BOLINGBROOK– Addressing the upcoming public forums on Illinois American Water’s $152 million and Aqua Illinois’ $19 million rate-hike requests, State Senator Ventura – along with a bipartisan group of state legislators – joined Citizens Utility Board on Wednesday at a press conference to reject the rate hikes for private water customers in Illinois.

“Water is essential to all life. We cannot allow profits to be put over people,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “I believe water should never be privatized for this reason. I will continue to work with my colleagues to protect access to clean, affordable drinking water.”

JOLIET – To ensure local law enforcement agencies have the resources necessary to serve their communities, State Senator Rachel Ventura announced $107,000 in firearm enforcement grants were awarded to three local police departments by the Illinois State Police.

“Firearms pose a safety risk when in the possession of individuals who demonstrate a threat to themselves or others,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “These grants continue to fortify our safety procedures in local police departments and help keep our communities safe.”

The Illinois State Police issued a third round of firearm enforcement grants to local police departments Monday, with three agencies in Ventura’s district receiving a total of $107,096:

JOLIET – Following IDOT’s decision to allow Route 53 access for the three warehouses that NorthPoint has built, State Senator Rachel Ventura released the following statement:

“I am vehemently opposed to the decision to allow Northpoint access to Route 53. For years, residents across the district have strongly been against this project due to environmental and health concerns as well as the significant increased traffic that would come to an area that has already been burdened with increased trucking over the years.

“This decision directly impacts residents’ daily lives. I have reached out to IDOT to better understand why and how this decision was made despite my letter last month asking to deny the project’s request to gain permanent access to Route 53. I have scheduled time with IDOT for a further conversation on this matter and other matters impacting our region.

“We cannot continue to put profits over people and disregard the thousands of residents who have voiced their concerns for years. I will continue to echo my constituents’ concerns on NorthPoint.”

Originally published on Herald-News Will County on June 22, 2024

“This is so exciting for our community,” said Ventura, who presented Johnson with a resolution from state leaders recognizing the museum. “This investment in tourism and history will be an economic driver in our community, and as someone who loves to sightsee, I’m excited to have another tourism destination in our backyard. This museum will become a cornerstone for the community – a place where we can reflect on our past, celebrate our present and look forward to a brighter future together.”