Gillespie Selected for Prestigious CSG Henry Toll Fellowship

Forty-eight state leaders were chosen for the annual leadership development program

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — State Senator Ann Gillespie announced today that she has been selected to participate in the 2022 Council of State Governments Henry Toll Fellowship. Bringing together 48 individuals representing 32 states from several sectors of state government, the Henry Toll Fellowship is the nation’s premier leadership development program for state government officials.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to share in this leadership development experience,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Learning best practices from counterparts in other states will allow all of us to return home with a better understanding of how to govern and advocate for our communities.”

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Local school districts receive $250,000 in School Maintenance Grants

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie announced that, thanks to funds distributed by the Illinois State Board of Education, five local school districts received grants for infrastructure improvements.

“Keeping our school facilities in the best possible condition is critical to building healthy and safe classrooms for our students,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “This investment will allow students in our community to continue to enjoy the productive learning environment they deserve.”

A total of $30 million in 2022 School Maintenance Grants was distributed to districts across the state. To be eligible for the grants, applicants were required to match the state funds and commit to completing proposed projects within two years.

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Local parks receive $1.1 million in OSLAD investments

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie is proud to announce that local parks have received nearly $1.1 million from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program.

“Our park districts offer recreational and green spaces for our neighbors to enjoy and contribute to what makes our community a great place to live,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “These matching funds will help improve the outdoor spaces we have available and preserve them for years to come.”

OSLAD is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and helps communities acquire open space and develop and improve recreational facilities. OSLAD grants cover up to half of a project’s costs and must be matched by grant recipients. A total of $30.3 million was disbursed to 87 parks across Illinois this year.

Local park districts in and around the 27th Senate District received $1,075,000 in funding through OSLAD and include the following:

• Des Plaines Park District, outdoor nature lab and play park
• Mount Prospect Park District, Rosemary S. Angus Friendship Park
• Prospect Heights Park District, East Wedgewood Park

Gillespie denounces Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS –State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade – depriving millions of women of their right to choose:

“Today, the Supreme Court made the appalling decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, putting women’s reproductive rights at risk for many people across the country. I am heartbroken thinking of the countless women across the country who now have their right to choose stripped away from them—leaving them with impossible options and devastating consequences to their mental and physical health. I am proud that in Illinois, the right to choose is protected—but am committed to continue to advocate for reproductive rights until all women are able to utilize it.”