CHICAGO — State Senators Christopher Belt and Mike Simmons expressed support for a new grant program under the Illinois Grocery Initiative that was announced Tuesday. Paired with the Equipment Upgrades Program, the initiatives are a $20 million effort to address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in Illinois.

“As a proud supporter of equitable access to nutritious food, I’m thrilled to learn of the latest steps the Illinois Grocery Initiative has made in combating food insecurity statewide,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “The Equipment Upgrades Program and the New Stores in Food Deserts Program represent critical investments in our communities, providing vital support to independent, nonprofit and co-op grocery stores. Today’s announcement reaffirms our commitment to ensuring no resident goes without affordable, healthy food.”

The New Stores in Food Deserts Program will offer competitive grants to encourage the establishment of new grocery stores in USDA-defined food deserts. Awards can range between $160,000 and $2.4 million, with a 1:3 match requirement from businesses. Grocery stores must be located in a food desert, earn less than 30% of revenue from alcohol and tobacco sales, accept SNAP and WIC and contribute to diversity of fresh foods available in the community.

SPRINGFIELD — By 2050, global demand for meat is expected to rise by 50%, and meeting this demand with conventional protein options alone would accelerate pollution and drain limited resources. To proactively explore Illinois’ sustainable protein options, State Senator Mattie Hunter has been appointed co-chair of the Illinois Alternative Protein Innovation Task Force.

“After advancing legislation to create the Alternative Protein Innovation Task Force, I value the opportunity to join in on this valuable work,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This unique opportunity allows us to explore groundbreaking solutions to concerns in the agriculture sector that align with our commitment to sustainability and economic growth.” 

The task force is set up to explore different protein sources and assess their potential benefits, with the ultimate goal of understanding how alternative proteins — like plant-based protein, cultivated meat and fermented proteins — could boost the economy, create jobs and reduce the environmental impacts of traditional meat production.

CHICAGO—State Senator Lakeisha Collins is proud that tastytrade, an online brokerage company, is not only expanding their headquarters in her district, but also donating $600,000 to the Greenwood Project, a non-profit organization giving underserved college students the tools to start financial careers.

“With the expansion of tastytrade in the Fulton Market community, Chicago residents will see new opportunities to continue their careers and lives in Illinois,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Alongside their expansion is an exciting investment in the Greenwood Project, an excellent organization connecting students with opportunities that put them on a path toward meaningful and sustainable careers. I am excited to see these investments in our communities and look forward to the new job opportunities available to Illinois residents.”

Tastytrade was founded and created in Chicago, and was later sold. While the company is no longer a startup, its leadership frequently calls back to its roots by investing back into the Chicago community and offering opportunities to hopeful financial experts in the area. The new office space in Fulton Market covers 35,000 square feet and includes a live broadcast studio for production of financial market content.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Lakesia Collins is pushing for a measure known as Liam’s Law to provide better bereavement support measures to parents experiencing perinatal and infant loss.

“This legislation is a continuation of our efforts to provide more options to families when perinatal loss occurs,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Requiring hospitals to notify parents of their rights is the least they can do during such painful circumstances.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman’s legislation aimed at combatting electronic stalking has successfully passed the Senate and advances to the House.

“Electronic stalking is a serious threat to the safety and well-being of individuals,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “It is incumbent on us to take meaningful action to address this issue.”

Electronic stalking, a form of harassment and intimidation facilitated through various digital platforms and communication channels, has become increasingly prevalent in today’s society.

SPRINGFIELD – Nicotine companies marketing to kids is nothing new but now they’re creating vapes that are designed to appear to be school supplies, like a highlighter. State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to prevent these products from being advertised to children.

“The dangerous and addictive nature of nicotine consumption is the reason I have taken a strong stand on this issue,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We should do everything in our power to make it impossible for children to obtain and conceal tobacco products.”

Educators have complained to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services about finding electronic cigarettes on school property that are designed to look like school supplies such as highlighters, erasers and pencil sharpeners. Senate Bill 2662 would prohibit the advertising, marketing or promoting of an electronic cigarette in a manner that is likely to cause an adult to mistake it for an object that is anything other than what it is, a tobacco product.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel championed a measure through the Senate that would protect youth from the dangers of vaping by prohibiting e-cigarettes from being shipped to anyone in the state.

“Students can easily buy e-cigarettes on the internet, including ones that look like school supplies,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “These vapes make it hard for teachers to decipher what it is. We have to take the necessary steps to protect our kids from the risks e-cigarettes pose on their health.”

Senate Bill 3098 would prohibit electronic cigarettes purchased by mail, online or through other remote sale methods from being shipped to anyone in the state other than a distributor or retailer. Loughran Cappel’s initiative comes in response to students obtaining e-cigarettes that are designed to look like everyday objects, such as highlighters.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner spearheaded a measure through the Senate that would hold funeral homes accountable by reestablishing integrity and trust in the death care industry. Her legislation, Senate Bill 2643, comes in response to a Carlinville funeral home insufficiently handling human remains, giving over 60 families the wrong remains.

“The status quo isn’t working. Dead or alive, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “I’m committed to holding bad actors accountable. No family should receive the dreaded call that they were given the wrong remains.”

Senate Bill 2643 would add identification rules and regulations for the handling and storing of human bodies. When the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation receives a complaint, the agency would be required to inspect the premises within 10 calendar days.