ICIJA grant approvals to have quicker turnaround times under Cervantes law

• ICIJA Grant
• SB 106

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to a new law led by State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes, applicants for grants through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICIJA) will soon see faster turnarounds on their approvals.

“The current bureaucratic process around grading ICIJA grant applications puts an unnecessary burden on workers and can delay the grants being awarded,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This measure is a long overdue update that will ensure the grant application process is efficient for all parties.”

ICIJA utilizes volunteer workers to score grant applications — a rule intended to keep the process unbiased. However, this can lead to lengthy delays due to dips in volunteer work, or unreliable expertise levels in the grading process.

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Cervantes to host Back to School fair Aug. 9

• Education
• In the District
• Back to School Fair
• Early Childhood Education

CICERO – To help students and families prepare for the start of the fall semester, State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes is hosting a Back to School Fair providing essential supplies for children in the community.

“No child should feel insecure about their lack of school supplies when they walk in to the first day of school this fall, but far too often, that’s a reality,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Lacking supplies can negatively impact performance and self-esteem. I am proud that my office and other local organizations have come together to help prevent young people from experiencing this, and to be able to focus on their education, not economic status.”

Cervantes’ office is hosting their Back to School Fair on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Early Childhood Center of Cicero District 99, located at 5330 W. 35^th St. in Cicero. In partnership with La Casa Norte, Youth Crossroads, Family Focus, and El Valor, the senator’s team will be giving out backpacks, school supplies, and other resources for students and families to help get this school year off to a good start.

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New habitat at Brookfield Zoo Chicago funded thanks to Cervantes advocacy

• Grant Program
• In District
• Brookfield Zoo

CHICAGO – Surrounded by the cheers of excited guests and curious animals, State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes took part in the Thursday morning ribbon cutting of the new primate habitat at the Brookfield Zoo Chicago—funded in part thanks to a $200,000 grant he played a part in securing for the organization.

“Thanks to this new investment, hundreds of thousands of attendees will be able to learn more about gorillas, orangutans, and more primates,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “I am proud to have been a part of the efforts to secure this funding, and look forward to learning more about these creatures through this new habitat.”

Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, a total of $6.3 million was awarded to 36 grantees through the Route 66 Grant Program, Tourism Attractions Grant Program and Tourism Private Sector Grant Program.

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Over $200,000 coming to local libraries thanks to Cervantes support

• Grant Program
• In the District

CHICAGO – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes is thrilled to announce that five libraries in his district are set to receive a combined total of over $200,000 for library services and programming.

“Our libraries offer so many important resources, including access to a wide variety of books and technology that they may not be able to afford on their own,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “It is important to continue to invest in these spaces, and I am glad that several libraries in my community will receive grant funding to bolster their services.”

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