Senior Town Hall - July 24

I am hosting a Senior Town Hall and listening session later this month with State Representative Camille Lilly.

The event will be held on Thursday, July 24 at 12:30 PM at Lorraine Hansberry Apartments, 5760 W. Lake St., Chicago.

This event is free and open to the public. Light lunch will be served. For more information, contact my office at (708) 848-2002 or Representative Lilly’s office at (773) 473-7300.

I hope to see you there!

'Democracy in Action' with Senator Harmon and Representative Lilly

Harmon announces funding for local libraries

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) announced libraries in the 39^th District are set to receive a combined total of nearly $340,000 for library services and programming.

“Libraries are invaluable in our communities, serving as a resource for everyone from ages 1 to 100,” Harmon said. “These grants are an investment in lifelong learning.”

Through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants program, 639 public libraries statewide will receive nearly $18 million in grants. Libraries may use the funds to support resources and services for their communities, including books, e-books, online resources and internet access, personnel, public programming and capital expenditures.

Nine libraries in the district Harmon represents received funding:

• Addison Public Library District, $52,660
• Bensenville Community Public Library, $32,114
• Elmwood Park Public Library, $36,168
• Franklin Park Public Library District, $27,375
• Melrose Park Public Library, $36,574
• Northlake Public Library District, $39,334
• Oak Park Public Library, $80,510
• River Forest Public Library, $17,283
• River Grove Public Library District, $15,603

More information on available library grants can be found here.

Illinois Senate approves balanced budget that invests in key priorities

SPRINGFIELD -- Senate President Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat, issued the following statement following the Senate’s approval of a balanced state budget Saturday.

“Despite the economic uncertainty emanating from Washington, we approved a budget that invests hundreds of millions of new dollars in public education, protects access to critical hospitals and health care facilities and does it all without raising state income or sales taxes.

“We all wish we could do more. But this is a responsible, balanced budget that continues our work to improve the lives of the great people of the great state of Illinois. I want to thank the members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, the House Democratic Caucus, Speaker Welch and Governor Pritzker for the united effort to achieve our shared goals.”