ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) is announcing that school districts in the 27th Senate District will receive over $91 million in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This year has been especially hard on teachers, students and parents,” Gillespie said. “These federal funds will help our students and schools succeed as we return to in-person learning.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

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SPRINGFIELD – To improve health outcomes in communities across Illinois, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) voted to pass major health care reform legislation that would make investments in community-based health centers and address systemic health disparities among marginalized groups.

“If we really want to improve health outcomes, we need to meet people where they are,” Gillespie said. “The meaningful investments this legislation makes in community-based health providers will make that happen.”

The legislation would facilitate coordination between Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and hospitals, evaluate Managed Care Organizations and create a $50 million maternal mortality prevention program among other technical provisions. The measure aims to improve health outcomes by addressing social determinants of health, including social, economic and physical environments.

House Bill 158 passed the Illinois Senate 41-16 and awaits the governor’s signature.

SPRINGFIELD – After being elected co-chair of the bipartisan Illinois Senate Women’s Caucus, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement:

“I am honored to have been elected as co-chair of the Senate Women’s Caucus and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue our fight for full gender equality.

“Women still face systemic disparities in health care, employment, compensation and more. The pandemic has amplified those disparities, especially for working women of color.

“The Senate Women’s Caucus is eager to continue our work and champion legislation that will improve the livelihoods and futures of women across the state.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – To provide alternative and affordable education options to students, the Illinois State Board of Education has awarded career and technical education (CTE) grants to three schools in the 27th Illinois Senate District, represented by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). 

“As our economy adapts to the pandemic, CTE is becoming increasingly important,” Gillespie said. “These grants will help train future CTE teachers so that young learners in our community have access to affordable educational opportunities for a career in growing industries.”

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