ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – To assist students wanting to become future educators, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) announced Northwest Suburban schools will receive a grant to develop Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs focusing on teaching.

“CTE programs aren’t just for those entering the trades but can prepare students for careers in a variety of fields,” Gillespie said. “There is no better investment than developing the professional    skills of our future generation of educators.”

The Illinois State Board of Education awarded the Northwest Educational Council for Student Success a grant of $249,000, which will be distributed to nine high schools in the Northwest Suburbs to develop CTE programs focused on careers in education. Two of the nine schools are in the 27th District — Palatine High School and Rolling Meadows High School. 

“The CTE programs at High School Districts 211 and 214 represent the best our state has to offer in preparing young adults for long-term career paths,” Gillespie said. “Congratulations to Palatine and Rolling Meadows High Schools and the other recipients. I am eager to see the progress students make in these role model programs.” 

CTE programs help students develop technical and employability skills to enable them to pursue higher education opportunities and enter the workforce. Students in CTE programs may also earn dual credit or credentials and certifications from partner institutions prior to high school graduation. The programs will emphasize recruiting underrepresented students into education careers to help meet the high demand for teachers of color across Illinois.

Nearly $2 million in total funding has been awarded to 11 Education for Employment Systems statewide to recruit and support future educators at 62 high schools and vocational centers across the state. For a full list of grant recipients or to learn more about career and college readiness programs in Illinois, visit www.ISBE.net/CTE.

CHICAGO – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) welcomed legislators and staff to tour two safety-net hospitals on Tuesday. Attendees included members of the bipartisan Legislative Medicaid Working Group and Senate leadership.

“Our working group and Senate leaders were able to see first-hand the important role of safety-net hospitals and the work they do for underserved communities,” Gillespie said. “The patients served by safety-net hospitals are largely uninsured or are covered by Medicaid or Medicare; as a result, safety-net hospitals often look beyond traditional health care to addressing social determinants of care to better serve their communities.”

The group toured St. Bernard Hospital and St. Mary and Elizabeth’s Hospital in Chicago. Representatives from eight other safety-net hospitals joined the group to answer questions on the essential services they provide. Safety-net hospitals serve low-income communities where a majority of patients receive coverage from Medicaid. A study by a consumer advocacy group found that an additional 5.4 million laid-off workers became uninsured this year, making safety-net hospitals more vital than ever.

“Communities served by safety-net hospitals lack not just access to quality health care, but also resources such as food and housing,” State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) said. “This tour highlighted those needs and gave our group a better perspective into the services that safety-net hospitals bring to the areas they serve.”

During the special session lawmakers passed the Hospital and Health Care Transformation Program. The $150 million program will fund individual projects to improve health equity and address systemic health disparities across Illinois.

CHICAGO – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) joined Gov. Pritzker to announce a $4.7 million expansion of the Illinois Apprenticeship Program. This expansion makes a record $20 million investment in the program and will serve 17,000 participants this year.

“Apprenticeships are a proven tool for workforce development and provide new workers an opportunity for a long-term career path,” Gillespie said. “Today, Illinois reinforces our commitment to investing in apprenticeships and the options they provide for both employers and youth. These options are even more critical as we work our way through the far-reaching economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Potential tutors who are interested in assisting adults with literacy and English language skills have an opportunity to volunteer for a state program that has awarded $235,000 to local adult literacy programs, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) said.

“These programs help adults learn the language and reading skills needed to enter the workforce,” Gillespie said. “I encourage anyone needing help to connect with these programs so that they can have access to more employment opportunities in the future, and if you have the skills to help them, you should consider volunteering!”