Of the $110,000 investment, $75,000 will support sidewalk improvements throughout the community, while $35,000 will allow the Wood River Police Department to purchase 10 solar-powered speed limit signs.

“These are the kinds of investments that make a difference in people’s everyday lives,” said Senator Harriss. “They help our local leaders make needed improvements, strengthen public safety and get projects done without putting the full cost on Wood River taxpayers.”

Wood River Mayor Tom Stalcup said the funding will help the city continue addressing priorities important to residents.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve Wood River and make our neighborhoods safer, and these dollars will help us do that,” said Mayor Stalcup. “We appreciate Senator Harriss working to bring these resources back to our community and supporting the work we’re doing here locally.”

Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said the new speed limit signs will be used on or near school routes to provide another tool for the department as it works to address traffic safety concerns.

“Speeding is one of those concerns we hear about from residents, especially in our neighborhoods,” said Chief Wells. “These signs will give us another tool to remind drivers to slow down and help us promote safer streets throughout Wood River.”

The funding builds on another recent investment in Wood River. Earlier this summer, Senator Harriss announced state funding for the Madison County Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) building, a county project located in Wood River that supports emergency communications and public safety throughout Madison County.

“There are good things happening in Wood River, and it’s exciting to see the investment and progress taking place here,” said Senator Harriss. “I’m proud to be a partner in that work and will continue looking for opportunities to bring resources back home and support the people who are moving this community forward.”

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“Our first responders are there when we need them most, and we need to make sure they have the equipment to do their jobs safely,” said Senator Harriss. “I’m proud to bring these dollars back to Edwardsville and support the people who serve our community every day.”

Of the funding, $155,000 will go toward EMS equipment, including a power-load stretcher and Stryker powered stair chair.

“These EMS purchases will enable us to serve the community quickly and safely, while also easing the risk of injuries to our firefighter/paramedics. We are grateful for the senator’s efforts and support,” said Edwardsville Fire Chief Brendan McKee.

An additional $40,000 will help the Edwardsville Police Department purchase public safety equipment, including protective shields and other supplies.

“Having the right equipment is important for the safety of our officers and the people we serve,” said Edwardsville Police Chief Michael Fillback. “We appreciate the support and the investment in public safety here in Edwardsville.”

“We appreciate Senator Harriss working to bring these resources back to Edwardsville,” said Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy. “This funding will help us make important equipment upgrades and support the first responders our residents depend on.”

Senator Harriss said she will continue working with local leaders to bring state resources back to communities throughout the 56th Senate District.

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Job seekers will have the opportunity to meet directly with employers representing a wide range of industries, government agencies, healthcare organizations, schools, public safety departments, skilled trades, and more.

Attendees are encouraged to dress professionally and bring several copies of their resume.

Event Details

Friday, August 28
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

The Commons at SWIC
Sam Wolf Granite City Campus
4950 Maryville Road
Granite City, IL

The job fair is free and open to the public.

Participating Employers

• 1st MidAmerica Credit Union
• Alton School District
• Ameren
• American Water
• Birth to Five
• Caritas Family Solutions
• Casino Queen
• Challenge Unlimited
• Cummins
• CVS Pharmacy
• Express Employment Professionals
• Gateway Regional Medical Center
• Granite City Fire Department
• Granite City Police Department
• Granite City School District
• H&R Block
• HireLevel
• Homebuilders and Remodelers Association
• Housing Authority of East St. Louis
• Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS)
• Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
• Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC)
• Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
• Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
• Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
• Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
• Illinois Gaming Board
• Illinois State Police (ISP)
• Ingram Barge Co.
• Kraft-Heinz
• Luxury Lawn & Landscape
• Madison County Community Development
• Madison County Sheriff’s Department
• Madison County Transit
• Mike’s Inc.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• RideFinders
• Right at Home
• SEEL
• Senior Services Plus
• SIHF Healthcare
• Southern Illinois Builders Association/SICAP
• St. Louis Screw and Bolts
• Staffing Synergies
• Stearns Nursing & Rehab
• SWIC
• Top Shooters
• U.S. Army
• U.S. Marine Corps
• U.S. Steel
• Vitality
• William DeBell ARC

Whether you are looking for your first job, considering a career change, or exploring new opportunities, this event is a great chance to connect with employers who are actively looking for workers.

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House Bill 4868, sponsored by Elik in the House and Harriss in the Senate, requires nursing facilities to notify the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) within 24 hours when a reportable incident or accident results in serious physical harm or injury to a resident or requires immediate medical attention, including hospitalization. Facilities must also submit a narrative summary of the incident to IDPH within five business days.

