CHICAGO – Advocating for students and funding for schools, State Senator Javier Cervantes announced seven local school districts will receive more than $4.5 million in additional funding to help schools with financial challenges in recent years.

“Our schools need our help and with the evidence-based funding formula we are ensuring educational opportunities are available for all students,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Illinois students deserve the best, and we are going to continue to make our schools a priority and ensure the funding is there for those who need it.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

Local schools set to receive funding through the formula include:

CHICAGO – State Senator Javier Cervantes is encouraging Cook County residents and businesses who have been impacted by recent flooding and tornados to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance.

“As soon as trouble started, we worked with local officials and got the ball rolling for federal disaster relief for our area,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “It’s vital in these situations to act fast and get resources to families so our communities can begin to rebuild and regain stability.”

The FEMA Disaster Assistance program offers temporary emergency housing, funding for damage-related home repairs, assistance with medical, dental, personal property, and transportation expenses, and disaster-related moving and storage expenses. The program can also make accommodations for language or disability barriers.

To apply for the FEMA Disaster Assistance program, Cook County residents and businesses can either call 800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available. Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair disaster-damaged or destroyed property. Homeowners can receive disaster loans up to $500,000 to repair or replace real estate, and up to $100,000 is available to repair or replace personal property. Applications are available at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov or by calling 800-659-2955.

CHICAGO – With strong support from State Senator Javier Cervantes, $263,824 in state literacy grants will be coming to four local educational agencies in the 1^st Senate District.

“Family and community literacy programs equip parents and their children with a foundation that supports them throughout their lives and careers,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Developing these important skills empowers people to contribute and engage fully with their families, their work and their communities.”

Adult Literacy Grant Programs are administered by the Illinois Secretary of State and are divided into three categories: Adult Volunteer Literacy, Penny Severns Family Literacy and Workplace Skills Enhancement. The programs enable educational organizations to help adults improve their reading, writing, math or use of English as a new language.

The following community organizations and schools in the 1^st District received Adult Literacy Grant awards:

• Arab American Action Network – $50,000
• Hanul Family Alliance – $48,824
• PODER Learning Center – $80,000
• Morton College – $85,000

More information about the Secretary of State’s Adult Literacy Grant Programs can be found here.

###

SPRINGFIELD – Students will soon see scholarship opportunities in Illinois’ growing technology sector thanks to a new scholarship incentive program championed by State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes.

“From the moment they start higher education, students will have a pathway to good-paying technology jobs, with employers ready to hire them when they graduate,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “The growing tech sector in Illinois needs skilled employees and the iGROW program establishes a pipeline for students to grow and live their life here in Illinois.”

Cervantes’ measure creates the iGROW Tech Scholarship program to award scholarships to public and private university students working toward qualifying tech-related degrees such as computer and information sciences, information technology, computer systems networking and telecommunications. Recipients would receive the scholarship award each year they agree to work in a qualified job that relates to their degree.