OAKBROOK TERRACE — State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton announced seven local school districts will receive state grants to purchase books, technology and other materials.

“Libraries unlock a world of creativity and new ideas,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This funding will help schools expand their collections with the latest books and technology, giving students the resources they need to learn and thrive.”

More than $1.3 million was awarded to 2,484 Illinois public school libraries through the Secretary of State’s School District Library Grant Program. Resources and services supported through the grants include library books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – With support from State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton, over $1 million in grant funding will support pathways to good-paying jobs in the trades industry throughout DuPage County.

“Pre-apprenticeship programs give students a head start on successful careers by providing quality experiences and skill-building opportunities,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Organizations like SkillsUSA Illinois foster students’ interest in these in-demand fields, leading to a stronger workforce in our state.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $19 million in grant funding through the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program to 38 organizations across the state. The funding is intended to create more pathways for youth to access pre-apprenticeship programs and registered apprenticeships, which provide greater opportunities to secure lifelong careers in the construction trades.

In Glowiak Hilton’s district, the northeast region of the Illinois Foundation of SkillsUSA that covers DuPage and surrounding counties will receive $1.1 million to support pre-apprenticeship students.

View the full list of organizations receiving grant funding across the state here.

SPRINGFIELD — Disasters take a physical, emotional and financial toll, which can be compounded by inflated prices of essential items during the recovery process. To protect Illinoisans in a time of need, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is working to prevent price gouging immediately following a disaster.

“Tornados are common in Illinois — imagine one destroys your home and you go to the store to purchase diapers only to find the price has tripled. For some, that’s just not feasible,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “The affordability and availability of essential goods is vital for those rebuilding their lives.”

While 39 states have regulations against price gouging during disasters, Illinois limits its protections to excessive costs of petroleum products during market emergencies. To further protect consumers, Senate Bill 1932 would prohibit unjustified price increases on essential goods and services in designated disaster areas for 45 days after the governor or U.S. president declares a state of emergency.

SPRINGFIELD — To ensure women have the information they need to make informed family planning decisions, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is sponsoring legislation to facilitate conversations between patients and physicians.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to family planning, which is why women need to be informed of all options available to them,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This bill is about empowering women with the knowledge they need to plan their futures.”

According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the ability for a woman to get pregnant starts to decline at age 30. To assess a woman’s likelihood of getting pregnant on their own, health care providers can use ovarian reserve testing — a blood test and ultrasound — to estimate the number of healthy eggs in a woman’s ovaries.

Glowiak Hilton’s legislation would direct the Illinois Department of Public Health to create and distribute materials to women over age 25 to help guide fertility decisions. This would include information on ovarian reserve testing, as well as locations where testing is offered and resources available after receiving test results.