Senator Bill Cunningham took part in an Illinois education tradition this week, serving as "Principal for the Day" at Sandburg High School in Chicago's District 230. The Illinois Principals Association invites lawmakers to step into the shoes of a principal in their district to honor the work and commitment of school leaders, educators and students.

Senator Cunningham wants to share information for constituents in the 18th District. His colleague in the Illinois House, State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford, distributes routine updates about grants that are available to state and local governments and community agencies and Sen. Cunningham is pleased to pass this on to more potential candidates.

Examples include grants for education, health, disabilities, cultural heritage, rural development and many other programs. Because grants have application deadlines, Sen. Cunningham recommends interested parties take advantage of the time needed to apply for grants by subscribing to a weekly update provided by the Illinois Legislative Research Unit.

 The Legislative Research Unit is the chief general research agency for the Illinois General Assembly. LRU provides nonpartisan, objective, documented, and timely information. They are authorized to do research only for members of the General Assembly or their staffs. However, several major publications are available to the public.

Click here to subscribe to a weekly update on available grants.

CHICAGO – To encourage civic service, assist community members and promote physical fitness, state Rep. Fran Hurley is partnering with state Sen. Bill Cunningham to host a Community Bike Drive for local residents to donate used bicycles.

“Donating a used bike provides a wonderful gift to someone while helping the community,” Hurley said. “We think this is a great way to assist local residents, encourage charity and get more people riding bikes. Sen. Cunningham and I are excited to be providing this service to the district.”
 
The bike drive will take place Aug. 15 through Sept. 15. All donations can be dropped off at the Mount Greenwood Community Business Association at 3330 W. 111th St. in Chicago, behind La Fiesta restaurant. Owned by local resident John DeBold, Park Schwinn at 3333 W. 95th St. in Evergreen Park will be fixing up old bikes and donating them to less fortunate children.  

CHICAGO – An effort to expand open lands in suburban Cook County sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) was signed into law Friday. Senate Bill 1499 gives the Cook County Forest Preserve District the power to acquire land by easement, which will now enable the district to enter into voluntary agreements with businesses, utilities and local governments to acquire patches of open land and incorporate them into the Forest Preserve green belt.

Until this legislation was signed, every other forest preserve district in Illinois can acquire land by easement. With this new law in place, the Cook County Forest Preserve will no longer be forced to purchase any land it acquired, saving the taxpayers significant cost.

“Cook County has one of the highest urban populations in the country. This legislation will preserve and hopefully create more open space,” said Cunningham. “Fighting for our environment will always be one of my top priorities while in the General Assembly.”