JOLIET – With support from State Senator Rachel Ventura, Woodridge Park District, the Village of Shorewood and Channahon Park District are set to receive $1.5 million for land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects.

“As a former naturalist and former vice president of the Will County forest preserve, I can’t understate the importance of our outdoor spaces enough” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “When we put our planet first, we grow a community that will stay resilient for years to come.”

Nearly $60 million in grants were awarded to 118 local parks across Illinois through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants, administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This announcement includes the largest round of grants in the 36-year history of the program.

The Village of Shorewood will receive $600,000, Woodridge Park District will receive $600,000 and Channahon Park District will receive $300,000 to acquire and develop land for public parks and open space. OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that has become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois.

Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for more information on the OSLAD grants.

SPRINGFIELD – To end the misleading practice of fake “final notices,” State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced legislation from the Senate Judiciary Committee that requires senders to clearly post the intention of their mailing.

“Seniors and first-time homebuyers are often the victims of these misleading mailers,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We must end this dishonest business practice so that no one is tricked into purchasing goods or services they don’t need.”

When someone buys a car or home in Illinois, “final notice” letters regarding warranties, protection plans and insurance are often mailed out by third parties to scam recipients into providing information or buying products under the guise of maintaining their home or vehicle. Ventura’s legislation amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to require that senders clearly state that their mailing is not a bill but rather a solicitation of services.

Senate Bill 1440 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday and awaits further consideration before the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura filed a slate of legislation on issues covering criminal justice reform, the environment and more to start her first term representing Illinois’ 43^rd Senate District.

“Across the district I represent, I’ve witnessed the struggles that climate impact, a hardening economy and post-pandemic life place on working families,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Keeping polluters out of our communities, growing good-paying jobs, reforming our criminal justice system and expanding access to utilities are my top priorities, and I look forward to advocating for the solutions that meet the needs of our communities.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker delivered his FY24 budget proposal to the Illinois General Assembly:

“Recently I met a gentleman named Lawrence, who is experiencing housing instability. My office is assisting him in navigating the complex housing system to move from temporary shelter to being fully housed. The barricades that people like Lawrence face are extremely difficult to overcome, and the new Home Illinois program will help to address these systemic challenges. People like Lawrence need this help now, and the proposed funding for Home Illinois will expand homeless prevention services to nearly 5,000 more families across the state.