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.

SPRINGFIELD – High school students may soon be required to learn about the dangers of fentanyl thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman.

“The opioid epidemic has devastated our communities, leaving behind a trail of chaos,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “The efforts to make our communities safer started with the circulation of naloxone and other lifesaving medications. Now we must expand our efforts to education.”

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, opioid overdoses in Illinois increased 33% between 2019 and 2020. The total opioid deaths in the state in 2020 was 2,944. According to the CDC, opioid use and fatalities among minors aged 14-18 increased 109% between 2020 and 2021.

House Bill 3924 seeks to combat this risk by specifically requiring all high school students enrolled in a state-required health course to learn about the dangers of fentanyl and fentanyl contamination.

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman is celebrating the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s $27 million funding opportunity for school districts exploring the use of electric school buses.

“Purchasing prices for eco-friendly vehicles have often been a sore spot for communities looking to make the transition,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Relieving this burden off of school districts enables a smooth transition to eco-friendly transportation and fosters the growth of Illinois electric transportation and infrastructure.”

The Driving a Cleaner Illinois program was created to distribute funding for various types of diesel emission reduction projects. This latest funding announcement will provide funds to replace existing diesel school buses with new all-electric school buses located and operated in three priority areas. The Illinois EPA will also fund a portion of new electric charging equipment if charging infrastructure is needed.

Through this funding opportunity, the Illinois EPA intends to fund projects in three priority areas, with DuPage County designated in priority area one.

SPRINGFIELD – Veteran- and minority-owned business may soon receive preference in the sale of transferable property thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman.

“Oftentimes, former state property can become vacant eyesores in the community,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Extending a preference to veteran-owned businesses and minority-owned businesses concerning the allocation of state property is a great way to lift up those who have previously been left behind.”

Currently, when an administrator determines that property owned by the state will be sold, they must first offer it to municipalities, counties and school districts and to charitable, not-for-profit educational and public health organizations. Ellman’s measure would add veteran-and minority-owned businesses to the list of entities that receive preferential status.

“Minority- and veteran-owned businesses are often the first line of small businesses that give back to the community. Uplifting these businesses ultimately uplifts local communities as a whole.” said Ellman. “U.S. Senator Duckworth alerted me of this issue. Veteran – and minority-owned businesses deserve the same opportunities found at the Federal level at the State level.”

Senate Bill 1935 passed the Senate Thursday and will now head to the House for further consideration.