“Protecting nursing home residents requires accountability and transparency,” said Harriss. “This new law gives IDPH the information it needs to respond when serious incidents occur and establishes clear expectations for nursing facilities. This is an important step toward making sure the health and safety of Illinois seniors remain a priority.”

Elik said the new requirements will give families more assurance that their loved ones will be taken care of.

“Families entrust nursing homes with the care of their loved ones, and they deserve to know that serious incidents will be reported quickly and appropriately,” said Elik. “I’m proud to have worked with Senator Harriss on this legislation and grateful to see it signed into law.”

LeadingAge Illinois is an association of providers serving Illinois older adults, and their group advocated for the passage of this legislation.

“LeadingAge Illinois greatly appreciates the passage of HB 4868, which provides important clarification regarding incident and accident reporting requirements for nursing homes,” said LeadingAge Illinois Executive Director Jason Speaks. “By clearly defining what information must be reported, this legislation will help providers better understand and comply with regulatory requirements while reducing confusion and unnecessary uncertainty. Clear reporting standards promote greater transparency and accountability, ultimately strengthening oversight and supporting the delivery of high-quality care to nursing home residents. We appreciate the work of Representative Elik and Senator Harriss, recognizing the importance of clear, consistent reporting requirements and their support for nursing homes working to provide safe, quality care to Illinois’ older adults.”

The new law also allows nursing facilities to notify IDPH by email, providing facilities with an additional method to comply with the 24-hour reporting requirement.

HB 4868 passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly unanimously before being sent to the Governor. The legislation is now law.

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House Bill 4867 allows additional work vehicles to use green flashing or rotating lights, along with amber and white lights. The new law will help protect workers and motorists by making active work zones easier to identify and navigate safely. The legislation was inspired by a local contractor who suggested expanding the use of green safety lights.

House Bill 4934 creates a sickle cell disease awareness license plate decal and establishes a special fund to support sickle cell disease programs. The legislation was championed by Alton residents Tammy Smith-Williams and her daughter Precious, who advocate for greater awareness and resources for those affected by the disease.

Senate Bill 3951 allows local governments to use blue paint to identify the location of fire hydrants and other water supplies, helping firefighters locate critical water sources more quickly during emergencies. The need for the legislation was brought to Sen. Harriss and Rep. Elik by local firefighters.

“The best ideas for legislation come from our constituents,” said Sen. Harriss. “We are proud to work on your behalf and help turn your ideas into laws that make a real difference in our communities.”

“These new laws are a great example of what can happen when residents bring forward ideas to solve real problems,” said Rep. Elik. “These new laws began with people right here in the Metro East. It’s been an honor to help move their ideas across the finish line.”

All three measures passed both chambers of the General Assembly unanimously and were signed into law by the Governor on Friday, July 31.

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House Bill 3392 updates the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act by improving the admission process for new residents, modernizing care standards, and strengthening accountability for facilities.

“Assisted living facilities care for some of our most vulnerable citizens, and it’s important our laws reflect today’s standards of care,” said Senator Tracy. “These updates provide greater clarity for providers, strengthen oversight, and help ensure residents receive the care they need from the moment they are admitted.”

The law requires every resident to receive a comprehensive physical, cognitive, and psychosocial assessment before admission by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It also updates qualification requirements for assisted living directors, requires dementia and Alzheimer’s assessments to be approved by qualified medical professionals with geriatric experience, recognizes current medication administration practices, and strengthens enforcement for facilities with repeated compliance violations.

“When a family makes the difficult decision to move a loved one into assisted living, they deserve to know every precaution has been taken to ensure they’re receiving the care that’s right for them,” said Senator Harriss. “This law strengthens that process by making sure residents are properly evaluated before admission while updating standards that help facilities provide safe, quality care.”

The legislation was signed into law Friday and takes effect January 1, 2027.

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Senate Bill 2770 expands Illinois’ first responder mental health coverage to include coroners, deputy coroners, medical examiners, and deputy medical examiners. The new law allows these professionals to receive mental health counseling without deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other out-of-pocket costs.

“Our coroners and medical examiners answer the call on some of the most difficult days imaginable,” said Senator Harriss. “They witness tragedy firsthand, and the emotional impact of that work cannot be ignored. This law ensures they have access to the mental health support they deserve so they can continue serving their communities.”

Madison County Coroner Nick Novacich praised the legislation and Senator Harriss’s leadership.

