Capitol Briefs: State allocates additional $14M for grocery startups
By ALEX ABBEDUTO
& COLE LONGCOR
Capitol News Illinois
news@capitolnewsillnois.com
Grocery startups can now apply for funding allocated in last year’s $20 million Illinois Grocery Initiative aimed at preventing and eliminating food deserts in Illinois.
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which is administering the grants, is currently accepting applications in the second round of funding, which will provide a combined $14 million to grocery stores looking to open in Illinois food deserts.
The agency is also reviewing applications for the first round of programming rolled out earlier this year that could partially fund a total of $3.5 million of equipment upgrades at select stores across the state.
Using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Department of Public Health estimates that more than 3 million Illinoisans are unable to access good food because they might not have enough money, time or reliable transportation to go shopping. Research published by the National Academy of Sciences found that living in food deserts can lead to poor health outcomes.
At the launch, which was hosted in the aisles of a soon-to-be community co-op grocery store in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, local Ald. Angela Clay (46) said that as a mom, she understands how important it is to have “healthy food on the dinner table, and at breakfast time or at snack time.”
“And there are a lot of families where their reality is they are eating out of a liquor store, they are eating out of a gas station,” said Clay. “And we understand that the long-term effects that that has on a family or as a child can be detrimental.”
Gov. JB Pritzker proposed an additional $10 million in funding for the initiative in next year’s budget. A bill sponsored by Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, could expand the initiative to include farmer-owned grocery stores as well.
For more information about the grants and application process, interested parties can visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website.
Cancer Screening
Illinoisans could have increased access to genetic cancer screening if the General Assembly approves a measure that would require insurance coverage for the tests.
Currently, state law requires insurance to cover genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancers, along with annual screenings for prostate, pancreatic, colon, and skin cancers for those who have a family history of cancer or have a recommendation from their doctor.
Under Senate Bill 2697, insurance would cover prevention and susceptibility screening – including genetic testing – for all types of cancer for those with a family history, the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield, said at a news conference Tuesday. She said Illinoisans with private insurance would pay $50 or less for genetic screening, and it would be free for those on Medicaid.
“One of the things that I tell my patients is that we already know the cure for cancer, and that cure is to not get cancer in the first place,” Vivan Pan, senior genetic counselor at the University of Illinois Cancer Center said. “And cost should not be the reason why people can’t access the lifesaving care that they need.”
Pan said in her experience, roughly 10-15 percent of blood and saliva samples find mutations, which “may indicate an increased risk for disease like cancer.” With those results, Pan said, patients can work with their medical provider to develop personalized plans for screening, prevention, and management.
The proposal unanimously passed committee in last month but Morrison has filed a technical amendment before the bill gets a final vote in the Senate as early as this week.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.
Illinois News
Classifieds
Outdoor Lighting Might Not be a Problem in Monee Anymore
Spread the loveBy Karen Haave Outdoor flood light displays won’t become a nuisance to Monee residents any time soon thanks to a village ordinance approved by the board of trustees last week. The ordinance is an amendment to Title 11, Chapter 7, Section 1 of the village code for outdoor lighting. Village Attorney Lawrence Gryczewski…
High Speed Pursuit Ends in Peotone with One in Custody
Spread the lovePURSUIT OF STOLEN SUV THROUGH SEVERAL TOWNS RESULTS IN MULTIPLE COLLISIONS, ONE IN CUSTODY Kankakee County Sheriff’s issued a statement that on April 5, 2024, shortly after 2 p.m, agents from the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force located an SUV that had been reported stolen out of University Park at a residence in…
April 14 Native American Ministries Sunday
Spread the loveNative American Ministries Sunday is April 14 and will be celebrated at Grace Community United Methodist Church, 735 Main Street NW, in Bourbonnais. The authentic American Indian church service will begin at 9:45 a.m., with a “smudge” as one enters the church doors, led by the Dayspring Native American United Methodist Church from…
Peotone Police Blotter: March 29-April 3
Spread the love March 29: An accident occurred at Drecksler and Tucker Roads, with no reported injuries. The police responded to the scene and completed a report for a property damage accident. The involved parties were able to drive their vehicles away from the scene. April 1: Peotone Police responded to a call for a…
Brianna Schubbe District FFA Proficiency Winner
Spread the loveBrianna Schubbe was selected as the District FFA Proficiency Winner in Landscape Management and is a member of the Peotone FFA Chapter of the Illinois Association FFA. Illinois FFA recognizes students in 48 different areas, based on their work-based learning, also known as Supervised Agricultural Experiences or SAE. FFA members who demonstrate outstanding…
Building Committee Creates Historical Overlay District
Spread the loveBy Andrea Arens The Peotone Building Committee, consisting of Trustees Gary Hudson, Todd Sandberg, and Nick Strba, agreed to create an “Old Town Historical Overlay” District at their meeting on March 25. The purpose of creating the overlay district is to lay guidelines for a quality of appearance and to insure improvements of…
Emma Bialko Takes FFA’s State Proficiency, District Star Wins
Spread the loveA member of the Peotone FFA Chapter of the Illinois Association FFA, Emma Bialko was selected as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Equine Science Placement. Illinois FFA recognizes students in 48 different areas based on their work-based learning (SAEs). FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through record keeping, leadership,…
Beecher Community Library News
Spread the loveCall the library at 708-946-9090 for programs that require registration. Youth Services A new Earth Day flower take-and-make craft now is available. Pick up anytime! Community Paper Chain Mural: Visit the library in April to help make their paper chain mural! April 11, 12, 18, and 19, at 10 a.m., Beecher Bookworm Buddies:…
Men’s Clothing Drive to Benefit ‘We Stand for Christ Jesus Ministries’
Spread the loveMen’s clothing drive/service project to benefit Kankakee’s We Stand for Christ Jesus Ministries. Christ Community Church, in Peotone, will host a clothing drive and service project benefiting We Stand for Christ Jesus Ministries in Kankakee, a transitional life house that helps men, through the love of Christ and Scripture, to regain control of…
Federal Funding Secured to Reduce Eastern Will County Truck Congestion
Spread the loveU.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant announced the approval of $500,000 in federal appropriations for the Eastern Will County Truck Routing Project. The project, aimed at reducing congestion in Eastern Will County, is part of the Fiscal Year 2024 government appropriations packaged approved by Congress and signed by President…
Amy Pfeifer Honored as St. Patrick’s Woman of the Year
Spread the loveSt. Patrick Council of Catholic Women, in Wilton Center, announced that Amy Pfeifer has been selected as their Woman of the Year for 2024. Amy and her husband, Chris, live in Braidwood, along with her four adult children and three Labrador retrievers. She grew up in St. Patrick’s Parish and, for the past…
Be a Superhero for Families with Sick Children!
Spread the loveA Superhero 5K and two-mile walk will be held on Saturday, May 4, at 8 a.m., at Perry Farm in Bourbonnais. Cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12 years. Costumes are encouraged. Registration and race information may be found at www.runforjoy.org. Register by April 13 to guarantee a race…
KPL Hosting ‘An Evening with Rodney Freeman’
Spread the loveLibrarian, archivist, filmmaker, and former Kankakee resident Rodney Freeman will be speaking at the Kankakee Public Library on Thursday, April 11, at 6 p.m. Freeman’s documentary “Are You a Librarian: The Untold Story of Black Librarians” is set for release in early 2025. Amidst the rising challenges of book banning and censorship, Freeman’s…