Caucus News

DES PLAINES – Residents of Hanover Park will be able to spend time outdoors and stay connected to surrounding communities thanks to a $450,000 project extending the County Farm Road multi-use path, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced.

“A well-rounded community infrastructure system offers a range of accessible transportation options, including walking and bike paths,” Murphy said. “These improvements will make it safer and easier for residents to take in all the natural beauty our area has to offer.”

The project will extend County Farm Road south from the Hanover Park Metra Station and make safety improvements along the route. The extended path will connect County Farm Road to an existing bike path that reaches Mallard Lake and Hawk Hollow forest preserves, giving cyclists and pedestrians easy access to a greater trail network.

These improvements are funded through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP), for which the Illinois Department of Transportation has selected 99 projects totaling $105.7 million. Projects receiving funding in this round of investment include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification, and other projects designed to encourage safe travel across the various modes of transportation at the local level.

Residents of the Northwest Suburbs will also see improvements to a number of other area trails for pedestrians and bicyclists through ITEP, including Clearmont Pedestrian Bridge over Salt Creek in Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines River Trail in Rosemont and Oakton Street Sidepath in Des Plaines.

“Safe and well-maintained trails give residents, commuters and visitors the opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature,” Murphy said. “The new and improved County Farm Road will keep us connected with the environment and each other.”

BUFFALO GROVE – To give people the opportunity to ask questions, interact with their neighbors and get updates about what’s going on in Springfield, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is inviting residents to attend the first in-person session of her monthly outreach event series, Coffee & Connect.

“Due to the pandemic, many community events have gone virtual, and it’s been more difficult to get to know our neighbors,” Johnson said. “With more and more people getting vaccinated every day, I’m excited to be able to meet and chat with residents in person about their vision for our community’s future.”

The next Coffee & Connect session will be held Saturday, June 26 at 10 a.m. in the outdoor picnic shelter at Diamond Lake Sports Complex in Mundelein. Residents who are more comfortable participating virtually can sign up to join the meeting via Zoom at www.SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com/CoffeeConnect.

Each monthly Coffee & Connect serves as an open forum for community members to engage in informal conversations with the senator and each other about issues facing the region and the state.

The event is open to any resident of the 30^th District, which includes parts of Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, North Chicago, Wheeling, Gurnee, Park City, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Beach Park.

Residents interested in more information on future Coffee & Connect sessions and other upcoming events, visit www.SenatorAdrianeJohnson.com or connect with Senator Johnson on Facebook and Twitter.

Back in business

After nearly 15 months, we have now reached the time we have all longed for: Our state reopening. As of Friday, Illinois has entered Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan – and that’s all thanks to you.

We appreciate the work each of you have done to get us where we are today. From the health care workers who endured the toughest years of their careers, to the essential workers who put their health on the line to keep businesses running – and everyone who masked up, social distanced and gotten vaccinated – each of you played a part in the state’s reopening and the lifted capacity limits.

Here’s what Phase 5 will look like:

• Businesses across all industries—including bars, restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, live music venues, and indoor and outdoor recreational spaces—can return to full operations for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Festivals, conventions and other large events can resume.
• Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask except where required by local business and workplace guidance.

For a full list of reopening guidelines, click here.

Senate returns for clean energy session

The Illinois Senate will return to the Capitol on Tuesday, June 15 for the purpose of voting on clean energy legislation that would set Illinois on a path to a nation-leading renewable energy plan.

“This is a landmark clean energy plan that both protects thousands of jobs and moves Illinois responsibly toward the future,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon.

To stay up-to-date on this and other key issues, visit www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com.

Copyright 2021 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

GARDNER – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is pleased to announce the Gardner Fire Protection District will receive funding through the Small Equipment Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal for equipment upgrades.

“Having the right safety equipment is critical for first responders,” Joyce said. “This grant program is a tremendous resource that helps meet basic equipment needs for local fire departments to fight fires and save lives.”

The Small Equipment Grant Program was established by OSFM to provide grants of up to $26,000 to support small firefighting and ambulance equipment purchases. A total of $3.3 million was awarded to 149 fire departments and EMS providers across the state through the program.

The Gardner Fire Protection District will receive $17,480.

“Departments have had to make tough financial decisions, especially this year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring our first responders in Illinois have properly functioning lifesaving equipment they need to perform their duties safely, while protecting their communities, is our top priority. The Small Equipment Grant Program helps reduce the burden on smaller departments/districts while replacing aging and sometimes failing small equipment,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. 

A complete list of recipients and awards can be found on the OSFM website.

GLENVIEW – Families in Evanston, Glenview and Wilmette will benefit from a combined $3.3 million investment in walking and biking paths and street improvements, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced Monday.

“Investments in local transportation and infrastructure are investments in our community,” Senator Fine said. “Illinoisans should have countless safe options to travel recreationally and professionally.”

Residents of the North Shore will see a number of improvements, including to Main Street in Evanston; the Milwaukee Avenue pedestrian signal in Glenview; and U.S. Route 41, Skokie Boulevard, and pedestrian and bicycle lanes in Wilmette.

These projects are part of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, for which the Illinois Department of Transportation has selected 99 projects totaling $105.7 million. Projects receiving funding in this round of investment include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification, and other projects designed to encourage safe travel across the various modes of transportation at the local level.

"These projects will add to the quality of life in the 9th District," Senator Fine said. "I am looking forward to seeing the enhanced benefits of the improved walking and biking paths and streets.”

East St. Louis – To encourage summer reading, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) is launching a Summer Reading Club for children and young people who live in the 57th State Senate District.

Belt is launching the club to counteract summer learning loss, which occurs when students “turn off their brains” during the summer months.

“It’s important for kids to become stronger readers to succeed in school and life,” Belt said. “I hope this book club encourages healthy brain development and lifelong learning.”

Studies indicate that 2 months of reading skills and 2 ½ months of math skills are lost over a single summer.

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books and return the form to Belt’s office by Aug. 11. Senator Belt will host a pizza party for everyone who finishes reading their books. 

“Youth activities have always been one of my top priorities,” Belt said. “This program will keep the students’ minds alert during the summer months.”

To receive a book club form, visit SenatorBelt.com to download and print the form. Parents can also contact the district office at 618-875-1212.

Belt urges interested residents to call his office with any additional questions.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the success of a law to provide more efficient ways for people to cast their ballot from home during the peak of the pandemic, a new proposal to make voting by mail permanently more accessible was signed into law.

“This keeps in place a number of voter conveniences that have proven popular,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “It’s a great example of lawmakers listening to the diverse voices of voters and taking steps to maintain and encourage voter participation.”

ROCKFORD – The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal announced the recipients of the 2021 Small Equipment Grant Program, and State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is pleased to share $26,000 in grant money is going to the Blackhawk Fire Protection District.

“I am happy to see additional funding go toward our fire departments,” Stadelman said. “The men and women that work hard to protect us from fires and other emergencies deserve to have the right tools for the job.”

The Small Equipment Grant Program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. Their purpose is to allow eligible applicants to purchase small equipment that they may otherwise not be able to afford.

Most Illinois fire departments, fire protections districts, township fire departments, and stand-alone, nonprofit ambulance service providers were eligible to apply. All fire departments, fire protections districts and township fire department applicants were required to have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System for a minimum of two years prior to applying.

The full list of grants can be found here.