“Most people never see what coroners experience over the course of a career,” said Novacich. “There are calls and cases that stay with you for the rest of your life. The cumulative effects of responding to fatal accidents, suicides, homicides, and unexpected deaths can take a significant emotional toll. This legislation recognizes those realities and ensures coroners have access to the mental health support they need. I appreciate Senator Harriss for helping make this important legislation a reality.”

In addition to coroners and medical examiners, the law provides these mental health benefits to police officers, correctional officers, deputy sheriffs, firefighters, EMS personnel, public safety telecommunicators, and crisis response mental health professionals.

The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

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“Today, we honored a young man who left home to serve his country and never had the chance to come home again,” said Representative Elik. “Tommy Miller was only 19 years old when he gave his life protecting his fellow Marines. While we can never repay that sacrifice, we can make sure his name and his story are never forgotten. I hope every person who sees these signs takes a moment to remember the hometown hero who gave everything for our freedom. It was an honor to stand with the Miller family as we dedicated this highway in Tommy’s memory.”

Earlier this year, Representative Elik and Senator Harriss successfully passed House Joint Resolution 6, designating the stretch of Route 140 in honor of Corporal Tommy N. Miller.

The ceremony, held at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, brought together the Miller family, veterans organizations, and members of the community to unveil the new highway signs and reflect on Cpl. Miller’s extraordinary courage and selfless service.

“It was incredibly moving to see our community come together to honor Corporal Miller and the sacrifice he made for our country,” said Senator Harriss. “This highway will serve as a lasting reminder that freedom is never free. Tommy’s courage, selflessness, and devotion to his fellow Marines continue to inspire us, and I hope his legacy lives on for generations to come through this memorial.”

While serving as a radio operator at Fire Support Base Russell in Quang Tri Province on February 25, 1969, Cpl. Miller repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to restore communications and rescue fellow Marines trapped beneath debris during a North Vietnamese assault. As he worked to free his comrades, he was mortally wounded by an enemy grenade. His heroic actions helped repel the attack and earned him the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V,” the Purple Heart, and numerous other military honors.

Cpl. Miller is also honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., where his name is inscribed on Panel 31W, Line 53.

Representative Elik and Senator Harriss thanked the Miller family, local veterans organizations, community leaders, and everyone who attended the dedication ceremony to honor the life and legacy of Corporal Tommy N. Miller.

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House Bill 2137 requires local governments, counties, and municipalities that already maintain a public website to post information directing residents to where audit reports and financial statements can be accessed through the Illinois Comptroller’s Office.

“Taxpayers have a right to know how their local governments are managing public dollars,” said Senator Harriss. “These financial reports are already publicly available, but many people simply don’t know where to find them. This law makes government more transparent by ensuring residents have easy access to important financial information while placing only a minimal responsibility on local governments that already maintain a website.”

House Bill 4385 allows eligible veterans and military honorees to receive a second set of military specialty license plates under the same eligibility requirements as their first set.

“Our veterans have earned this recognition through their service and sacrifice,” said Representative Schmidt. “Many veterans own more than one qualifying vehicle, and this law gives them the opportunity to display the military license plates they have earned on a second vehicle. It’s a simple but meaningful way to continue honoring those who have served our country.”

Both measures received bipartisan support in the General Assembly before being signed into law Friday. House Bill 2137 takes effect January 1, 2027, and House Bill 4385 takes effect immediately.

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“When local governments spend your tax dollars, you deserve a system that’s efficient and accountable,” said Senator Harriss. “This law gives local taxing districts a modern option for filing their budgets to cut down on paperwork delays and create a clear, verified record every time a document is submitted. It’s a common-sense update that makes local government work better for the people who fund it.”

Senate Bill 2102 allows taxing districts to electronically file budgets, appropriation ordinances, and revenue estimates with county clerks. The legislation also requires county clerks to acknowledge receipt of electronically submitted documents, creating a clear record that filing requirements have been met.

The measure was developed in partnership with the Illinois Association of Park Districts and gives local taxing districts the option to file electronically while maintaining existing filing requirements.

“As a CPA, I understand the importance of keeping accurate records while finding ways to work more efficiently,” said Representative Elik. “This law accomplishes both. It gives local governments the flexibility to file electronically while ensuring county clerks acknowledge receipt of those documents. It’s a practical update that simply makes sense.”

Senate Bill 2102 does not require electronic filing but gives local taxing districts the flexibility to use it if they choose. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

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