ROMEOVILLE – State Senator Rachel Ventura recently announced that Valley View Community Unit School District 365U received a $40,000 grant to allow it to expand arts or foreign language classes.

“Whether it be for aid in teacher planning or professional development, I am pleased to see efforts in funding local schools districts like Valley View,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “I commend the Illinois Art Council and Illinois State Board of Education for putting a focus on such an important program that will give thousands of students a better school experience and make memories for a lifetime.”

Valley View School District 365U serves students from Bolingbrook, Romeoville and portions of Plainfield, Lockport and Downers Grove, and serves the educational needs of approximately 18,000 students in 21 educational facilities.

JOLIET – To emphasize the importance of learning throughout the summer, State Senator Rachel Ventura is hosting a Summer Book Club.

“Reading keeps students engaged throughout the summer. I encourage students of all ages will take advantage of this program to make reading a habit and be rewarded for it,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This is a great way to keep kids actively learning. Developing a love of reading at a young age is key to a child's development and to increase their desire to read.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form and return the form to Senator Ventura’s office by Aug. 16.

Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card for a frozen treat from a local ice cream shop from Senator Ventura.

Ventura encourages residents of the 43rd District to participate in the program and visit their local library. Summer Book Club forms will soon be available at the following participating libraries:

• Woodridge Public Library
• Fountaindale Public Library District
• Joliet Public Library District
• Three Rivers Public Library District
• Manhattan-Elwood Public Library
• White Oak Library District
• Shorewood-Troy Public Library

Summer Book Club forms are also available to download at SenatorVentura.com as well as contact information for the libraries. People with questions can reach out to Ventura’s office at (331) 290-0443.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the passage of the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, State Senator Rachel Ventura stated that this budget is pointing in the right direction but has a long way to go.

“The budget relieves Illinoisans of the grocery tax and provides increased funding for the child tax credit in addition to increasing taxes on the sportsbooks gambling companies to pay for this,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Taxing the rich to create economic stability for working families is the right direction. However, the increase in net operating losses that large businesses and corporations can write off is now at $500,000 and should have been capped at $50,000. The increases to the child tax credit needs to be expanded to more families and I will continue to advocate for it. To invest in the needs of Illinois, we need to tax the rich and limit tax incentives and credits to the well off. Our tax dollars need to work for everyone.”

The budget includes investments for $50 million for a child tax credit for eligible low-income families with earned income tax credit (EITC) as well as wage increases for direct support professionals (DSP) and Community Care Program workers (CCP) and increased funds for safety net hospitals.

“Millions of working families across the state are struggling to make ends meet and this budget shifts tax dollars to stabilize our economy through better paying jobs and increasing the child tax credit,” said Ventura. “Not only are there major investments for early education, but also higher education. Investing in resources that afford everyone with the opportunity to receive a quality education, regardless of their ZIP Code, is vital to ensure our youth is prepared for what comes after school.”

Additionally, the budget includes funding to allow nearly all community college students and nearly half of public university students at or below median income levels to have their tuition and fees covered through MAP and federal Pell Grants.

“In addition to increasing pay for direct support professionals and in-home providers, one of my priorities was to expand funds for planting native trees and grasses to store carbon, and I am thrilled that $5 million has been allocated to fund a grant program for local government and nonprofits to do so,” said Ventura.

The budget passed the Senate Sunday.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura released the following statement after voting on Senate Bill 1289, also known as the SAFE CCS Act, on Sunday:

“While I recognize the positive efforts this measure has presented to ban enhanced oil recovery and include a 2 year moratorium on CO2 pipelines for federal rules, I have concerns regarding safety, farmers’ protections, greenwashing and the lack of science that assures the storage of carbon.

“As an environment advocate, I encourage natural means to store carbon, which have been scientifically proven, such as planting native grasses and trees. As the language of the bill stands, I believe this measure will also delay transitioning away from fossil fuels, hence my present vote.

“I ultimately believe the state should ban CO2 pipelines with carbon capture and storage, but I understand there are some improvements this bill addresses.”