Ventura: Local schools to receive over $5.6 million in evidence-based funding

JOLIET — State Senator Rachel Ventura announced that over a dozen school districts across the area will receive over $5.6 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“The evidence-based funding formula has continually invested in classrooms across the state and has a proven track record of helping schools that need it most,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Regardless of ZIP code or financial status, Illinois remains committed to providing the best high equality education for students.”

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Ventura announces funding opportunity for fire departments

JOLIET – State Senator Rachel Ventura joined the Office of the State Fire Marshal in announcing applications are now being accepted for the Small Equipment Grant Program.

“Our first responders are essential to keeping our communities safe, and without the proper gear they need they could be putting themselves and their communities in danger,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “I highly encourage fire departments and nonprofit ambulance services in the 43^rd District to apply to this grant program so that they will be protected while on the job and be able to help better protect residents.”

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Ventura responds to court-ordered transfer of Stateville incarcerated individuals

JOLIET – Following  a federal judge’s ruling that the Illinois Department of Corrections must move most of the incarcerated individuals out of the Stateville Correctional Center by the end of September, State Senator Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet) released the following statement:

“After working intimately with system impacted individuals at Stateville, I recognize how important educational programs are at the facility. As the state transitions individuals out of Stateville, I am advocating for them to be placed in facilities that meet their needs, including those pertaining to education, accessibility and workforce and restorative justice programming.

“I encourage the Department of Corrections to work with all stakeholders, including AFSCME, universities, families and restorative justice programs to make sure the transition fulfills the needs of those impacted.

“We must keep stakeholders, families and employees in mind during this transition and be cognizant of their limitations and financial barriers when it comes to transporting these individuals and job relocation. I will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure all parties are given full transparency.”

Ventura law to address vacant and surplus state-owned properties

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura led a recently signed bipartisan law to address surplus state-owned properties by curating a report on its condition.

“The report under this law will give us the much needed insight into each state property’s maintenance and demolition costs to determine what to do with them in the future,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We have an obligation financially and environmentally to address the numerous state-owned properties that have either been vacant or unused, which in turn wastes taxpayer dollars through maintenance and security costs.”

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