SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura is championing new legislation to establish the Science in Elementary Schools Task Force in Illinois.

“Science is just as essential as language arts and math, that’s why teaching accurate information daily that’s both useful and human centered can create a baseline for higher education in the sciences,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “By establishing the standards in this task force, my goal is to ensure future generations know about the human body and how it relates to the environment and vice versa.”

The task force will identify age-appropriate education to add to current curriculum for anatomy, physiology and nutrition.

The proposed additional curriculum aims to empower students with the knowledge to understand their own bodies and care for their health.

“With other states taking away knowledge from their educational systems, we hope to empower students with as much information as possible,” said Ventura.

Senate Bill 2354 passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday and now heads to the Senate floor.

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.”