New habitat at Brookfield Zoo Chicago funded thanks to Cervantes advocacy

• Grant Program
• In District
• Brookfield Zoo

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.

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Over $200,000 coming to local libraries thanks to Cervantes support

• Grant Program
• In the District

CHICAGO – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes is thrilled to announce that five libraries in his district are set to receive a combined total of over $200,000 for library services and programming.

“Our libraries offer so many important resources, including access to a wide variety of books and technology that they may not be able to afford on their own,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “It is important to continue to invest in these spaces, and I am glad that several libraries in my community will receive grant funding to bolster their services.”

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Cervantes hosting Summer Book Club

• Summer Book Club
• Youth in the Community
• In the District

CHICAGO – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes is hosting a Summer Book Club for young people in his district to encourage them to continue their education while school is not in session, and to help instill a lifelong love of reading in the next generation.

“Reading helps young people develop curiosity and empathy for those with different experiences,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “At a time when other state governments are discouraging these actions, I am proud to be uplifting reading as a hobby for young people, and hope that this program allows students in my district to learn more about themselves and others through the power of literature this summer.”

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Resources for our immigrant community

• Immigrants
• Know Your Rights

WELCOMING CENTERS
What is a Welcoming Center?

The Illinois Welcoming Centers (IWC) are a network of 34 full-service locations across the state, offering free, comprehensive support services to all immigrants and refugees in Illinois—regardless of immigration status.

What to Expect:
• Personalized case management and support in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
• Assistance accessing benefits and services from state, federal, and local social service agencies.
• Development of Community Alliances to improve service coordination and strengthen local support networks.
• Community education workshops to empower and inform immigrant and refugee communities.

List of welcoming centers: IDHS: Illinois Welcoming Center (IWC)

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