Ventura secures over quarter of a billion dollars for infrastructure upgrade in Will County

JOLIET - To address resident concerns, fix aging roads and bridges, and bring good jobs to Will County, State Senator Rachel Ventura secured over $385 million to upgrade, replace and repair local infrastructure.

“We are upgrading our roads and bridges in our community, in turn bringing good jobs and development in a time of economic uncertainty,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “I am proud to say our state is putting tax dollars to use fixing problems that our constituents have been concerned about for a long time.”

The largest multi-year program to build and repair infrastructure in state history will invest $50.6 billion over six years, continuing an unprecedented investment in safety, mobility and quality of life made possible by the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. IDOT’s new multi-year program is both comprehensive and multimodal, with investments in roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations touching every Illinois county.

Ventura’s district will receive more than $385 million for 34 projects slated for completion in 2026. This is part of a $1.2 billion investment over the next five years. The largest of these upgrades will include a new bridge reconstruction to the Des Plaines River Bridge with an estimated cost of nearly $146 million.

"Under Gov. Pritzker, our investments in transportation are doing more than ever to connect people to the meaningful destinations in their lives,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi.  “This new multi-year construction program will not only create jobs and economic opportunity, but it will also improve quality of life in Illinois – making it easier to walk and bike, catch a bus, deliver goods, and get you safely from where you are to where you need to be.”

A full list of projects in the 43^rd District can be found here.

Ventura-backed $185,000 grant for new park in Channahon Park District bears fruit

CHANNAHON – Time spent outside, in nature and with their peers can bring lifelong memories and benefits to children and their families, which is why State Senator Rachel Ventura fought to secure funding for the Channahon Park District’s DuPage Park renovations. The Park District held a ribbon-cutting for the park Tuesday.

“I am proud that our community is improving public spaces for children and their families to experience the outdoors,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This ribbon-cutting marks the completion of all four neighborhood parks — DuPage, Louie Moorman, Swifton and Potawatomi — which are ready for our community to enjoy.”

The new DuPage Park is funded by an $185,000 grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity secured by Senator Ventura.

“’The playground is where friendships are forged and imaginations soar.’ Thanks to Senator Ventura's efforts, the Channahon Park District has received the necessary funding to continue being a premier provider of fun experiences that impact lives,” said Michael J. Leonard, Executive Director of Channahon Park District. “The Channahon Park District is deeply grateful for her dedication to the community and partnership in creating opportunities to play.”

To view information about the neighborhood parks and other projects at the Channahon Park District, click here.

Ventura opposes new DOC mail scanning rule

JOLIET – Amid ongoing discussions on how to address illicit substances coming into Illinois prisons by mail, State Senator Rachel Ventura criticized the Illinois Department of Corrections’ decision to electronically scan and withhold mail from incarcerated people.

“The way the emergency rule is being implemented by the Illinois Department of Corrections is a poorly thought out response that does not serve the needs of incarcerated people nor properly protect staff at our prison facilities,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “DOC has dragged their feet every step of the way on addressing the illicit mail issue, and this latest decision was a rushed stopgap to a problem the legislature has been trying to solve for years.”

The legislative oversight panel formally objected to DOC’s decision to withhold mail from incarcerated people and instead deliver electronically scanned copies of external correspondence they receive. Several lawmakers had expressed their dissatisfaction with this direction via letter.

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Ventura law to address shortage of behavioral health practitioners

SPRINGFIELD – To address workforce gaps in the behavioral health care workforce across the state, State Senator Rachel Ventura worked alongside State Representative Nabeela Syed on House Bill 3487, which was signed into law Friday.

“Our state’s rural areas continue to suffer due to a lack of mental health professionals,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Accurate and recent data can greatly assist in addressing the behavioral health care workforce needs we have in this state. When we know the totality of the situation, we can come up with better solutions, such as grants or improved training programs to help this essential field.”

House Bill 3487 requires the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to request voluntary demographic and employment data — including primary language, anticipated retirement year and ZIP code — when individuals apply for or renew behavioral health licenses. The goal is to generate more accurate data to better understand and address service gaps across Illinois.

"The shortage of social workers, counselors, therapists and other caregivers that Illinois' mental health community has had to make up for – and Illinois mental health patients have had to live with – demands a strong response," said Syed (D-Inverness). "Without data, we can't make forward progress, and currently there is simply not enough information on behavioral health practitioners to accurately craft new approaches. I'm proud to join my colleagues in the Senate to work to correct that and ensure Illinoisans get the care they need."

House Bill 3487 was signed into law Aug. 15, and goes into effect immediately.