SPRINGFIELD – Local governments are now able to apply for a portion of nearly $80 million in grants to update critical infrastructure and jumpstart further economic development in the South Suburbs, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) announced Tuesday.

“This grant money serves as an opportunity for local governments to spur economic growth,” Hastings said. “Through this program, DCEO has provided an avenue to both improve critical infrastructure and create jobs in our communities.”

Through a competitive selection process, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will distribute funding to local governments to support projects that will help generate jobs, expand economic opportunity and encourage new development.

DCEO has allocated $50 million for public infrastructure investments, $16.5 million for regional economic development projects and $13 million to prepare sites for construction. Potential projects also include improvements to utility lines and waste disposal systems, land and building acquisition, and architectural planning and engineering design.

Applications for public infrastructure grants must be submitted by June 30, but others will be accepted on a rolling basis. Available grants, project guidelines and application materials can be found here.

For additional information on these funds, prospective applicants can visit DCEO’s website here. Interested parties can send questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 217-785-6174.

SPRINGFIELD – Local governments will be able to apply to receive a portion of nearly $80 million in grants to boost economic development and modernize infrastructure in their communities, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced Tuesday.

“By offering local governments the chance to invest in themselves, we’re continuing to demonstrate a commitment to downstate,” Koehler said. “When downstate thrives, Illinois thrives.”

Through a competitive selection process, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will distribute funding to local governments to support projects that will help generate jobs, expand economic opportunity and encourage new development.

DCEO has allocated $50 million for public infrastructure investments, $16.5 million for regional economic development projects and $13 million to prepare sites for construction. Potential projects also include improvements to utility lines and waste disposal systems, land and building acquisition, and architectural planning and engineering design.

Applications for public infrastructure grants must be submitted by June 30, but others will be accepted on a rolling basis. Available grants, project guidelines and application materials can be found here.

For additional information on these funds, prospective applicants can visit DCEO’s website here. Interested parties can send questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 217-785-6174.

Senate President Don Harmon praised the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s announcement that local governments, economic development organizations, non-profit organizations, and private companies will be able to compete for $80 million dollars to improve local economies.

“This is an investment in local communities throughout our great state,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon. “These projects will build a better Illinois. The bipartisan success we’ve seen with Gov. Pritzker shows what we can do when Illinois works together.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) has introduced a bill that would make a civil no contact order permanent if an individual is criminally convicted of sexual assault.

Under current law, sexual assault survivors must see their alleged assailants in court every two years to renew their no contact orders.

“Survivors of sexual assault have to live day in and day out with the trauma caused by assault,” Stadelman said. “The least we can do to help them, is not to force them to relive their trauma every two years.”

The legislation is an initiative of the City of Rockford. 

“If an individual believes that it’s in the best interest of their safety to extend an order of no contact against their criminally convicted perpetrator, they should have the right to do so,” Stadelman said. “People should have the right to feel safe in their daily lives without having to endlessly go to court.”

The City of Rockford worked with the Rockford Sexual Assault Counsel (RSAC), which suggested the lifetime order of protection. Similar protections are already in place for stalking victims.

Senate Bill 3617 awaits a Senate committee assignment.

SPRINGFIELD – Frustrated by the lack of women in government and politics, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) passed a measure out of the Senate allowing political campaign funds to be used for child-care expenses.

“Highly qualified and experienced women and other young parents are being locked out of politics because of the cost of child care,” Bush said. “This legislation will allow talented people to run for office, work in politics, and volunteer their time without worrying about finding affordable child care.”

Collins calls for action on gender-based violence, economic opportunity, health care

SPRINGFIELD – Convened to study and recommend legislative solutions to systemic problems women face in all parts of life, the Illinois Council on Women and Girls issued its first report yesterday.

The report, available in full here, highlights the barriers women face under the law and makes 14 specific recommendations related to gender-based violence, academic and economic opportunity, leadership and inclusion, and health care.

SPRINGFIELD – With clean energy discussions at the top of the agenda in Springfield this legislative session, State Sen. Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) set the table this morning with the first public hearing to fully debate these complex issues.

“This morning we kicked off what is sure to be a long, thought provoking process as we decide where we need to improve our energy policy,” Hastings said. “Seeking solutions to these incredibly complex issues is going to take time and effort on the part of all stakeholders, and I’m thankful that they took the time to provide thoughtful testimony as we work to improve our energy efficiency across the state.”

In 2015, when Illinois passed the Future Energy Jobs Act, requirements were set forth to help make Illinois more clean energy dependent. Unfortunately these standards are not being met today.

SPRINGFIELD – After years of negotiations, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) and Gov. JB Pritzker today jointly announced the state has agreed to move forward with a new future for the dormant Tinley Park Mental Health Center.

Since the center’s closure in 2012, negotiations have been ongoing between the Village of Tinley Park and the State of Illinois.

But Sen. Hastings and local officials kept negotiating, knowing it is in the best interest of the State of Illinois and the Village of Tinley Park to develop the property for future economic use.