ELK GROVE VILLAGE – Seniors from across the Northwest Suburbs were connected with a host of vendors offering free services and information during Senator Laura Murphy’s Senior Resource Fair, which was held recently at Alexian Village in Elk Grove Village.

“Since taking office, I have made it a top priority to host events connecting residents with available resources and vital information relating to health issues, financial services and other important topics,” State Senator Laura Murphy (D – Des Plaines) said.

NORTHWEST SUBURBS – Representatives from the Mercer County Farm Bureau toured portions of the Northwest Suburbs recently as part of the Illinois Farm Bureau’s “Adopt-A-Legislator Program.” State Senator Laura Murphy (D – Des Plaines) hosted the group.

“In a state as large and diverse as Illinois, it is important to facilitate conversations with those from different backgrounds and different parts of the state,” Murphy said. “The recent visit by the Mercer County Farm Bureau gave the organization an insight into the strengths and challenges facing our part of the state.”

The Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-A-Legislator Program was developed in 2001 and designed to build long-term relationships between urban state legislators and farmers from across the state. The goal is to educate urban legislators on agricultural issues as well as Farm Bureau members on the needs of urban and suburban regions.

SPRINGFIELD – A plan that will increase funding for schools and guarantee they are able to open on time this fall passed the Senate today and is on its way to the governor’s desk.

“Today’s vote is vital for schools across the state, many of which were facing the prospect of not being able to open their doors on time this fall,” State Senator Laura Murphy (D – Des Plaines) said. “It is also vital for Illinois’ countless human services providers who have kept providing services for some of our most vulnerable residents while not receiving any funding from the state since this budget impasse began last summer.”

The proposal, contained in Senate Bill 2047, increases education funding for every school district statewide. Human services providers, including services for children with autism, adults with developmental disabilities and homeless youth, will receive more than $650 million under the plan. Funding for the plan comes from revenues already coming into the state.

SPRINGFIELD – School districts in the Northwest Suburbs would receive $6.5 million more in state funding over last year under a plan being considered in the Illinois Senate.

“This proposal would ensure schools across the state have the resources necessary to open their doors on time this fall,” State Senator Laura Murphy (D – Des Plaines) said. “We must give students, their parents and teachers the assurance that there will not be any disruptions in education funding due to the budget impasse.”