SPRINGFIELD – To allow local governments to undertake grant projects when the time is best for their community, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) introduced a measure to give park districts more time to complete projects funded through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program. 

“As communities recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, local governments are getting back on track with their long-term project goals,” Murphy said. “Our park districts are best positioned to decide when it makes sense for their community to start taking on new projects again.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which administers the OSLAD grant program, provides an advance payment of 50% of the grant value upon awarding the grant. State law requires grantees to complete projects within two years of receiving grant funds, meaning that park districts have just two years after this advance payment to complete projects.

The legislation Murphy has proposed would allow park districts to opt out of advance payments on OSLAD grants, delaying the start of the two-year grant timeline and giving them more authority over when to begin projects.

In addition to allowing park districts more freedom on future projects, Murphy’s initiative would also provide more flexibility on active grant projects by directing IDNR to consider requests by grant recipients to extend the deadline on the use of grant funds.

“Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic will take time. This legislation will ensure that park districts’ hard-earned grant funding will still be available when they’re ready to tackle new projects,” Murphy said.

Senate Bill 321 passed the Local Government Committee Tuesday and awaits consideration by the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – In a major step toward dismantling systemic inequality, fighting discrimination in the workplace and promoting growth in minority communities, legislation sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that eliminates barriers to economic access, equity and opportunity was signed into law Tuesday.

“Since this nation’s inception, there’s been a massive disparity in access to economic opportunity in America. This imbalance affects all aspects of life, especially housing and access to capital,” Belt said. “If the federal government won’t take the lead, Illinois will. It’s time our state reaches its full potential, giving Middle America a beacon to strive toward.”

In order to eliminate long-standing economic obstacles to Illinoisans of color, the reform package includes a series of measures addressing the third pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ anti-racism agenda—economic access, equity and opportunity—which is made up of nine parts:

• Banking and investment
• Economic mobility
• Small business and entrepreneurship
• Procurement and the Business Enterprise Program
• Industry-specific equity
• Environmental equity
• Housing, land use and gentrification
• Pay equity and workers’ rights
• Capital investments

To help address inequities in state procurement practices, the package of legislation would also create the Commission on Equity and Inclusion, which would be charged with developing a procurement scoring system to give minority contractors a boost when competing for procurement opportunities with state agencies and universities. The commission will also help provide support for diversity hiring and training initiatives at state agencies.

“Accepting nothing less than true equity is the only way we can ensure the success of minority workers and businesses,” Belt said. “A diverse business community makes our economic foundation deeper, broader and stronger. When we break down barriers to economic access and opportunity, Illinois benefits.”

SPRINGFIELD – Any municipality seeking to privatize its water company will be required to first receive approval from voters if Senate Bill 164 becomes law. State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport), sponsor of SB 164, joined the Citizens Utility Board and AFSCME to discuss the measure in a press conference Monday morning.

“There are communities right now in Illinois who have been fighting to get back control of their water systems from private companies, and they're not winning on behalf of their citizens,” Connor said. “Illinois private water companies are seeing record profits as a result of legislation that opened an express lane up for them to acquire public water systems from towns and villages.”

Senate President applauds expanded vaccines, path to re-opening

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) welcomed news of expanded vaccine access and plans to re-open the state’s economy.

“We’ve made it to this point thanks to modern science and the personal sacrifices of people all across this state. You’ve followed the rules and kept each other safe until a vaccine was widely available. Thank you.

“I urge everyone to remain patient and vigilant as we head into what is hopefully the final phase of this horrible pandemic.”

Read more.

Turner moves legislation to expand agricultural education for students

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Doris Turner’s (D-Springfield) plan to add agricultural sciences as a course to count toward the requirement for admission into Illinois public universities passed the Senate Higher Education Committee last week.

“The study of agriculture is vitally important, and our curricula should reflect that,” said Senator Turner. “The current exclusion as an option for a science course for admission is a huge disservice to students who plan to one day study and/or work in the field.”

Read more.

Martwick's legislation providing mental health days in school passes committee

SPRINGFIELD — To support students as rates of depression and suicide among young people rise, State Senator Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) is leading a measure that would allow them five excused absence days for mental health purposes each school year.

