GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is announcing that school districts in the 31^st District will receive more than $90 million in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Overnight, teachers were forced to get creative and find ways to connect and guide their students through the ever-changing battles brought forth by the pandemic,” Bush said. “They did so with little guidance and funding, but with a lot of grace and leadership.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

FRANKFORT – School districts in the 19th District are set to receive $43 million in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) says this funding will bolster the state’s recovery efforts.

“For just over a year, teachers, students, and parents have worked diligently through less than ideal learning conditions,” Hastings said. “By robustly investing in broadband infrastructure, addressing our students’ mental health needs and retaining quality educators, we can give our kids the ability to grow and jumpstart the state’s recovery process, despite the unfortunate circumstances of the past year.”

BUFFALO GROVE – State Senator Adriane Johnson is announcing that school districts in the 30^th District will receive an estimated $92,629,180 in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When the pandemic put a pause on classroom learning, our teachers stepped up and put in countless hours of additional planning to keep students engaged remotely,” Johnson said. “This much-deserved funding will give teachers and schools the support they need to fully return to in-person lessons safely.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief package. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

CHAMPAIGN – To help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is announcing that school districts in the 52nd District will receive an estimated $128,207,491 in additional funding.

“Parents have spent most of this pandemic focusing on how their kids will continue learning and how the pandemic will impact their future,” said Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Scott Bennett. “Teachers have adapted to every obstacle thrown their way this past year, and I’m thrilled to see the state do right by our students with this additional funding.”

HIGHWOOD – Following more than a year of most Illinois schools being remote, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is announcing financial assistance to help districts address COVID-19 challenges.

“Teachers aren’t just educators to students – they are often friends, protectors and role models,” Morrison said. “During the pandemic, teachers stepped even further into these roles – and I can’t thank them enough.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

SPRINGFIELD — Members of Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC) are offering support for the state’s Learning Renewal Guide, a set of recommendations to help local schools address learning loss by students due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Over the past year, Illinois students and families have faced unprecedented educational disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” ILBC Joint Caucus Chair state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, said. “We owe it to students to ensure they receive a high quality education and that they are able make up for learning loss caused by the pandemic.”

JOLIET – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) toured the Rialto Square Theater in Joliet on Monday afternoon in an effort to bring attention to local venues whose operations have suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Rialto opened in 1926 and has been a pillar of our community ever since,” Connor said. “It’s been hard to see so many local theaters unable to open for business because of the pandemic, and facing a lot of financial struggles as a result.”

The Rialto Theatre is not currently open for shows due to COVID-19 capacity limitations, but continues to be maintained by the Will County Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority.

“Once those constraints are lifted, I certainly hope that people return to this beautiful Joliet landmark and ensure its continued vitality as the heart of downtown Joliet,” Connor said. “The Rialto holds a great deal of rich community history and I look forward to seeing it return to its pre-pandemic glory.”

Those wishing to learn more about the history of the Rialto Square Theatre can visit rialtosquare.com.

 CHICAGO – Tuesday afternoon, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) held a hearing in light of rising opioid overdose deaths in Cook County over the past year.

 “I think it’s necessary to reanalyze substance addiction in a way that is not criminalizing the addict,” Van Pelt said. “Substance abuse is a disorder, and people need treatment, not punishment. The drug companies, dealers, doctors and pharmacists should be held accountable for the role they play in these overdoses.”

 Gloria Banks, member of Mothers Opposed to Violence Everywhere, testified that users are victims, and dealers are the ones who should be criminalized. Banks’ brother Jay died last December of an overdose.  Banks said she doesn’t believe it to be an accident, but rather a homicide.