CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) was named chair of the Illinois Senate Human Rights Committee on Monday.

“I promise to be a fighter for the voices that have been left out of the conversation,” Villanueva said. “Our friends and neighbors are counting on us to uphold their dignity and push for equity, and I will be there every step of the way.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham is congratulating the Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens in Palos Heights on winning a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to give local 6-8 graders experience with prairie restoration.

“I want to thank the Lake Katherine Nature Center for giving local students the opportunity to experience nature and learn about Illinois’ natural history,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “I also appreciate their efforts to restore our natural environment for the public to enjoy.”

OAKBROOK TERRACE – Salt Creek Primary School in Elmhurst and Stella May Swartz Elementary School in Oakbrook Terrace have received Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Grants to fund the creation of butterfly gardens at each school, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) announced.

“Creating interactive, educational spaces at our schools will teach children the importance of taking care of their environment,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Butterfly gardens will provide students with a hands-on learning opportunity about many aspects of nature including insects, pollination and native plants in Illinois.”

CHICAGO — State Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), who spearheaded the state’s comprehensive criminal justice reform package, is joining a well-known union group, the Illinois AFL-CIO, in disproving misinformation about House Bill 3653.

“Following dozens of hours of testimony during the fall months, I was proud to spearhead this measure to bridge the racial and socioeconomic divide in our criminal justice system, while keeping people safe,” Sims said. “There is a ton of misinformation about this legislation which says it will hinder the work of law enforcement officers — and that is simply not true. Most of the pieces of this measure are already in place at many law enforcement agencies.”

The bill does a number of things to help both law enforcement officers and at-risk communities. It amplifies law enforcement training standards and addresses officer wellness and mental health awareness.

PARK FOREST – The annual Conservation Achievement Scholarship is now accepting applications, and State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) encourages eligible Illinois high school seniors to apply.

“The price of attending college is a very serious concern for many students and families,” Joyce said. “This scholarship opportunity is a chance to help students lessen the burden of college debt – I hope every eligible high school senior applies.”

The Conservation Achievement Scholarship will award up to four scholarships of $2,000 each for the 2021-2022 school year. These scholarships are one-time awards that are not renewable. The scholarship funds may be used for tuition, college or university fees, textbooks, or room and board. Funds are mailed directly to the college or university of the successful applicant.

Applications are due March 1. Awardees will be selected based on their contributions to Illinois’ natural resources throughout their high school enrollment. Applicants must possess a 2.5 grade point average or better on a 4.0 scale, or a 3.1 grade point average or better on a 5.0 scale. Students must also be enrolling in a two- or four-year college or university in the calendar year of their high school graduation.

The application form is available online at the Illinois Conservation Foundation’s website. Questions should be addressed to the Illinois Conservation Foundation at 217-785-2003 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

DOLTON – As small businesses continue to suffer from the national health crisis, State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) is honored to announces that a combined 86 local businesses were awarded over a million dollars during the second round of the Business Interruption Grant program.

“Small businesses play an important role in supporting their local communities but have had a time tough time staying relevant amongst this pandemic,” Harris said. “Many of these businesses have little cash on hand or resources to buffer even with a minor financial infraction, so it’s vital that we provide them with the financial assistance to continue to bolster our local economies.”

CHICAGO –Taft Freshman Academy has received an Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Grant to fund a pollinator garden at the school, State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) announced.

“Physical, hands-on learning is one of the best ways to engage children in their education,” Martwick said. “This project will help students learn about natural habitats and ecology by interacting with the many species that call their garden home.”

The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Fund to support the development or enhancement of wildlife habitat on school grounds or other public places. Projects funded by these grants are meant to teach children that their actions can make a difference in the world while increasing the use of native plants in Illinois.

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign Downtown Commercial District is one of 12 Illinois sites added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Wednesday.

“This designation is a tremendous recognition of the historic structures that continue to serve as part of the Downtown Commercial District in Champaign,” Bennett said. “I’m thrilled to see our community being recognized with this distinct honor for its history and architecture.”