NAPERVILLE – State Senators Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) and Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) are partnering with Metropolitan Family Services DuPage to hold a #LovePurse donation drive for survivors of domestic violence and other local women in need.

“For many women, a new purse full of care items is a symbol of a fresh start,” Ellman said. “By giving them what they might need, we are telling women who are struggling, ‘You matter, you are cared for, and you are worthy.’”

The #LovePurse initiative collects new purses that are filled with personal care items, toiletries, menstrual products, and notes of encouragement to distribute to women in need and survivors of domestic violence. Residents are invited to purchase a purse and fill it with dental care supplies, shampoo and conditioner, skincare items, and more, and take it to a local designated drop-off. A full list of suggested supplies can be found on the organization’s website.

“When women fall on tough times, there are numerous challenges they may need to overcome,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Offering support to our neighbors by donating purses filled with love can help build a stronger, more cohesive community.”

Purses and other donations can be dropped off at several locations from Oct. 12 to Nov. 12:

• Lisle Public Library, 777 Front Street, Lisle
• Naperville Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville
• Wheaton Public Library, 225 N Cross Street, Wheaton
• Glen Ellyn Public Library, 400 Duane Street, Glen Ellyn
• Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst
• Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E Maple Street, Hinsdale (Oct. 12 – Oct. 26)
• Senator Glowiak Hilton’s District Office, 17W715 E. Butterfield Road, Suite F, Oakbrook Terrace

More information about #LovePurse can be found on their website.

NAPERVILLE – The Naperville Heritage Society will receive $765,000 in state funding to expand the Naper Settlement Museum, a critical investment that will create jobs and advance economic development and tourism in the area, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) announced.

“Naper Settlement has been providing fun and educational experiences for over 50 years,” Ellman said. “It has attracted tourism and economic activity to our community, and I’m thrilled to know this funding will preserve such a phenomenal piece of our local history.”

The Naper Heritage Society will use the funding to construct a new visitor center and exhibition at the Naper Settlement Museum, offering new experiences and encouraging visits from tourists and locals alike.

The Naper Heritage Society is one of just 11 recipients across the state selected to receive funding through the Rebuild Illinois Regional Economic Development program, a component of the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program aimed at creating jobs, boosting investment in underserved communities and fostering lasting economic growth.

“The investment into the New Visitor Center and Exhibition at Naper Settlement Museum will not only provide a boost for tourism in Naperville but also allow for local residents of our community to come together and interact with each other, while learning about the great history of Naperville,” State Representative Janet Yang Rohr (D-Naperville) said. “The Rebuild Illinois capital grants are providing much needed funding for this project, and I couldn’t be more excited for the new developments to the Naper Settlement Museum.”

A total of $16.5 million has been awarded through the RIRED program. More information about the RIRED program and other state grant programs is available at Illinois.gov/DCEO.

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) held a town hall Wednesday evening with experts from the Illinois Environmental Council, Sierra Club and Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families to raise awareness of toxic PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam.

“Exposure to these chemicals has been proven time and time again to be dangerous to humans,” Ellman said. “Not only that, but these substances are incredibly harmful to our environment.”

Per-and polyfluoradlkyl substances, frequently called PFAS, are a large group of toxic chemicals that have the ability to repel oil and water, reduce friction, and put out fires. For these reasons, they are especially prevalent in firefighting foam.

There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to negative health effects, like cancer, reproductive issues, and liver and kidney problems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“By making residents more aware of the dangers of PFAS, we are able to minimize both human and environmental exposure to the chemicals as we work to eradicate them completely,” Ellman said.

At the town hall, Ellman discussed the threat of PFAS and what Illinois is doing to keep our water safe from contamination, including her own law to phase out the production, distribution, sale and use of PFAS.

Illinois is joining a growing group of states that are banning the use of PFAS chemicals, including Washington, Colorado, Minnesota, New Hampshire and New York.

NAPERVILLE – Families across the 21^st District will soon be able to enjoy upgrades to services at their local libraries as a result of almost $330,000 in state grants, announced State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville).

“Libraries provide so many necessary services to local families,” Ellman said. “The resources we give to our libraries, they put back into our communities tenfold.”

The $330,000 in grants received by five local libraries is part of $18.1 million in grants awarded to 638 public libraries across the state. For more than 40 years, the Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Program has helped public libraries with a low library tax base to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

Libraries will use the grants from the secretary of state’s office to help fund new services and products, such as audiobooks, adult programming, dual language materials and more.

“I am pleased to know that our libraries will be receiving the investment they deserve and that they will continue to be invaluable resources to our communities,” Ellman said.

The following libraries will receive funds:

• Naperville Public Library, $217,487
• Warrenville Public Library District, $19,987
• Wheaton Public Library, $78,018
• Winfield Public Library, $14,484

For more information on the grants, people can visit the secretary of state’s website.