"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

To say my heart is FULL after the finals of the MLK Oratory Competition would be an understatement!

The 13 finalists shared their vision of America in 2020 and laid out a clear road map for the changes each of us can make to be the country and world Dr. King dreamed for us.

It was a joy to visit the winners of my Martin Luther King Essay Competition at Caldwell Math & Science Academy, Schmid Elementary School and Rickover Junior High School. The essays were profound statements of what these young people feel about the world around them and would have made Dr. King and should make each of us proud.

I am so proud of each of the students who participated. Their essays were thoughtful, well-written and laid out a call to action for all of us. It was clear the students put a great deal of thought into what Dr. King would want for America today.

First place winners received a laptop computer and plaque acknowledging their achievement. Second place winners took home a tablet and medal acknowledging their achievement. Third place and honorable mention recipients each received a medal. All participants were given certificates and book bags filled with school supplies.

Just this week, a plan I sponsored to give students two hours during the school day to vote was signed into law.

During a "March to the Polls" which I attended alongside students from Thornton Fractional North High School and Thornton Fractional South High School, we got some push-back for the event, which was organized to allow them to go vote during school hours.

Some of those students joined me in Springfield last March to support legislation to give Illinois students two hours during school to vote.

Their passion helped to get it passed out of the General Assembly, and on Wednesday some of these students saw it signed into law at TF North. Together we are helping students throughout the state have more access to the polls. I couldn't be more proud to help them be the change they want to see in the world.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/simssb1970

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is now accepting applications for the competitive Small Equipment Grant program. The program allows fire departments, fire protection districts and township fire departments, as well as not-for-profit EMS providers to access up to $26,000 in grant funds for specific purposes as outlined in program documents. Applications must be postmarked no later than Feb. 29, 2020. A total of $3.5 million is available for this application cycle.
For further details: https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/sfm/Iam/FireDepartment/Grants-and-Loans/Pages/default.aspx.