ROSELLE– Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), Itasca Mayor Jeff Pruyn, Roselle Mayor Gayle Smolinski and the Roselle Park District will host a Community Senior Fair from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, September 13 at the Roselle Park District.

State and local programs will be on hand to give out information and answer questions.

The event is open to the public and the press.

Some services available:

Representatives from the Illinois State Treasurer’s I-Cash Program will be on hand to connect residents with unclaimed assets.

Receive information on RTA free ride and reduced fare cards, as well as other programs from the RTA.

Walgreens will be present to provide screenings and health care information.

DATE: Tuesday, September 13

TIME: 10 a.m. to Noon

LOCATION:  Roselle Park District (555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle, IL)

For more information, please visit www.SenatorTomCullerton.com or call his full-time Villa Park Office at (630) 903-6662.

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is gravely disappointed with the governor’s decision to veto legislation that would help caregivers for the developmentally disabled.

“The governor continues to stress the importance of a kind and compassionate Illinois, however, I fail to see how we are being kind or compassionate when we don’t pay direct service personnel a fair wage,” Cullerton said.  “We all know that you don’t enter into this profession for the money. However, it’s important that we allow these workers the ability to support their families.”

The initiative, House Bill 5931, would have raised the minimum wage for direct service personnel to $15 an hour. These higher wages would have allowed DSPs to stay on the job with many families instead of leaving to find work that allows them to provide for themselves.

“Any time we can pass legislation to help our developmentally disabled population, it makes us a stronger and better state,” Cullerton said.

Cullerton recently pushed legislation that would help those struggling with developmental disabilities, including adding length of time as a factor to determine need for those on the Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS).

“The DSP workforce crisis is the sad and frightening reality of the 27,000 people with developmental disabilities served in the Illinois system.  Our service system is crumbling,” said Kim Zoeller, President & CEO of the Ray Graham Association. “With the average wage of $9.35/hour, providers like Ray Graham Association struggle to recruit qualified DSPs.  The work is physically demanding, emotionally draining and includes working with challenging and sometimes destructive behaviors.”

Illinois ranks 45th out of 50 states in spending on community services for people with developmental disabilities.  The workforce crisis is so serious that a federal court monitor has found Illinois to be out of compliance with the federal Ligas Consent Decree that is in place to ensure access to appropriate services.

“It’s our duty to take care of those who provide vital services for our most vulnerable population. They should be compensated fairly,” said Cullerton. “By vetoing this legislation, the governor is working against the best interests of Illinois’ disabled population.

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton’s initiative to keep retired police dogs with their handlers was signed into law Saturday.

Cullerton (D-Villa Park) passed Senate Bill 3129, which creates the Police Dog Retirement Act.

“Our family dog Brenna is a part of our family. These police dogs become a member of the officer’s family,” Cullerton said. “The special connection formed between an officer and their dog should be honored. We should want to give retiring police dogs a loving home.”

Senate Bill 3129 requires a retiring police dog to be offered to the primary handler of the dog. If the officer doesn’t wish to keep the dog it can be offered to another officer or employee, a nonprofit organization or a no-kill animal shelter.

“We need to take advantage of this opportunity to protect the special bond formed between an officer and their police dog,” said Michele Kasten of the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners.

Cullerton believes this is not only a way to honor the service of Illinois police officers but also a cost-effective way to give police canines a safe and responsible home.

Senate Bill 3129 was signed into law Saturday.

VILLA PARK – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) will host a Silver Beat seminars on Wednesday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Bloomingdale Park District, 172 Circle Ave., to provide senior citizens with resources to prevent fraud.

“Protecting seniors is a top priority. These seminars offer them an opportunity to learn how to protect themselves from fraud,” Cullerton said.  

This is a continuation of the series of events Tom Cullerton has been hosting to make seniors aware of what resources are available to them. If you missed out on the seminars provided on August 10 we urge you to join us for this one.

The seminars are offered by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office. Her staff will provide information about protecting senior citizens and their families from financial scams and health care fraud.

For more information and to register, please visit www.SenatorTomCullerton.com or call (630) 903-6662.