access to high-speed internet.

“Region 1 Planning Council is grateful for the opportunity to bring partners together as a part of the Broadband READY program,” said Region 1 Planning Council Executive Director Michael Dunn, Jr. “Focusing on the elimination of the digital divide in Winnebago & Boone Counties, DCEO’s funding helps establish a regional action plan as well as funding Rockford Public Library’s launch of a Chromebook and hot-spot lending program for its patrons. The READY program will help our region take practical steps toward closing the digital divide and enhancing broadband access, adoption and use.”

The READY grantees may use funds to expand immediate broadband connectivity, conduct outreach and engagement to identify current digital inequities, and establish next steps toward creating a digital inclusion ecosystem. More information on the broadband access grants is available on the DCEO website.

EAST ST. LOUIS – To expand digital access in the Metro East, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) is urging local organizations to apply for the second round of state broadband grant funding.

“People rely on the internet. As the pandemic forced many people to work from home and participate in school remotely, access to the internet became a necessity,” Belt said. “I want to spread the word that applications are open for organizations to apply for broadband funding as we work to eliminate the digital divide.”

The Office of Broadband Regional Engagement for Adoption + Digital Equity (READY) program is designed to increase access, adoption and use of high-speed internet access through the lens of digital equity and inclusion. To further these efforts across all ten economic development regions of the state, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Broadband is launching the next READY notice of funding opportunity, with another $250,000 available for grants.

The Broadband READY program is part of a comprehensive Digital Equity Package to boost broadband capacity while addressing existing broadband equity gaps. The READY program and other investments to enhance community planning and equitable implementation will complement the Connect Illinois program, a $400 million plan to deliver universal access to high-speed internet statewide.

Funding can be used to expand immediate broadband connectivity, conduct outreach and engagement to identify current digital inequities and establish next steps forward. Its aim is to create a digital inclusion ecosystem through regional collaboration among institutions of higher education, planning councils, community and economic development organizations, schools, libraries, health care and local leaders and other related stakeholders.

“In today’s world, the internet is our gateway to everything,” Belt said. “Bridging the gap to ensure people have reliable internet is essential.”

The application deadline for the second round of READY grants is Oct. 4, 2021. Visit the Illinois Office of Broadband website for information on eligibility criteria or application assistance.

Illinois revisits cannabis laws to provide more licenses to minority applicants

SPRINGFIELD - Illiinois has created new marijuana dispensary licenses for social equity applicants because of a new law sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) that was signed last week.

“The signing of House Bill 1443 moves us closer to making the promise of equity in cannabis a reality in a state where the entire existing industry is White. I was proud to partner with State Representative LaShawn Ford in passing HB1443 which is the result of dozens of meetings with stakeholders and applicants who demanded that their voices be heard,” Lightford said. “This industry has the potential to change lives but only if we keep the principles of equity at the center of every decision we make. The signing of this legislation brings us one step closer to making these promises a reality.”

Read more.

Series of new Peters laws focus on safety, justice for communities

CHICAGO – During a ceremony at a Northwestern University campus in Chicago, four public safety and criminal justice reform measures sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) were signed by Gov. JB Pritzker and became law.

The ceremony was a culmination of several years of hard work from Peters and advocates to reimagine what safety and justice look like in Illinois.

Senate Bill 2122 makes statements provided by a minor inadmissible in court if they were made after a law enforcement official intentionally lied during the interrogation. Deception is defined as “knowingly providing false information about evidence or leniency.”

Read more.

Ellman encourages everyone to get outside during Park and Recreation Month

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is bringing attention to the many benefits of public parks and other natural spaces in celebration of National Park and Recreation Month.

“Parks and other public spaces in our community give everyone a place to gather and enjoy being outdoors,” Ellman said. “After the difficulties of the pandemic, this Park and Recreation Month is a wonderful opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature.”

According to the National Recreation and Park Association, parks play an important role in maintaining quality of life in a community. Parks provide gathering places for members of a community to interact with each other, host public events and offer recreational programs.

Read more.

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