Gurnee Park District

Buffalo Grove Park District

Waukegan Park District

 Vernon Hills Park District

Mundelein Park & Recreation District

SPRINGFIELD – A measure from Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) that will make Illinois a leader in wireless technology advancements and create 100,000 new Illinois jobs was signed into law today.

“As technology continues to advance and smartphone data use continues to increase, it's important that we have the infrastructure in place to support those advancements,” Link said. “This measure will help ensure a smooth transition to 5G and allow Illinois to stay at the forefront of new wireless technology.”

Over seven years, full 5G deployment and small cell projects will:
•    Create nearly 100,000 new jobs in Illinois
•    Include $8.9 billion in network investments
•    Allow Illinoisans to contact 9-1-1 via text, and eventually video
•    Provide consumers with faster download speeds and improved call quality
•    Help attract new businesses to the state

“Illinois businesses rely on fast wireless networks to stay connected to their employees and customers,” Link said. “Updating our network technology will help bring new employers to the state.”

5G wireless technology utilizes small cell transmitters on existing utility poles in communities throughout the state, which have been overseen by a patchwork of local regulations. Senate Bill 1451 cuts the red tape and streamlines the process so consumers can gain access to the fastest technology possible.

SPRINGFIELD – Some of Lake County’s most underfunded school districts will receive a significant boost under Illinois’ new education funding formula, Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) announced today.

Schools in Waukegan and North Chicago specifically will receive close to $17 million in new state support because they are among Illinois’ least funded districts and unable to adequately educate their students.

“When we passed education funding reform last year, we recognized that each school district in our state has unique needs that should be taken into consideration when we distribute funds,” Link said. “When these funds are released, the neediest districts will get the most funding, giving every student in Illinois an equal opportunity for a quality education.”

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) issued vouchers to the Illinois Comptroller today that clear the way for schools around the state to begin receiving money under the new evidence-based model.

ISBE worked with school districts and lawmakers for months to calculate the distribution, taking into account enrollment, district-specific student learning needs, available local resources and other data.

The overhaul of education funding reform passed by the Senate last year created a tiered system in which money is prioritized for the districts furthest from the adequacy target.  

No school district in the state received less money today than it did last year.

###

Lake County News-Sun - February 2, 2018 | original article

By Jim Newton

Proposed state legislation to raise the purchasing age of tobacco to 21, a move several Lake County communities have already taken and others are studying, is sponsored by some local legislators and has the support of county health officials.

State Sen. Terry Link, D-Vernon Hills, one of the bill's sponsors, said this week that with tobacco use on the rise among teens for the first time in years, it is the perfect time to have a uniform age of 21 established for legally purchasing tobacco in Illinois. State Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield, introduced the bill in the Senate.

Link said the proposed statewide law, known as "Tobacco 21," would increase the momentum of the Smoke Free Illinois law passed more than a decade ago that banned smoking in most public places. Lake County was also a leader in supporting and implementing that law.

"Smoke Free Illinois was a major step forward in improving the health of Illinoisans and making our state a better place to live," Link said. "Tobacco 21 builds on that effort by reducing the number of teen smokers and curbing the next generation of adult smokers, moving us one step closer to a healthier, smoke-free Illinois."

Read more ...