SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is leading an initiative to extend the services offered at the Philip J. Rock Center and School in Glen Ellyn to children who are deaf or blind across the community.

“The Philip J. Rock Center and School is a vital resource for our community — this measure will give the center the ability to serve more children, including those with hearing and visual impairments,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “We have to update the existing state law to make this facility more accessible to the children in our community who need it.”

Currently, the Philip J. Rock Center and School only serves students who are both blind and deaf. It is the only publicly funded residential school in the country for deaf-blind students. The school currently assists nine students from age three through 21.

Senate Bill 3768 would allow the center to serve children who have visual or hearing impairments, as well as those who have both. With construction underway on a new facility that will accommodate up to 20 students, Glowiak Hilton’s measure will allow the Philip J. Rock Center and School to expand their services to more children in the community with hearing or visual impairments.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) issued the following statement after the governor outlined his Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal:

“The governor’s budget proposal highlights Illinois’ continued commitment to K-12 education by continuing its commitment of a $350 million increase into school districts. By providing this additional funding, families can take comfort in knowing that their schools will have the proper resources for students to succeed. This investment has the added benefit of allowing school districts to hold the line on property taxes. 

“Increased funding for tuition assistance for college gives our students the financial stability to pursue their dreams. If we want to keep our students here, this increased funding for higher education is necessary. Making college more affordable gives students in our community the opportunity to live, learn and work in Illinois for years to come.

“The proposed increased investment for the Meals on Wheels program gives our seniors accessibility to nutritious meals and a high quality of life. This community-based assistance offers our older adults the support they deserve when they need it. I am proud to see a continued commitment in giving the dignity and respect our senior residents have earned.

“While I was pleased to see more funding toward state education, I was disappointed that there was not an increase in investment toward the Local Government Distribution Fund, which puts money back into the hands of our local municipalities. People are counting on us to make common sense decisions in Springfield. As budget negotiations continue in the few months, I am going to fight to see us get to a place where the budget is fiscally sound, helps our local economy and represents our needs."

SPRINGFIELD— State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton’s measure to help to modernize Illinois’ professional licensure process advanced out of the Senate Tuesday.

“I continue to hear from residents in my district who are waiting for an update on their license applications and renewals,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This measure will expedite the process to modernize and streamline operations for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.”

IDFPR administers licenses for over 100 different professions including nurses, barbers, roofers, social workers, dentists and others. In Illinois, over 1 million people need a professional license or registration to work.

House Bill 2394 addresses the backlog of licenses and registrations by creating an expedited and competitive bid procurement process for software to modernize the way IDFPR processes licensing.

It will also require the department to extend the expiration date or renewal period for any profession licensed by them if the agency secretary finds that there is a significant operational need to do so or it is necessary to avoid undue hardship on a profession's licensees.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton announced more than $1.2 million was awarded to local organizations through the Illinois Department of Public Health to support post-pandemic child and adolescent mental health.

“Throughout the last few decades, we have seen a significant increase in young people dealing with mental health struggles,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “The COVID pandemic enhanced and intensified mental health issues. This vital funding will allow our schools to strengthen and improve mental health services for our children.”

The grants – funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and additional state funding – are intended to help schools and local agencies improve student care through workforce enhancements, frameworks to prevent adverse childhood experiences, interventions to assist children suffering from trauma, and training for medical and school staff to expand adolescent mental health resources.