SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement following the governor’s State of the State address on Wednesday:

“I am pleased that the governor discussed the steps he would like to take to change the culture in Springfield. As co-chair of the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying reform, I too am committed to doing the work necessary to restore the trust of the people of Illinois.

"We have to hold accountable those members who engage in unethical behavior. Rooting out corruption under the dome is essential to gaining the confidence of our constituents.

"Few things are more important than the members of our community knowing that the leaders they elected are truly working in their best interests. I commend the governor on his pledge to restore faith in government, and I look forward to working with him on ethics reform in the future.”

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.

"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.