NAPERVILLE – The College of DuPage Foundation is set to receive $53,000 to boost local tourism efforts, thanks to support from State Senator Laura Ellman.

“Funding for the arts has dwindled in recent years,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Art is a great way to attract tourists and invite them into the wonderful community of Glen Ellyn.”

The Illinois Travel and Tourism Grant Program awarded $2.9 million in funding to 51 local governments, municipalities and nonprofit agencies for the development of tourist attractions and events. Additionally, the state will be matching funds to offset marketing expenses for expenditures such as promotional materials and production costs.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure to provide classroom instruction on food and environmental allergies and allergic reactions sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.

“Most people can relate to suffering from seasonal allergies, but we also have to consider folks that suffer from food allergies,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Severe allergic reactions are life-threatening situations that can happen anywhere to both students and teachers.”

According to the CDC, one in thirteen children experience food and environmental allergies, which equates to nearly two students per classroom. Strict avoidance of the allergen is necessary, as there is no known cure for food allergies. Avoidance is not always possible, so the CDC urges education centers to develop proactive plans for responding to unprompted allergy emergencies.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman joined Jill Koski, president and CEO of the Morton Arboretum, on Wednesday to announce the planting of the 3,000^th tree that met the goal for the Arboretum’s Centennial Tree Planting Initiative.

“One of the great things about Morton Arboretum and this endeavor has been the data-driven approach,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Morton Arboretum is a gem and using trees to help mitigate severe weather and to offer means of climate resilience is both innovative and important.”

State Representatives Terra Costa Howard and Amy Grant, who helped plant the first tree as part of the Centennial Tree Planting Initiative in April 2022, also participated in the press conference, along with State Senators Suzy Glowiak Hilton and Seth Lewis. The first tree, planted on April 22, 2022, was a specially cultivated Tilia ‘Zamoyskiana’ Centennial produced from a tree in the Arboretum’s collections that was originally obtained from the Kórnik Arboretum in Poland in 1934. Since then, 51 different species of trees have been planted in 68 Illinois communities with the help of 3,710 volunteers.

“This initiative helped the Arboretum make significant progress in expanding urban and community forests as well as building partnerships with municipalities and organizations to care for the trees so they remain healthy and provide their many benefits for years to come,” Koski said in advance of Arbor Day, celebrated on April 28 this year.

Learn more about the Centennial Tree Planting Initiative here.

I was happy to join The Morton Arboretum to celebrate the completion of their Centennial Tree Planting Initiative.