CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in announcing $15 million in funding for the Job Training and Economic Development program, including more than $280,000 for workforce training in the 20^th Senate District.

“The JTED program offers people education and training that develops lifelong skills, leading to employment opportunities now and in the future,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “I am hopeful this investment in my district will help boost our economy and assist people who have had a hard time finding employment.”

The Job Training and Economic Development program provides workforce training and wraparound services to help bolster equitable workforce recovery for Illinoisans struggling to gain meaningful employment. Funds from this program aim to address the economic impacts experienced by employers and individuals who are underemployed, unemployed or underrepresented who have one or more barriers to employment that are identified as risk factors.

CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro announced that the Chicago Public School District will receive over $25 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“As a CPS teacher, I saw firsthand the challenges of balancing limited resources with students’ needs,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “With the evidence-based funding formula, we are investing in schools and our children’s future — ensuring every student has access to quality education and support.”

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.

CHICAGO — On Saturday, Aug. 24, State Senator Natalie Toro and State Representative Jaime Andrade are co-hosting a Community Resource Fair, designed to be a “one-stop shop” for residents looking for assistance with a variety of government agency needs and other services.

“For working Chicagoans, it can be difficult to find time to visit a government agency they need assistance from, or even research which programs are most useful for their specific needs,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “My hope for this resource fair is to take the guesswork out of reaching out to agencies for help, and create a space where people can simply show up to get the support they deserve.”

The Community Resource Fair will offer support with legal aid, affordable housing, licensure renewal, identification cards, and more essential services. Currently, other co-sponsoring partners include Concordia Place, Access Living, 211, Legal Aid Chicago, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer, Oak Street Health, and Our Lady of Mercy Parish, where the event will also be held.

CHICAGO — A lifelong resident of the 20^th District, State Senator Natalie Toro is excited to announce the Illinois Department of Transportation is investing over $57 million in road and bridge improvements in the local community.  

“Our neighborhood’s infrastructure has needed improvements over years of aging and usage,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “These investments will help modernize and repair damaged parts of our roads and bridges, making these modes of travel safer for years to come.”

The district Toro represents will see seven infrastructure projects totaling more than $57 million next year as part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois.

IDOT’s Multi-Year Plan is a $40 billion investment in construction projects over the next six fiscal years. These funds go to improvements across many modes of transportation, including roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

“The Kennedy Expressway and Milwaukee Avenue are important connectors for our community on the Northwest Side. Like many of my constituents, I rely on these roadways daily for transit, and am excited for their modernization,” said Toro.

For a full list of projects coming to the 20^th Senate District, click here.