Toro celebrates $89 million in library grants coming to Chicago Public Schools

CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro, a former CPS teacher and advocate for well-funded school libraries, announced the Chicago Public School District has received over $89,000 to invest in resources for their libraries, including purchasing books, audiobooks, e-books and multilingual materials, as well as improving the technology and programs they offer students.

“Many CPS students don’t have access to the internet, a computer or comparable materials from their school libraries at home, including books that can be educational, make them feel more seen and understood, or provide an entertaining escape,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “I am glad this grant is affording Chicago schools more money to invest in this important resource.”

Based on a statutory formula, school districts receive $0.885 per student enrolled at each school with a qualified library.  With this calculation, the City of Chicago School District 299 was awarded $89,017.

The School District Library Grant Program supports school library services for over 1 million students enrolled in kindergarten through 12^th grade across the state. Funding for the grants, which are awarded once every fiscal year, comes from the General Reserve Fund and is appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly.

“Libraries provide many essential resources for our students to learn and grow into their full potential,” said Toro. “It is vital that we continue this investment and increase our funding to keep improving and ensuring our kids have access to robust libraries. I look forward to advocating for these important grants in the future.”

For a full list of libraries that received funding, visit the Secretary of State’s website.

• Education
• Library
• CPS

Toro to support parents with community baby shower

CHICAGO — To ensure parents of newborns and young children in the 20^th District have access to essential supplies for early childhood development, State Senator Natalie Toro is hosting a community baby shower on Jan. 28.

“Becoming a parent should be an exciting and joyful time, not a time dominated by stress and uncertainty about access to necessary early childhood products, such as diapers, baby clothes and books and toys that teach children,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This baby shower will make these important items more accessible and give our neighbors the chance to enjoy these special years.”

Toro’s community baby shower will take place Sunday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon at Concordia Place, located at 3300 N. Whipple St. Parents will be able to take home a variety of early childhood items and useful information from event co-sponsors, including Lurie Children’s Hospital, Concordia Place, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Illinois Treasurer’s office.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to speak about their parenting plans with specialists who can offer tips, such as how to prevent injuries and best practices when laying a baby to sleep. Expecting families will also be able to take home books or toys that can be essential for a child’s early intellectual development— something Senator Toro is especially passionate about.

“As a former kindergarten teacher, I know how important early childhood development is for education outcomes,” said Toro. “I am excited to be able to support parents in this exciting and change-filled time, and provide essential supplies with the help of local organizations.”

For questions about the event, residents can contact Toro’s district office at 773-278-2020.

• 20th District
• Early Childhood Development

Senator Toro to expand insurance coverage for fertility preservation services

SPRINGFIELD — Standard fertility preservation services, including storage, could soon be covered under Illinois-regulated health insurance plans, regardless of medical necessity or diagnosis of infertility, thanks to legislation introduced by State Senator Natalie Toro. 

“Fertility preservation services can be life-changing for people who want to have children, but for many different reasons, are not ready to start a family,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “I believe all Illinoisans should have access to reproductive health care, and this treatment is one more component of this important care.”

Fertility preservation is the freezing of embryos, eggs, ovarian tissue, sperm or testicular tissue for future reproduction. These treatments give people more flexibility and options when planning when to start a family. However, under current law, Illinois-regulated health insurance plans are only required provide coverage for medically necessary standard fertility preservation services, making these treatments largely inaccessible because of their high out-of-pocket costs.

To make this treatment more accessible, Senate Bill 2623 would require insurers to cover expenses for standard fertility preservation and follow-up services for any interested patient, not only those who have been diagnosed with infertility.

“Having the option to have a family later in life, especially when people with uteruses have felt like we have limited time, is life-changing,” said Toro. “I hope that my legislation allows many more Illinoisans to take advantage of this expanded coverage and plan for a family that works best with their lives.” 

Senate Bill 2623 awaits discussion in the spring legislative session.

• Reproductive Health Care

Toro advocates for crime reduction programs in new legislation

SPRINGFIELD — To incentivize law enforcement agency task forces to participate in crime reduction programs, State Senator Natalie Toro has introduced legislation that would give participants $10 million in grant funding, an increase of $8 million from previous funding levels.  

“Addressing and solving the root causes of crime is the most important strategy for long-lasting violence and crime prevention,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “Many community-led organizations have done amazing work by implementing crime reduction programs. Law enforcement also adopting these programs will only lead to more positive change.”

Since taking office, Toro has prioritized addressing violence and crime with a restorative justice framework. She hosts a roundtable on violence prevention where members of the community can voice their ideas and concerns about this issue in her district, and has met with many local organizations working to address the root causes of violence and crime. This legislation will encapsulate one of many takeaways from conversations with constituents and advocates—the importance of implementing a restorative, not punitive, approach to crime and violence in communities.

In the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, the state allocated $2 million in grants to law enforcement agency task forces who participate in crime reduction programs, or programs focused on addressing the underlying factors that lead to crime. To increase this investment, Senate Bill 2619 would offer $10 million in grant funding for participation.

“My hope is that this investment encourages law enforcement to prioritize restorative justice practices both here and in all areas of their work so that our criminal legal system continues its transformation into a system that truly prioritizes rehabilitation and justice over punishment,” said Toro.

Senate Bill 2619 awaits discussion in the spring legislative session.