Literacy programs in the 2^nd Senate District have been awarded $135,000 to grow and enhance their services, thanks to support from State Senator Omar Aquino.

“The education and literacy programs offered by Erie Neighborhood House and the Association House help Chicagoans gain the skills they need to access key employment and economic opportunities, fostering upward mobility,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “This much-needed funding will strengthen these opportunities for residents and their families.”

The latest round of funding from Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias includes nearly $22 million for library services and $6 million to support adult, family and workplace literacy programs provided by volunteer organizations, community colleges, school districts and nonprofits. Association House of Chicago and Erie Neighborhood House, located in Aquino’s district, are set to receive a combined $135,000 through the grant program.

State Senator Omar Aquino joined state leaders and EeroQ Corporation leadership to announce new investments in the company’s quantum headquarters in Chicago’s Humboldt Park community.

“I’m pleased that EeroQ will continue to grow in Humboldt Park, where their quantum facility expansion will house technology development and world-class workers that could make life-changing discoveries,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “The state of Illinois is making critical investments in the technology of the future with each quantum computing company we support with state-sponsored incentives.”

As part of the state's comprehensive incentive package, EeroQ received an EDGE for Startups tax credit, and has committed to making a $1.1 million investment, creating five new full-time jobs and retaining eight full-time jobs.

When an unfair labor practice charge is filed, workers rely on Illinois’ labor oversight boards to take timely action to protect their rights and help resolve issues related to unfair or unlawful practices.

To ensure workers do not wait in limbo to find out the future of their livelihood, State Senator Omar Aquino led a measure – signed into law Friday – to streamline the resolution process at worksites involved in these proceedings.

“The fight for workers’ rights has been a long, ongoing battle. It’s the reason we have paid time off, a work week and weekend, parental leave and safety in the workplace,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “Most employers engage with labor unions lawfully, but when bad actors find new ways to twist the law and get around these hard-fought protections, we need to take action to cement these rights with a strong foundation that can continue to be built upon.”

A plan sponsored by State Senator Omar Aquino to provide direct services and residency opportunities to international medical graduate physicians was signed into law Friday.

“The global pandemic exacerbated existing challenges for our health care industry, and right now we’re leaving talent on the table as we continue to face a shortage of providers across the nation,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “Dedicating resources to help support immigrant inclusion in the professional sector while opening pathways for licensure will go a long way toward ensuring patients can get the care they need.”

The Migration Policy Institute recently found that, by 2030, Illinois’ workforce is on track to need 14,000 additional nurses, while an estimated 12,000 immigrants in the state who have health and medical degrees remain underemployed. In particular, the report found that the majority of Illinois residents whose talents are going unutilized are women, have international degrees in nursing and are naturalized U.S. citizens or green-card holders.