SCHAUMBURG – For the third year in a row, Schaumburg Township District Library has been selected by the secretary of state to receive a grant through the Project Next Generation program, and State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) said the funding couldn’t come at a better time for struggling youth in the community.

“When the pandemic forced students to learn from home, many at-risk kids lost out on valuable opportunities to connect with mentors and role models,” Murphy said. “The Project Next Generation program in Schaumburg gives young people the one-on-one support they need to achieve success.”

Schaumburg Township District Library will receive $29,238 to continue administering the program. It is one of 28 public libraries statewide to receive PNG funding this year.

PNG is a mentoring program administered through Illinois public libraries. Project mentors work with middle and high school students as the participants learn how to use various technologies, achieve success through project-based learning, and gain important life skills, such as effective communication, goal setting and conflict resolution.

The Illinois State Library awards PNG grants to public libraries serving culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations. For more information, visit the secretary of state’s website.

 ELK GROVE VILLAGE – Residents will be able to learn more about the property tax appeal process and how to lower their property tax bill at an upcoming workshop co-hosted by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Michael Cabonargi will lead the workshop, which will take place Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at Elk Grove Township Hall, located at 600 Landmeier Road in Elk Grove Village.

“High property taxes are the number one issue I hear about from residents,” Murphy said. “We’re working on long-term property tax reforms in Springfield, but to provide some relief in the meantime, residents should consider appealing their property tax assessment to potentially lessen their tax burden.”

Residents are asked to bring their second installment property tax bill to the workshop, and to have their property index number on hand for reference.

Face masks will be required at the event, but an outdoor table will be set up for residents uncomfortable gathering indoors.

For more information about filing an appeal, including online appeal options and filing deadlines, residents can visit CookCountyBoardOfReview.com/Cabonargi.

SCHAUMBURG – The Village of Schaumburg will receive $1.25 million in state funding to construct a public access road and bike path connecting major businesses to the Schaumburg Metra Station, a landmark investment State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) said will create jobs and advance economic development across the region.

“This hard-won funding will help Schaumburg meet the growing need for safe, green transportation and recreation,” Murphy said. “Thanks to years of advocacy from village officials, the Schaumburg community will reap the benefits of this project for years to come.”

The project, which is expected to create over 485 jobs, will expand Schaumburg’s 90-mile network of bike paths, giving residents and tourists more ways to visit local businesses.

The Village of Schaumburg is one of just 11 communities across the state selected to receive funding through the Rebuild Illinois Regional Economic Development program, a component of the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program aimed at creating jobs, boosting investment in underserved communities and fostering lasting economic growth.

“Safe, modern infrastructure helps our community stay connected,” Murphy said. “This funding will open up new opportunities for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to support the local shops and businesses that make Schaumburg unique.”

A total of $16.5 million was awarded through the RIRED program. More information about the RIRED program and other state grant programs is available at Illinois.gov/DCEO.

DES PLAINES – During the first full legislative session since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) made it a priority to give homeowners, students, business owners and other Illinois residents the support they need to make a full recovery.

“The past year wasn’t easy on anyone,” Murphy said. “It’s important that we lend a helping hand to those in need, so we can all move forward from the pandemic together.”

Especially for residents on fixed incomes, property taxes can be a heavy financial burden—with many households still reeling from the economic impact of the pandemic, Murphy took action to give homeowners more options for relief. Her new law expands eligibility for the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral program through 2025, allowing older homeowners to stay in their homes and in the state.

Murphy also fought to improve resources for small business owners, monitoring state relief programs as head of the Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission. The commission originally sunset on Dec. 31, 2020, but in light of the continuing challenges of the pandemic, Murphy passed legislation extending the operation of the commission by two years to Jan. 1, 2023.

Through the commission, Murphy and other members of the General Assembly provided feedback to state agencies to guide recovery efforts moving forward, helping craft the more streamlined, accessible $250 million Back to Business grant program introduced in August.

“After a particularly tough year, it was important that we offer more opportunities for financial relief,” Murphy said. “Creating new programs and expanding access to current ones will allow Illinoisans to maximize their savings in a time when money could be tight.”

Murphy also took steps to reduce costs for students at Illinois colleges and universities, strengthening an existing law to crack down on retiring administrators who exploit loopholes in the law by receiving massive payouts, or “golden parachutes,” after leaving their positions, even in cases of declining university performance under their leadership.

Lawmakers passed the Government Severance Pay Act in 2018 to limit the amount paid in university severance packages, but some administrators found ways around the law—and students and families were still footing the bill. Murphy’s new law strengthens the act by expanding the definition of severance pay and defining limits on compensation to ensure schools spend with student interests in mind.

Murphy also sponsored House Bill 332 in the Senate this year, which aims to help students save money on textbooks by creating a task force charged with researching ways colleges and universities can save students money on course materials, such as by increasing digital access to required texts.

“Education is key to recovery for Illinois families and the state as a whole,” Murphy said. “Cutting down on costs at our state colleges and universities will reduce the burden on students and help them move forward with confidence.”

Murphy also sponsored laws this year to protect mobile home owners, keep pedestrians safe on state highways, safeguard students against cybersecurity threats and more. A full list of the legislation Murphy has sponsored is available on the Illinois General Assembly website at ILGA.gov.