CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham announced that 12 school districts across the Southwest Suburbs will receive nearly $8 million in evidence-based funding, in addition to the base funding that the state provides.

“Additional funding to our public schools will lead to improved student outcomes,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This evidence-based funding is critical for helping our local school districts provide a high-quality education that students and families deserve.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham’s measure to give law enforcement stronger tools to track down the criminals bringing illegal guns into Illinois neighborhoods was signed into law.

“This will give the police the tools they need to track down illegal guns and the criminals that traffic them into our communities,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “Tracing guns used in crimes and sharing data across jurisdictions will help solve crimes and keep dangerous individuals off our streets.”

CHICAGO – In order to give more students a chance to participate, State Senator Bill Cunningham is extending his Summer Book Club to Sept. 15.

“Reading is a great way for students to continue learning outside the classroom,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “We’re extending this year’s Summer Book Club to allow more kids a chance to participate.”

The Summer Book Club is open to18^th District students. Students are required to read eight books of their choice, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to Cunningham’s district office by Sept.15. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card and a certificate from Senator Cunningham.

The Summer Book Club deadline is extended from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15.

Summer Book Club forms are available to download at SenatorBillCunningham.com. People with questions can reach out to Cunningham’s office at (773) 445-8128.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced a bill through the Senate that gives law enforcement stronger tools to track down the criminals bringing illegal guns into Illinois neighborhoods.

“This is about giving our police the tools they need to track down illegal guns and the people that traffic them into our communities,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “When we can trace more guns and share more data across jurisdictions, we can solve more crimes and keep more dangerous individuals off our streets.”

Under current law, firearm tracing is limited to specific scenarios. The measure broadens that scope by requiring firearm tracing in all cases where a gun is recovered at the scene of a crime, used unlawfully or is believed to be associated with a crime. The bill also asks every law enforcement agency in Illinois to participate in the federal eTrace program, providing investigators with faster, more complete data on gun origins, trafficking patterns and crime links. This will ensure consistent reporting and firearm tracing across all counties, helping to close investigative loopholes and make communities safer statewide.

“We know most gun owners follow the law,” said Cunningham. “This bill is about finding the people who don’t—and stopping them before they can do more harm.”

House Bill 1373 passed the Senate on Saturday.