“Our focus on mental health needs to change,” Martwick said. “Students need to be able to prioritize their mental health and stability, and letting a kid take a day off can help in the long run.”

Read more.

We want your input on redistricing

The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus recently launched a series of statewide redistricting hearings, seeking public input as lawmakers begin the once-a-decade process of drawing new legislative boundaries to ensure communities receive equal representation. Senate Democrats are committed to a redistricting process guided by the principles of transparency, fairness and reflecting the diversity of Illinois.

This week, the Senate will host a number of those hearings. The dates are as follows:

• West Central Illinois: Monday, March 22 at 5 p.m.
  • This is a hybrid committee, so you can watch either online or in-person at 200 Peoria Civic Center, Room 200 in Peoria.
• Chicago South: Thursday, March 25 at 3 p.m. virtual
• Northwest Cook: Friday, March 26 at 1 p.m. virtual

To watch any of the committees, visit ilga.gov then click “audio/video” under the Senate tab at its start time. Additionally, if you would like to testify or submit written testimony to the Illinois State Senate Redistricting Committee or any of its subcommittees contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

There are also more hearings to come. Visit the “hearings” tab on our redistricting website at ilsenateredistricting.com to learn more.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Decatur Park District has been selected to receive $57,500 in state dollars through the Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) announced Friday.

“This is a great investment for the city of Decatur, especially as we head into the warmer months of the year,” Turner said. “This grant creates an opportunity for safe activities for families and outdoor enthusiasts. It also opens up a new form of transportation for residents, which is a major plus for cyclist.”

The Park District will use the grant funding to acquire 31.7 acres of land located in the northwest portion of Decatur. The land will allow for access to the current 10-foot-wide asphalt bike trail, which is 9.8 miles long with an additional 1.5 miles under development. The added land will help complete the final 2 miles of the Stevens Creek Bikeway.

The Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, has helped develop nearly 1,000 miles of local government bike trails in Illinois. This year, the program will fund seven bike path projects across the state totaling more than $800,000.

Learn more about the program, eligible projects and the application process here.

CREST HILL – Will County has been slated to receive just shy of $4 million in funding for construction projects over the next three years, State Senator John Connor (D-Crest Hill) announced.

“This funding will bring jobs to the Joliet, Bolingbrook, and Romeoville areas for the next few years and will result in reliable infrastructure throughout the county for years to come,” said Connor. “Not only will we have the opportunity to strengthen our roads and bridges thanks to these grants, but we will be able to strengthen our communities and our economy.”

CHICAGO – After a deadly, racially motivated shooting spree in Atlanta, Georgia, and an arrest outside of the U.S. Naval Conservatory, current home of the first Asian American Vice President, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is calling on his colleagues to pass public safety measures to help prevent another tragedy.

“We can’t wait for the next tragedy to act on gun violence,” Villivalam said. “Our communities are under attack. We need to enact common sense gun violence prevention policy to improve public safety for every community, especially those communities that are being specifically targeted.”

NAPERVILLE – With spring just around the corner and more Illinoisans spending time outside, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is congratulating the DuPage County Forest Preserve District on a $100,000 grant to build a new bike path.

“Bike paths play a large role in communities across the 21^st District and the state,” Ellman said. “I use the paths for walks and bike rides throughout the year, which is why I was thrilled to hear about this grant coming to our local forest preserve.”

The DuPage County Forest Preserve District will receive $100,000 to construct a quarter mile bike path along the forest preserve on the east side of Naperville-Plainfield Road. The path will connect a sidewalk along the Brighton Ridge subdivision to a path parking lot in the forest preserve. 

“This funding can help local governments develop and improve existing bike paths,” Ellman said. “Investing in bike paths offers residents additional opportunities for recreation and to simply get outside.”

The Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, was created in 1990 to provide grants to eligible local governments for projects that develop, rehabilitate or construct new bike paths. This year, the program will fund seven bike path projects across the state totaling more than $800,000.

More information about the program, eligible projects and the application process is available here.