Secretary of State Jesse White has announced more than $15 million in funding to libraries statewide through Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants.

Per Capita grants help fund library expenses such as materials, personnel, equipment, electronic access, telecommunications and technology. Equalization Aid grants help qualifying public libraries with a low library tax base ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

“Libraries are important cornerstones of a healthy community that provide valuable services for people of all walks of life,” Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago) said. “These grants will help make sure libraries remain a lifeline to my district and provide my constituents access to all sorts of information about world. A library is often the only readily available source of information needed by people and it is crucial that we provide them the necessary funds to better assist the public.”

Libraries in Jones’ district will receive almost $150,000 in funding under the grants. The following libraries are receiving funds:

For more information about the grants, visit http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/grants/plpc_equalization.html.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the governor’s budget address:

“Unfortunately, the governor’s spending plan for this year balances the budget on the backs of the poor, elderly, mentally ill and working families. He cannot continue to cut his way out of the mess he created. The governor’s attempt to solve the state’s budget deficit with cuts to critical services disproportionately affects minority communities.

To say the least, his plan slashes funding for youth employment, after school and addiction treatment programs when these programs have been established to aide our most vulnerable communities. What we should have heard from the governor was a plan to address the crisis he created within the health care system.

Instead, he proposed a four percent cut to Medicaid which is totally unacceptable when hospitals are already suffering. The governor has expressed publicly that he does not have control of this state and I refuse to stand by and watch my community suffer at the hands of Governor Rauner and his useless political agenda.”

 SPRINGFIELD – In response to the governor’s State of the State address, State Senator Emil Jones III (D- Chicago) released the following statement:

“Our health care system is in a crisis right now. It is unfortunate that the governor did not mention the hospital assessment in his address. The reality for hospitals in my district and in surrounding areas is the dire need for additional revenue. We have had hospitals turn patients away because they do not have enough resources to aid the most vulnerable. It’s simple—access to quality health care is non-negotiable. We are demanding the governor to be fair and compassionate during budget talks. It is difficult to work in good faith with a governor that continues to propose cuts to essential health care services.”

Today, State Senator Emil Jones III (D - CHICAGO) joined elected officials at Roseland Community Hospital to discuss the financial future of Roseland and safety-net hospitals around the state.

“Safety-net hospitals provide quality health care to the poorest communities, which is something that all people in Illinois deserve, regardless of their race or income,” said Jones. “These hospitals also employ an estimated 25,000 people in Illinois and 23,000 people across the Chicagoland area.”

To remain at a sustainable funding level for the year, Roseland has laid off nearly seven percent of its staff and reduced the pay of all of its doctors and nurses. As of now, all “fixed payments” to hospitals will sunset on June 30, 2018. The hospital assessment program, a combination of state and federal funds that provides financial relief across the state, is up for negotiation, creating uncertainty among safety-net hospitals.

“Ensuring safety-net hospital funding for the next fiscal year has to be a top priority in Springfield,” Jones said. “Roseland, along with many other hospitals, is suffering tremendously—they cannot stand to lose any federal dollars.”

In the past, it has taken each hospital assessment 12-15 months for federal approval. It is estimated that taxed payments account for almost 50 percent of all payments to safety-net hospitals.