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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Traffic fees to be waived for low income Chicagoans under new Cervantes law

• Traffic Fee Waivers
• SB 108

SPRINGFIELD – Lower income Chicago residents will have one more support in place to help them get back on their feet—any fines or fees from traffic violations will now be waived indefinitely, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Javier Cervantes. 

“What makes Illinois such a great place to live is that we show up for one another, and we believe in second chances,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “We do not believe someone should be forced into homelessness because they can’t afford to pay a speeding ticket. This new law extends grace to some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and I am proud to be a leader in getting it passed into law.”

The Cook County traffic fee waiver program was established in 2021 and made fees, fines and costs due to traffic violations eligible for a waiver in Cook County for people suffering financially. Thanks to this program, judges in Cook County have evaluated applications to grant fee waivers under the program over the last three years. However, the program had a sunset date for 2024, which was recently extended until 2025, but as it is currently written, would need to be renewed annually to still be operational.

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