CHICAGO – State Senator Lakesia Collins secured $1.1 million to help Chicago Women in Trades and the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association build pathways to good-paying jobs across Chicago.

“Creating clearer pathways and opportunities for our residents is the number one way to help them achieve success,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “With this funding, local organizations can prepare residents for long and fulfilling careers.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $19 million in grant funding through the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program to 38 organizations across the state. The purpose of the funding is to create more pathways for residents to access pre-apprenticeship programs and registered apprenticeships, which provide greater opportunities to secure lifelong careers in the construction trades. In Collins’ district, Chicago Women in Trades and the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association will each see $550,000 to support pre-apprenticeship students.

"Chicago Women in Trades is grateful to the state for investing in people as well as infrastructure, making Illinois a national leader in providing pathways for women and people of color to access high-wage careers in the construction trades," said Jayne Vellinga, executive director of Chicago Women in Trades. "While women currently make up only 5% of Illinois apprentices, our Women Build Illinois Program, supported by Illinois Works, is helping change that statistic. This investment opens doors to family-sustaining careers for women historically excluded from these opportunities. We're providing not just skills training but creating a support system that helps women enter and succeed in lifelong careers in the trades."

SPRINGFIELD – To support mothers across Illinois, State Senator Lakesia Collins is leading a measure to give people enrolled in Medicaid better access to maternal health services.

“We are enabling the continuous support for mothers to have a doula by their side and be able to rely on their services,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “With this legislation, we continue our commitments to the mothers of Illinois, and especially those on Medicaid, with better support and more resources available throughout their pregnancy.”

Under Senate Bill 2437, hospitals and birthing centers would be required to give patients enrolled in Medicaid the option to select a certified doula through the Illinois Medicaid-Certified Doula Program. Covered doula services can include counseling and support, newborn care, development of a birth plan, attendance at health care appointments, support during labor and delivery and more.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Lakesia Collins held a Senate Revenue Subject Matter Hearing Wednesday to discuss Data Centers Investment Program support for minority-owned data centers.

“By hearing from local businesses we can learn what works and what will support them for a future in Illinois,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “We want to spur growth in the data center sector and create new jobs and opportunities for resident.”

Data centers in Illinois who are awarded grants through the Data Centers Investment Program spoke during the subject matter hearing. Data center owners and operators are provided with a tax credit of 20% of wages paid for construction workers for projects located in underserved areas.

SPRINGFIELD – To assist community members and homeowners, State Senator Lakesia Collins advanced a measure Wednesday to provide guidance to law enforcement that simplifies the process for removing criminal trespassers from a person's home.

“This will clarify the law and help communities better respond to unlawful trespassing,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Without clarity for law enforcement, oftentimes this issue resorts to eviction. This legislation gives appropriate guidance to ensure they can enforce criminal laws.”

This legislation responds to local squatters who snuck into a home while the owner was away. Law enforcement told the owner that they could not remove the squatters and that the homeowner would need to file an eviction.