ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Seniors and people with a disability will soon see their vehicle registration fee significantly reduced thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Ann Gillespie.

“Vehicle registration fees can be a financial burden on seniors with fixed incomes,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “This new law will cut fees by more than half for our seniors and neighbors living with a disability.”

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ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – A measure offered by State Senator Ann Gillespie to waive school fees for students experiencing homelessness was signed into law on Friday.

“A student’s ability to pay should not determine the learning resources they have available to them,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Students of all backgrounds deserve access to the tools they need for success, and this law ensures that our most vulnerable students will have them.”

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ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Fifty businesses in the Northwest Suburbs were awarded a total of $1.9 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to advocacy and support from State Senator Ann Gillespie.

“Our small business community demonstrated remarkable resilience during the past few years, many finding creative ways to keep their doors open during the pandemic,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Local businesses are deserving of this funding to continue getting back on their feet after these unprecedented times.”

A total of $1.9 million was awarded to 50 businesses in the 27th District. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

DCEO has provided $250 million in B2B grants – thanks to strong support from Senator Gillespie – to small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on hard hit sectors, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, barbershops and salons, and disproportionately impacted areas.

Due to fiscal responsibility, Illinois saw an increase in funds available to assist small businesses. The state has seen six Illinois’ General Obligation bond rating upgrades in the last year from all three of the nation’s primary credit rating agencies. The latest two-notch upgrade comes from Fitch Ratings, as a result of the state paying down its bill backlog from over $16 billion to less than $3 billion in a course of just a few years.

Visit the DCEO website for more information on the B2B program.

State Senator Ann Gillespie hosted the first annual Great District 214 Culinary Competition Bake-Off on Friday in partnership with Township High School District 214, Harper College, Arlington Heights Memorial Library and the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce.

Students enrolled in District 214’s Culinary Arts ProStart Career Pathway program competed in teams for a culinary arts scholarship to Harper College. Teams were evaluated by a panel of judges that included Senator Gillespie and local restaurant chefs and owners that partner with District 214 on their ProStart Career Pathways program.

“Making career and technical education more visible, like District 214’s Career Pathway programs, will highlight affordable alternatives to college that are available to students and give them the hands-on experience they need for success,” Gillespie said. “Congratulations to this year’s winners, and I am excited to see them apply their baking skills at Harper College.”

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