News

Originally published by Shaw Local on Dec. 21, 2024. 

Joliet will try to use its eminent domain power to help NorthPoint Development get land for its massive warehouse project amid complaints that the city is going too far to accommodate the developer.

Adding to the intrigue is that the targeted property is owned by CenterPoint Properties, a rival developer that is in court trying to block the NorthPoint project.

Essentially, the city would be using its power to seize property for the public good in a way that would benefit one private developer over its competitor and advance a project that faces intense public opposition.

“Eminent domain should be used sparingly and only for the benefit of the public,” state Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, told the City Council before it voted on the eminent domain measure Tuesday.

BOLINGBROOK – State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Dagmara Avelar are partnering up with Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian) to host a Holiday Turkey giveaway for those in Bolingbrook on Dec. 18.

“Giving back to the community in any way we can has been a priority of mine since entering office,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We want families in need to know they have holiday meal options, including food pantries, available in the district to help food insecurity. I’m grateful we could partner together and make the holidays happier for our community.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Rachel Ventura pushed for the CURE Act to receive support at the House Mental Health & Addiction Committee hearing on “Psychedelics as Behavioral Health Treatment” Tuesday to shed light on the potential of psychedelics to alleviate mental health, addiction, PTSD and trauma issues.

The hearing included insight from behavioral health professionals and consumers, along with testimony on the importance of House Bill 1/Senate Bill 3695, known as the Illinois CURE Act sponsored by State Representative La Shawn K. Ford and Ventura.

“The Illinois CURE Act can save countless lives – integrated therapy-based sessions following exposure would create real change in an individual’s life who has exhausted other methods previously. Psilocybin would open new pathways in the brain to help pinpoint things that need to be worked on,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “During this subject matter hearing my colleagues and I had the opportunity to explain that plant medicine, such as psilocybin, has long been stigmatized. I am dedicated to this bipartisan collaboration and remain hopeful that we can pass this historic legislation that would aid not only veterans, but all Illinoisans, suffering from mental illnesses, PTSD, substance abuse and more.”

CHICAGO – State Representative Lindsey LaPointe, Chair of the House Mental Health & Addiction Committee, will host a hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 10 on “Psychedelics as Behavioral Health Treatment”, to shed light on the potential of psychedelics to alleviate mental health, addiction, PTSD and trauma issues. The hearing will include insight from behavioral health professionals and consumers, along with testimony on the importance of House Bill 1/Senate Bill 3695, known as the Illinois CURE Act sponsored by State Representative La Shawn K. Ford and State Senator Rachel Ventura.