SPRINGFIELD – Local governments have a shot at $80 million in grants to foster economic development and revitalize infrastructure in their communities, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced Tuesday.

“A healthy economy starts in our neighborhoods,” said Murphy, who chairs the Senate Committee on Local Government. “These grants will empower local governments to take on projects that will create jobs, lift up communities and make a difference for Illinois families.”

Through a competitive selection process, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will distribute funding to local governments to support projects that will help generate jobs, expand economic opportunity and encourage new development.

DCEO has allocated $50 million for public infrastructure investments, $16.5 million for regional economic development projects and $13 million to prepare sites for construction.

Potential projects include improvements to utility lines and waste disposal systems, land and building acquisition, and architectural planning and engineering design. DCEO emphasizes the importance of projects with long-term economic benefits for the region.

Altogether, DCEO has made more than $150 million available in Rebuild Illinois funding this year. Other grants offer support for broadband and opportunity zone investments.

“During the last administration, local projects went unsupported for years, and our main streets suffered. It’s time for that to change,” said Murphy. “When we invest in our communities, Illinoisans see benefits close to home, but the whole state gets a boost.”

Applications for public infrastructure grants must be submitted by June 30, but others will be accepted on a rolling basis. Available grants, project guidelines and application materials can be found here.

For additional information on these funds, prospective applicants can visit DCEO’s website here. Interested parties can send questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 217-785-6174.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois college students and their families would be eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $2,000 for tuition and fee expenses under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“For a working family, the cost of college can really add up,” said Murphy. “This tax credit is a way for us to give a little relief to the students who choose to pursue an education at one of the exceptional institutions Illinois has to offer.”

Couples making less than $250,000 and single taxpayers making less than $125,000 who claim one or more qualifying students as dependents would be eligible for the tax credit.

Qualifying students must be Illinois residents under the age of 24 who are currently enrolled at an accredited public or private university, community college, vocational school or other post-secondary educational institution located in the state of Illinois.

Murphy says this bill is part of a package of legislation aimed at fighting rising tuition costs and encouraging students to remain in the state to pursue higher education.

“We make investments in our kids from kindergarten through high school, but we watch those investments walk out the door when students choose to continue their education outside of the state,” said Murphy. “I hope this tax credit will encourage Illinois talent to stay in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 1432 was the topic of a subject matter hearing in the Senate Revenue Committee Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD – Veterans and active service members would be able to use social media to connect with their colleges’ support networks under legislation from State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), which passed the Senate Wednesday.

“Social media is quickly becoming the primary source of news on college campuses,” said Murphy. “If they posted available support services on their pages, schools could more effectively raise awareness about the resources they offer to veterans and service members.”

Currently, public colleges and universities must designate one employee to coordinate services for veteran and active military students. The employee’s contact information and a brief summary of their services must be available on the campus’ homepage and promotional mailings for student applications.

Murphy’s measure would require the information to be available on the institution’s social media accounts as well.

“College can be tough on any student’s mental health, and even tougher on those who are serving or have served in the military,” said Murphy. “It’s important that we make it easy for these students to get help if they need it.”

Senate Bill 3069 passed the Senate with bipartisan support and now heads to the House.

SPRINGFIELD – Rising tuition costs have made higher education inaccessible to many Illinois students, but State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) hopes to put college back within their reach through an expansion of a college grant program to offer assistance to eligible students at public universities in the state.

“A college degree can give someone the chance to change their lives for the better, but the cost of tuition makes that impossible for many students from working families,” said Murphy. “The University of Illinois paved the way with their Illinois Promise program, and it’s time that all Illinois students benefit from that idea.”

The legislation would expand the University of Illinois’ grant program to all public schools in the state. The expanded Illinois College Promise program would provide grant assistance for up to four years to eligible students who stay in Illinois, keep their grades up and work 10-12 hours per week.

To be eligible to receive a grant through the Illinois College Promise program, a student must:
•    be under 24 years of age;
•    have attended and graduated from an Illinois high school;
•    have been admitted as a new freshman or new transfer student;
•    have an expected family contribution of $0 as determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid;
•    have total family assets that are less than $50,000; and
•    be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours during the fall or spring semester.

The student and his or her parents or guardians must also be residents of Illinois.

“Illinois is losing lots of talented students because tuition costs are just too high,” said Murphy. “This program will make sure our world-class institutions stay cost-competitive with the schools in nearby states.”

Senate Bill 3770 was part of a subject matter hearing on college affordability in the Senate Higher Education Committee Tuesday.