OAKBROOK TERRACE – To improve facilities and develop new exhibits, three facilities in DuPage County were awarded funding through the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grant Program with support from State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs).

“Museums offer educational and cultural opportunities for communities to celebrate a collective heritage,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By investing in programs and infrastructure, Illinois is working to support our local keepers of history.”

The Public Museum Capital Grants Program through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will distribute a total of $19.7 million in grants to 36 museums and support upgrades to facilities, new exhibits and other features.​

Grantees awarded nearly $2.2 million combined in the 24th Senate District include:

• Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Mayslake Peabody Estate – $750,000
• Elmhurst Art Museum, roofing and HVAC renewal – $750,000
• City of Elmhurst, community performance venue – $698,500

Investments for the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program are funded by Rebuild Illinois. More information about the program is available here.

SPRINGFIELD – To offer support to workers, a group of pro-business Democratic lawmakers held a press conference Wednesday to advocate for an initiative to require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to expedite complete professional license applications.

“Health care workers, accountants, speech pathologists and a variety of others are eager, qualified and ready to enter their respective industries but are waiting months for professional licenses to be issued by the state,” said State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs), chief Senate sponsor of Senate Bill 670. “Improving convenience, timeliness and accessibility for working people is a necessary step to building our economy and focusing efforts on recovery.”

Under the legislation, IDFPR is required to process applications within four weeks as long as there were no deficiencies submitted.

“We have a shortage of trained experts right now—especially in the real estate, financial and health care fields, which the DFPR regulates,” said State Rep. Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island), chief House sponsor. “Eliminating gratuitous licensing wait times will help fill that gap while cutting down on red tape. I’m happy to join my distinguished colleagues in helping make this legislation law.”

The proposal supports an effort to benefit workers and support economic development throughout the state for an array of industries.

“If you have all the qualifications and there are no discrepancies in your license, then this process shouldn’t keep you waiting months in order to practice your profession,” said State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford).

Senate Bill 670 passed the Senate with bipartisan support and awaits further consideration by the House Health Care Licenses Committee.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase microchip production and attract companies to invest in Illinois, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) advanced legislation through the Senate to create a series of tax credits to support the semiconductor industry.

“The United States relies on microchip imports to fulfill local manufacturing needs,” said Glowiak Hilton, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. “With semiconductor supply chain and worker shortages intensified by the pandemic, we can use this opportunity to serve local production, build the industry in Illinois and create job opportunities for residents.”

In partnership with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Glowiak Hilton’s proposal creates the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act to provide a range of tax credits for semiconductor, microchip and component part manufacturers to support new employee training while also encourage companies to develop operations in underserved communities and energy transition areas.

Nationally, the semiconductor chip supply chain has been fragile for years and has hindered manufacturing across the U.S. For economic security, Glowiak Hilton’s measure incentivizes bringing chip manufacturing back to local production. 

“Strong economies depend on strong supply chains,” Glowiak Hilton said. “The MICRO Act would strengthen the in-state supply of semiconductors, microchips and their component parts and increase availability for manufacturing production nationwide.”

Senate Bill 3917 passed the Senate Thursday and moves for further consideration in the House.