Illinois State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes
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New habitat at Brookfield Zoo Chicago funded thanks to Cervantes advocacy

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Category: Press Releases
Thursday, July 10, 2025 03:05 PM
  • Grant Program
  • In District
  • Brookfield Zoo

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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

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Category: Press Releases
Thursday, July 03, 2025 11:29 AM
  • Grant Program
  • In the District

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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

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Category: Press Releases
Wednesday, July 02, 2025 02:49 PM
  • Summer Book Club
  • Youth in the Community
  • In the District

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

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Category: Press Releases
Monday, June 30, 2025 01:23 PM
  • Traffic Fee Waivers
  • SB 108

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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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More Articles …

  1. More FAFSA supports for students secured thanks to Cervantes legislation
  2. Cervantes celebrates community investments, new revenue opportunities in budget; disappointed in cuts to HBIA
  3. Cervantes initiative extending deadline for standardizing electronic payments for dental care passes Senate
  4. Cervantes initiative to improve parole eligibility process for youth offenders passes Senate
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Contact Info

Springfield Office:
Stratton Building
Section F, Room K
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-9415

Chicago Office:
6729 Stanley Ave.
1st Floor, Suite A
Berwyn, IL 60402
(773) 869-9050

senator.jcervantes@gmail.com