Ellman highlights DuPage County receives $1.1 million for job training

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman highlights a $1.1 million investment to provide job training for aspiring DuPage County professionals in the construction and building trades.

“DuPage County is set to receive much-needed workforce investments that will help future tradesmen and women build successful careers,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Essential resources like pre-apprenticeship programs and training will give workers the skills and tools to support them throughout their careers.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $19 million in grant funding through the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program to 38 organizations across the state. The purpose of the funding is to create more pathways for kids to access pre-apprenticeship programs and registered apprenticeships, which provide greater opportunities to secure lifelong careers in the construction trades. In Ellman’s district, the northeast region of the Illinois Foundation of SkillsUSA will see a total of $1.1 million to support pre-apprenticeship students.

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Ellman to strengthen Illinois gun safety standards

SPRINGFIELD - For far too long, unsecured firearms in homes have led to devastating and preventable tragedies, especially among children and teenagers. In response to this ongoing crisis, State Senator Laura Ellman is championing a critical public safety measure to strengthen gun storage standards in Illinois, ensuring firearms are securely stored and kept out of the hands of minors and individuals at risk. Senate Bill 8, which passed the Senate on Thursday, would strengthen Illinois’ safe storage laws and expand protections to help keep guns out of the hands of children, at-risk individuals, and criminals.

“For far too long, we have witnessed the tragic consequences of unsecured firearms in homes,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Firearms, if left unaccounted for and unsecured, pose risks to those who shouldn’t have access to them. Firearm owners can help prevent gun-related incidents by ensuring their guns are securely stored away from others.”

Studies show that unsecured firearms, along with lost or stolen guns, are major contributors to suicides, unintentional shootings, mass shootings, and escalating crime. Nearly 54% of gun owners do not securely lock all of their firearms, and in three-fourths of school shootings, the shooter obtained the firearm from a parent or relative. Alarmingly, 82% of adolescent firearm suicides involve a gun that belonged to a family member.

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Ellman plan to protect state scattering rights passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – Establishing a safe pathway for Illinois families to scatter their loved one’s ashes, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced legislation that would create rules allowing cremated remains to be scattered in Illinois waterways.

“Illinois families going through major life adjustments after losing a loved one need support as they navigate through emotional and financial challenges,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “I have heard the concerns of families in my district whose faith requires them to scatter their loved one’s ashes in flowing water, and they are worried about the lack of transparent regulations on scattering rights.”

Currently, Illinois law allows for the scattering of cremated ashes in designated areas with permit approval from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The existing definition of “scattering areas” is limited to soil or ground cover. Ellman’s bill would allow families to scatter one individual’s cremated remains in a river in situations where a tenet of their faith is final disposition in a waterway.

Read more: Ellman plan to protect state scattering rights passes Senate

Scam Prevention Seminar

Join us on Thursday, April 24 from noon to 1:30 p.m. for our Scam Prevention Seminar. If you want to learn how to avoid scammers and understand how to detect them, experts from the Illinois Division of Banking, Division of Financial Institutions, and Naperville Police will be sharing how you can protect yourself, especially as an older adult. Our seminar will be at the 95th St. Public Library on 3015 Cedar Glade Dr. in Naperville.