State Senator Ann Gillespie is hosting a series of town halls to discuss legislative achievements for the 27th District. In the coming weeks, Gillespie and State Representatives Mark Walker and Mary Beth Canty will be holding events throughout the district — all residents are welcome to attend to learn about the latest from Springfield and engage in a civil discussion on legislative manners.

The town halls are scheduled the first two weeks in June and are open to the public.

• Tuesday, June 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., with State Representatives Walker and Canty
• Thursday, June 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., with State Representative Canty
• Tuesday, June 13, 6-8 p.m. at Buffalo Grove High School, 1100 W. Dundee Road, with State Representative Canty
• Thursday, June 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Rolling Meadows Park Facility, 3000 Central Road, with State Representative Walker

For questions, contact the district office at 847-749-1880.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement after voting to pass the state’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget:

“I am proud to support a budget that invests in our future and positions Illinois for long-term prosperity. This budget is fiscally responsible, prioritizes investments in education and economic development, and contains measures that support working families.

“Historic investments in early childhood education and programming paired with strategic funding for workforce development programs will ensure that every parent has the child care and job training they need to make a living.

“Continuing to improve the state’s fiscal health, we have paid down debt, eliminated the bill backlog and will make an additional $200 million pension payment beyond what’s required. Overall, this year’s budget builds on past fiscal progress while making transformative investments in the services working people depend on.”

L-R: Laz Lopez, District 214 interim superintendent; Bake-Off winners Adam Chamala, Jonathan Alvarado, Alejandro Pons Jurado and Samantha Rowan; and State Senator Ann Gillespie.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — Students enrolled in District 214’s Culinary Arts ProStart Career Pathway rose to the challenge as they baked sweet and savory breads during State Senator Ann Gillespie’s second annual Great District 214 Culinary Competition Bake-Off on Thursday.

“I am so impressed with the talent and creativity students displayed this year,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Congratulations to our winners; I know you will be successful as you continue your culinary journey.”

Teams from Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove and Rolling Meadows high schools competed in savory and sweet categories. The winning dishes, both from Elk Grove High School teams, were jalapeño popper monkey bread from Alejandro Pons Jurado and Jonathan Alvarado in the savory category, and caramel macchiato cream cheese muffins from Samantha Rowan and Adam Chamala in the sweet category. The students will each receive scholarship funds to attend Harper College.

SPRINGFIELD – To further prevent discrimination while looking for a place to live, State Senator Ann Gillespie passed legislation out of the Senate on Thursday that prohibits the consideration of immigration status during a real estate transaction.

“Those looking to rent or purchase property in Illinois should not be treated differently because of their immigration status,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Putting these protections in place will promote fairness to ensure people are not unjustly denied housing.”