WESTERN SPRINGS – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) announced that 11 local school districts will receive over $28,000 from the Illinois Secretary of State’s School Library Grant program.

“Developing reading skills in young students is one of the most important investments the state can make in our education system,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Reading and comprehension is the foundation on which we learn and I am glad to live in a state that prioritizes this.”

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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.

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/.

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.