Edly-Allen: Local schools to receive over $12 million in evidence-based funding

LIBERTYVILLE — State Senator Mary Edly-Allen announced that 15 school districts across the area will receive over $12 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“As a former public school teacher, I have a strong commitment to ensuring every student is given equal opportunities to succeed regardless of their ZIP code or financial status,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This funding is instrumental in ensuring our communities receive the resources they need to provide the high quality public education students deserve.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

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Edly-Allen welcomes $360,000 in Back to Business grants

LIBERTYVILLE – With support from State Senator Mary Edly-Allen, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recently announced the latest round of Back to Business grants awarded to businesses in the restaurant industry.

“Local restaurants are vital to the makeup of our communities,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “The Back to Business grants will aid in these businesses’ recovery from financial losses sustained during the pandemic.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest-hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Nine restaurants in Edly-Allen’s district will receive a combined total of $360,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“I’m proud to see our state continue to invest in small businesses,” said Edly-Allen. “I encourage all residents to shop small and local. These businesses are what keeps the bond of our community strong.”

For more information about B2B grants visit DCEO’s website

Edly-Allen law lessens use of plastic and Styrofoam

SPRINGFIELD – A bill passed by State Senator Mary Edly-Allen to lessen the use of plastic and Styrofoam was signed into law Friday.

“In order to reduce waste in our landfills and be more conscientious of our impact on the environment, we need alternatives such as using consumer-owned containers,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “Not only will restaurants save money on packaging, grocery stores will also help the environment by allowing their customers to use their own items for bulk purchases.”

Edly-Allen’s measure will allow restaurants and retailers to fill and refill consumer-owned containers with bulk or ready-made food.

A restaurant or retailer has to take necessary precautions to prevent cross contamination and make those written procedures available to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

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Edly-Allen commends Supreme Court decision to uphold assault weapons ban

• assault weapons ban

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the General Assembly’s assault weapons ban:

“Military grade assault weapons are just that—created for the military. These weapons of mass destruction do not belong in our neighborhoods. Thankfully, our Illinois Supreme Court agrees. I am proud that the court has prioritized the safety of Illinoisans and upheld this ban on these dangerous weapons.”