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.

Through the Tourism Attraction Grant Program, the Brookfield Zoo Chicago received $200,000 to assist in costs associated with the new James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests habitat development, the largest addition to the Zoo in history. The habitat is projected to attract an additional 217,000 guests annually—a 12.35% increase over Fiscal Year 2025 projected attendance. This reflects the demand for impactful and educational attractions that connect families to global conservation efforts.

Cervantes is proud to represent such an important organization in Springfield, and to be able to attend the unveiling of the Zoo’s expansion.

“Living in the district, I have been a longtime guest at the zoo—either at school trips or with my own family as I got older,” said Cervantes. “We have always enjoyed getting the chance to see the animals and learn more about them from the expert staff. It is exciting to think that there is now even more for myself and guests from near and far to explore, and look forward to checking out the habitat with my loved ones.” 

“Thanks to a generous Tourism Attraction Grant and the support of Senator Cervantes, we are excited to bring our vision for a new primate habitat to life,” said Jennifer Baader, the senior vice president of government affairs at the Brookfield Zoo. “This investment allows us to provide an enriching, naturalistic environment for our primates while offering visitors an immersive experience that deepens their connection to wildlife and conservation.”

A full list of awardees can be found here.