Grant Writing 101

The Grant Writing 101 seminar will be on Saturday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m at Carter Temple CME Church. It will be co-hosted by Sixth Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer, the church and myself.

We encourage you to come out to learn more about the grant writing process and how to go about doing research to successfully apply for and receive grants.

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. RSVP by calling my district office at (773) 933-7715. I hope to see you there.

MLK Oratory Competition

"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.

MLK Essay Competition

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.

Improving voter access for students

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