Glowiak Hilton congratulates public museum grantees in DuPage County

OAKBROOK TERRACE– The Elmhurst History Museum and Lombard Historical Society will receive a combined $1 million in grants through the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) announced Wednesday.

“Our museums hold the history of our state and help share that heritage through education and exhibits,” Glowiak Hilton said. “This funding will allow our museums to create new and enlightening experiences for generations of Illinois residents.”

The Elmhurst History Museum will receive $255,300 for an operation upgrade, and the Lombard Historical Society will receive $750,000—the maximum grant award for this round of projects—to expand and improve core operations at its historic Carriage House building. 

Through the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 43 Illinois museums will receive a combined $22.8 million in state capital investments to improve their facilities and develop new exhibits. The program is made possible by the Rebuild Illinois multi-year state capital program.

The Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program is open to any museum operated by local government or located on municipally-owned land. More information on the program is available here.

Glowiak Hilton highlights National Apprenticeship Week

OAKBROOK TERRACE – To acknowledge the community contributions provided by labor workers, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 8-14.  

“Apprenticeships give trade students a head start on fulfilling, successful careers in the labor industry by providing quality experience and opportunities,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Working families are the foundation of our community, supporting our safety, prosperity and economic development, and I commend their daily contributions, especially during National Apprenticeship Week.”

National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration that gives businesses, communities and educators the opportunity to highlight their apprenticeship programs and apprentices, as well as to demonstrate the value apprenticeship programs offer businesses, career seekers and their communities.

For more information on apprenticeships and National Apprenticeship Week, visit https://www.apprenticeship.gov/.

Glowiak Hilton: 12 local businesses awarded funds, and more should apply

OAKBROOK TERRACE –To help offset financial losses stemming from the pandemic, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is pleased to learn 12 businesses in the district she represents have received financial assistance from the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program, and she is encouraging more to apply.

“As we work to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases, small business owners and employees are among the hardest hit by mitigation efforts,” Glowiak Hilton said. “These grants will support operating costs, and I encourage any business struggling to keep their doors open to apply as soon as possible.”

In the district Glowiak Hilton represents, 12 businesses received a combined $420,000 in grants. Each business received between $5,000 and $85,000 to be used to help cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic. 

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded the grants this week, as part of the second round of the BIG program. However, applications will remain open until all of the funding is spent. 

“These grants can help offset some costs, but our community must also come together to support our local businesses during this difficult time,” Glowiak Hilton said. “With the holiday season approaching, I urge residents to look locally first when shopping.”

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are available on DCEO’s website. 

For a complete list of awardees, click here.

Glowiak Hilton: Shop small this holiday season

OAKBROOK TERRACE – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is urging residents in Cook and DuPage counties to shop small this holiday season to support local businesses that have been struggling throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As residents begin to plan for the holidays, I am reminding shoppers to look locally first,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By patronizing small businesses, we can support our friends and neighbors while investing in our local economies.”

For those who would prefer to shop from home during the pandemic, there are options beyond brick-and-mortar stores. Glowiak Hilton urges residents to support small businesses however they can, including by shopping online, ordering carry out from a locally owned restaurant or buying a gift card for a friend. 

Additionally, if finances are tight, community members can still give businesses a boost by engaging with their social media channels, referring friends and leaving positive reviews online.

Glowiak Hilton would also like to remind struggling small businesses that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has launched the second round of the Business Interruption Grant program, which will distribute $220 million to small businesses hit hardest by the ongoing pandemic, including movie theaters, event venues, hotels and more. Learn more and apply here.