Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have announced a new $10-million dollar grant program aimed at revitalizing the hard-hit tourism industry. The program is made possible by support of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Tourism and festival businesses and entities can seek grants up to $1-million dollars that can be used to establish or enhance tourism attractions or festivals planned this year or next year. To view a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) issued regarding the funds visit https://bit.lly/3fRxKgN.
Also Tuesday, Governor Pritzker signed legislation expanding access to family and medical leave for Educational Support Staff. The House Bill expands access to family and medical leave for educational support staff in school districts, public universities, and community colleges.
House Bill 12 will allow a school district, public university, or community college district employee who has been employed at least 12 months – and who has worked at least 1,000 hours in the previous 12 month period – to be eligible for family and medical leave under the same terms and conditions as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993. Previously an employee must have worked 1,250 hours during the previous year.
The change will benefit educational support personnel such as secretaries, teachers’ aides, maintenance workers, school bus drivers and cafeteria workers. Those workers are often unable to meet the past requirement of 1,250 hours due to the limited number of days they are able to work during a school year.
