The state of Illinois and the Federal Rail Administration have agreed to extend funding for the passenger rail project linking the Quad Cities to Chicago.
State lawmakers recently provided some relief to students eligible for Monetary Award Program, or MAP, grants, but other students are still uncertain about their college-funding plans.
By a 39-15 vote, the Illinois Senate approved a proposal Thursday that would fully fund the state's Monetary Award Program for low-income college students.
Democratic congressmen from Illinois wrote to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner Monday, urging him to take action on the higher education funding crisis in the state.
Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) students eligible for the Monetary Award Program learned they will have to pay back grant funds allocated to them for the fall semester.
Jhatayn "Jay" Travis, a community organizer who is challenging incumbent state Rep. Christian Mitchell in the 26th District Democratic primary, took jabs Monday at her opponent during a press conference with members of the Chicago Teachers Union and a few elected officials.
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (7th) joined Chicago Alds. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10th) and Brendan Reilly (42nd) at the press conference, held at the Billy Goat Tavern on Michigan Avenue, to tout their support of Travis, who made an unsuccessful bid to unseat Mitchell in 2014.
Travis' campaign is calling Mitchell a "Rauner Democrat," because the incumbent allegedly shares "elite donors and a political agenda" with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
"He receives over $200,000 from the very same interests he claims to be fighting against, and these are also the very same interests that back a governor who has held the needs of families and the services that they need hostage in this indefensible budget impasse," said Travis, former executive director of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO). "So I would say to you, it's time that we have representation in the 26th District that stands with the people and not with corporate interests."
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Commissioner Chuy Garcia announced $500,000 in new grant funding on Wednesday that will go toward restorative justice organizations
Jhatayn "Jay" Travis, a community organizer who is challenging incumbent state Rep. Christian Mitchell in the 26th District Democratic primary, took jabs Monday at her opponent during a press conference with members of the Chicago Teachers Union and a few elected officials.