JOLIET – With support from State Senator Rachel Ventura, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recently announced the latest round of Back to Business grants awarded to businesses in the restaurant industry.

“Businesses and restaurants have endured a multitude of challenges in the past few years, and these grants will help them recover,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “As we navigate inflation in a post-pandemic economy, this funding will aid struggling business owners and put them on a path to flourish once again.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest-hit industries. Seven restaurants in Ventura’s district will receive a combined total of $255,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

“It was our restaurants and small businesses who were at the forefront of feeding our communities during the pandemic when travel was limited,” said Ventura. “I will continue to prioritize small business owners across the 43^rd district and listen to their concerns.”

For more information about B2B grants visit DCEO’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura spearheaded a new law that will expand greater access to broadband at all public schools and libraries in the state.

“High-speed internet is at the forefront of all parts of our lives – from work to school, and everything in between,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This bill takes the first step towards improving high quality, fiberoptic broadband throughout all of Illinois by developing the ‘middle mile’ and making sure there is public sector option.”

Instead of handing the nearly $1.2 Billion in federal funding over to internet giants, Ventura wants to create competition in the market place and use those taxpayer dollars to reduce costs for Illinois families.

The Illinois Century Network (ICN) is a state-owned and operated broadband network that provides the fastest Internet connectivity available in our state to thousands of sites statewide, ensuring availability for cloud-based content, disaster recovery services, data, video and audio communications.

“Broadband access should be treated like a public utility,” said Ventura. “We all use it and we need to take this moment to modernize Illinois’ infrastructure if we want to be competitive in attracting businesses to our state.”

Senate Bill 851 will require the Broadband Advisory Council to conduct a feasibility study to determine best practices for expanding connections to all public schools, public libraries and state-owned correctional facilities, as well as how to connect to all remaining anchor institutions to the Illinois Century Network. The study will be due Jan. 1, 2024, with a goal of implementing the findings to increase speeds up to one gig.

“We must mend the digital divide facing far too many communities in Illinois,” said Ventura. “Our goal is to move the state forward toward greater inclusivity and accessibility.”

Senate Bill 851 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect immediately.

JOLIET – State Senator Rachel Ventura took part in the Illinois Girls Lead Program by welcoming Lockport Township student Sofia Reyes to shadow her earlier this month. The program was launched by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton for girls in 5th-12th grades interested in policy and government affairs.

“Programs like the Illinois Girls Lead Program are crucial to our state to keep future generations engaged and involved in their communities,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Having a shadow like Sofia gave me the opportunity to showcase all the hard work that legislators do to ensure that residents’ concerns are heard.”

The Illinois Girls Lead Program is centered on imparting social and leadership skills, as well as aiming to open opportunities for career exploration and discussions around education pathways.

“As leaders, we can build the pathways to uplift young girls in achieving their dreams and reaching their goals. The Girls Lead Program is an opportunity for girls in middle school and high school from across our state to learn first-hand what it is like to work in government and policy, and how civic engagement can make a positive impact on so many lives," said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. “This educational experience through the Girls Lead Program not only teaches young girls the hard work and dedication needed for this work, but also provides the support and inspiration that will create the women leaders of tomorrow.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura championed a new measure that will protect vulnerable individuals from deceitful tactics in legal proceedings.

“Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect when being interrogated, but too often, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not afforded these same basic human rights,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Every Illinoisan has the right to be treated as humanely as possible in the interrogation room. Under this law, these vulnerable communities will be rightfully protected.”

Currently, a confession by a minor during a custodial interrogation is presumed to be inadmissible if the law enforcement or juvenile officer knowingly engages in deception. Ventura’s measure expands the definition of a “protected person” in these instances to include both minors and people with severe or profound intellectual disabilities.

“For far too long there were not enough protections in place for people with disabilities in police proceedings,” said Ventura. “We need to build trust with our police and move toward safe and practical measures that don’t prey on vulnerable members of society and penalize them for not understanding interrogation tactics.”

House Bill 3253 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2024.