AURORA - Thanks to advocacy from State Senator Linda Holmes, adult literacy programs in Aurora and St. Charles will receive $140,504 in grant funding to support community efforts to improve literacy.

“Libraries and their programs provide significant resources to people of all ages to boost their reading, writing and speaking skills,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “Their future education and professional goals can be brighter through participating in these programs.”

The funds, awarded by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, included more than $28 million for library services and literacy programs throughout the state. In Holmes’ district, the programs receiving funds include the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora and Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley, based in St. Charles.

A full list of awardees can be found here.

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes’ measure to modernize Illinois’ consumer electronic recycling practices was signed into law Friday.

“Our existing electronics recycling law was set to expire next year, but rather than simply extending that date, we needed fundamental improvements to ensure these devices are safely collected and recycled,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “Consumers need greater access to recycle a wider range of products more easily – without that, they’ve often resorted to throwing them in the trash.”

Illinois’ Consumer Electronics Recycling Act was first enacted in 2008 and last updated in 2017. The number, changing sizes and new components of electronic devices highlighted the need to update the law again. With consumers needing more access to recycle these devices, Holmes worked with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County to revamp CERA through House Bill 3098.

AURORA – Three years after a constituent brought a “surprise” ambulance bill to State Senator Linda Holmes’ attention, legislation to change how those charges are classified was signed into law Friday.

“Most people with health insurance understand medical tests or procedures may require pre-certification to ensure they are covered with their plan,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “But if you or a loved one is in critical condition and needs an ambulance, it wouldn’t even cross your mind that the ambulance might cost you more than any other services you receive at the hospital.”

A resident in Sen. Holmes’ district contacted her regarding a 2022 health insurance claim that didn’t make sense. The woman fell ill and required transport by ambulance to the nearest hospital. After the woman was home recovering and the bills started arriving, she was shocked when the ambulance bill was higher than the final hospital bill.

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes has announced that five school districts in Kane and DuPage counties will receive an additional $1.8 million in evidence-based funding, on top of the base funding provided by the state.

“Added funding for our public schools since we implemented the evidence-based approach is leading to improved student outcomes,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “Our local school districts are seeing progress in their students’ accomplishments that reflect the high-quality education they and their families deserve.”

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 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.