Southwest suburban schools to receive additional $4.3M

More than $7.6M in new money funneled to area students in just two years

SPRINGFIELD – Southwest suburban families will continue to benefit from Illinois’ new school funding formula, which guarantees local schools will receive nearly $4.3 million more this year than they did last year, State Senator Bill Cunningham said today.

That means the new formula will have pumped more than $7.6 million in additional money into schools in the 18^th State Senate District during its first two years on the books.

“Superintendents are making meaningful changes in schools and classrooms across the southwest suburbs because of the new formula,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who supported the overhaul of Illinois’ archaic school funding formula. “Schools that have gotten the short end of the stick for years are moving to the front of the line for support, and that’s how it should be.”

Statewide, many school districts are rehiring teachers and counselors who were laid off because of budget constraints, reinstating vital programs, creating innovative new learning programs, and establishing much-needed stability so they can budget for the future.

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Cunningham announces mentoring grant for Chicago Ridge library

SPRINGFIELD – Chicago Ridge Public Library is the recipient of a $5,740 mentoring grant from the Illinois secretary of state, State Senator Bill Cunningham announced.

The grant was awarded through the 2019 Project Next Generation program, which is a mentoring program administered through Illinois public libraries. Mentors work with middle and high school students to help them develop skills needed to use technology and find success through project-based learning. Mentors also help with developing life skills, such as effective communication, goal setting, and conflict resolution.

Chicago Ridge is one of 31 public libraries in the state to receive the grant.

“The Secretary of State’s continued support for Illinois public libraries and at-risk youth is commendable,” Cunningham said. “A nominal investment like this in local mentoring will produce untold results, including better grades, higher self-esteem, increased likelihood of going to college, and better preparation for the workforce.”

In all, the Secretary of State awarded more than $526,000 in Project Next Generation grants statewide. The money is provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Grants are awarded to public libraries that serve culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations.

“I am committed to improving the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois,” said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. “I established this innovative program when I first became secretary of state to give students an opportunity to receive hands-on experience with the latest technological tools at their local library.”

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/PNGgrants.

Senator Cunningham represents portions of Worth, Orland and Palos Townships in the southwest suburbs and the neighborhoods of Mt. Greenwood, Beverly, Morgan Park and Auburn-Gresham in Chicago.

Area jobseekers invited to explore opportunities at Sept. 13 hiring fair

Cunningham: Path to a good-paying job or new career may be an unexpected one

ORLAND PARK – Area jobseekers will have access to more than 70 potential employers and staffing agencies in one convenient location during a hiring event in Orland Park Thursday, Sept. 13.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Ave. It is presented by State Sen. Bill Cunningham, State Rep. Fran Hurley and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

“With Illinois experiencing historically low unemployment, many companies are looking to expand their talent pool. If you want a job, someone out there wants to recruit you,” Cunningham said.

The Orland Park hiring event will feature representatives of companies in sectors including health care, construction trades, sales, hospitality, retail, state government, trucking and transportation, industrial, manufacturing, clerical and more. Numerous staffing agencies also will be on site. And construction trades will have apprenticeship applications.

At least one company is looking for retired veterans who may be interested in working as security guards. Another is seeking people for driving and non-driving positions in public transportation. Health care-related companies are looking for nurses, medical technicians, therapists, and housekeeping, laundry and food service workers.

Companies also are looking to hire forklift operators, clerical workers, customer service representatives, accountants, legal support, warehouse workers, truck drivers and dispatchers, home health care aids, financial representatives, bartenders, line cooks and more.

“That’s why I would encourage people to come out with their resumes, talk to these recruiters and learn about the doors that are open. They may be surprised to find the path to a good-paying job or a new career may be someplace they’ve never heard of or considered before,” Cunningham said.

Jobseekers are asked to register in advance at senatorbillcunningham.com. For more information, call the senator’s district office at 773-445-8128.

Governor’s veto seeks to undercut locally elected school boards

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Rauner has vetoed legislation that would give local school boards final authority to approve or decline new charter schools.

“This veto allows the State Charter School Commission to undercut decisions made by local school board members who ultimately know what’s best for the students in the communities that elected them,” said State Senator Bill Cunningham, the chief sponsor of the legislation.

The legislation, House Bill 5175, would have eliminated charter schools’ ability to appeal a local school board’s decision to deny or not renew a charter school. Under current law, a charter school applicant may file an appeal with the State Charter School Commission, who can reverse the school board’s decision.

The legislation left in place a provision allowing charters to be approved by referendum if at least 5 percent of the voters in a school district petition the school board.

Cunningham is a Democrat representing parts of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs.