SPRINGFIELD – Non-traditional students seeking vocational training will be eligible for a new scholarship program under a new law championed by State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) signed into law this month.

“Allowing more adults to enroll in a trade program, by giving them an opportunity to receive a scholarship, shows our state’s commitment to strengthen our work force and public services while allowing more people to take advantage of our higher education institutions,” Crowe said.

The legislation establishes an Adult Vocational Community College Scholarship Program, run by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. To be eligible, a student must be over the age of 30 and unemployed but actively searching for work.

The scholarship would be enough to cover the cost of tuition and fees to attend the community college without exceeding $2,000 per recipient per academic year.

Senate Bill 1167 will be effective for the 2020-2021 academic year.

SPRINGFIELD – To expand her support of education to service members, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) co-sponsored a new law to provide in-state tuition rates to all active duty military and all individuals receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“By giving the brave men and women who serve in our military an opportunity to receive a higher education, we are committing to a better quality of life for those making sacrifices for our country,” Crowe said. “I am humbled to have a hand in giving more people a chance to attend and achieve their goals.”

Senate Bill 1907 provides that if an individual is an active duty member of the United States military or is receiving veterans’ education benefits from the VA, they count as a resident of Illinois for the purpose of determining tuition. The bill was an initiative of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

The bill passed through both chambers of General Assembly with unanimous support. It is effective immediately with the 2019-2020 academic year.

ALTON – To continue their efforts to protect elders, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) and state Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) are partnering with the Attorney General’s office to connect residents with fraud prevention information.

“It’s a critical time to inform seniors on current scammer’s tricks and schemes,” Crowe said. “Everyone can benefit from learning how to protect themselves from scams and understanding new financial regulations to protect hard-earned savings.”

Crowe is also a member of a new state task force she created to study elder abuse and laws that protect seniors.

The event will be at Senior Services Plus in Alton at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave. on Wednesday, Aug. 28 starting at 10 AM.

For more information, call Crowe’s office at (618) 251-9840.

SPRINGFIELD – Public school teachers in Illinois will see higher salaries thanks to an initiative cosponsored by State Senator Rachelle Crowe signed into law today.

“We trust our teachers to not only influence our future leaders, but monitor their safety and home life while guiding them throughout the formative years of their lives,” Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) said. “Why should the people equal to such tasks want to work for us if we’re not paying them a respectable wage?”

Under House Bill 2078, the state would update the minimum mandated salary for teachers annually over four years, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. After that, subject to review by the General Assembly, it would be increased according to the Consumer Price Index. The phase-in would look like this under the proposal:

• •$32,076 for the 2020-2021 school year;
• •$34,576 for the 2021-2022 school year;
• •$37,076 for the 2022-2023 school year; and
• •$40,000 for the 2023-2024 school year;

Illinois has not updated its minimum teacher salary since 1980. Since that time, state statute has mandated that Illinois school districts pay teachers with a bachelor’s degree a minimum of only $10,000.

The measure will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.