SPRINGFIELD – A successful grant program that is putting people to work in central Illinois would be available to community colleges in the suburbs and elsewhere throughout the state under a proposal from State Senator Ann Gillespie.

The proposal would establish the manufacturing training grant program. It is modeled in part after a job skills training initiative at Richland Community College in Decatur, which received a $1.5 million state grant in 2018. The collaboration of state, local and private resources in that community is expected to put as many as 225 people to work.

“This is a phenomenal program, and I think it could be replicated at community colleges throughout Illinois with the state’s help,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “With the proper investment and strong partnerships, we can put people to work in manufacturing, health care and technology jobs in communities statewide.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans would have to be 21 to purchase tobacco products and e-cigarettes under a measure approved by the state Senate Wednesday.

State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) is a co-sponsor of the legislation, House Bill 345.

“The medical evidence is clear and irrefutable: smoking imperils the health of children and young adults,” Gillespie said. “The sooner we implement this law, the fewer children we’ll see on the path to long-term smoking and the life-altering medical consequences that come with that choice.”

Raising the smoking age is expected to reduce the overall smoking rate by about 12 percent.

Under House Bill 345, consumers must be at least 21 to purchase tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and alternative nicotine products.

Please join us for a town hall meeting to learn about a proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis in Illinois. The plan's sponsor, State Senator Heather Steans, will lead a presentation and answer audience questions afterward.

The event will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at the Mount Prospect Public Library. Constituents of all viewpoints are welcome to come and learn.

This town hall discussion is being jointly hosted by State Senator Ann Gillespie, State Senator Julie Morrison, State Rep. Mark Walker and State Rep. Jonathan Carroll.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois would join Texas in forbidding guns in polling places under a plan introduced by State Senator Ann Gillespie.

“If Texas can see the problem with people bringing guns to vote, then so can Illinois,” said Gillespie, an Arlington Heights Democrat. “In these times of intense political division, it’s understandable that people would be concerned about their safety at voting sites. Voters should leave their guns at home. It’s as simple as that.”

Gillespie’s Senate Bill 1242 would prohibit concealed carry weapons from polling places and their parking lots.

During the 2016 presidential election, voters in Loudoun County, Virginia, who were dropping off absentee ballots at a voting location were greeted by a man with a gun strapped to his waist who questioned at least one of them about their preferred candidate.

Four states currently prohibit guns at voting sites: Texas, Florida, Louisiana and California. Georgia bars firearms within 150 feet of a polling station.

Twenty percent of Illinois polling sites are not in buildings that are gun-free zones under state law.