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 CHICAGO—Fitch Ratings released a revised outlook of Illinois’ General Obligation bonds from negative to positive. State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. released the following statement:

“Fitch Ratings Agency’s change of Illinois’ financial outlook from negative to positive reflects the state’s commitment to putting our fiscal house in order, which includes prioritizing paying the state’s backlog of bills - down from over $16 billion, at the height of the Rauner budget impasse, down to a normal payment cycle and nearly $3 billion today.

“As the Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman, I am committed to taking a fiscally responsible approach to our state’s finances and putting Illinois on a path toward a brighter future.

“The new outlook from Fitch highlights several key points where the General Assembly in partnership with the Governor have worked together to tackle the challenging finances of our state.

“While I am proud of the positive reports released by the bond rating agency, because they show Illinois is on the right path, I know more must be done to provide for our most vulnerable, educate our young people, keep our communities safe, create good jobs and grow our economy, this is how we will keep our fiscal house in order and I remain committed to doing the work necessary to ensure that Illinois continues to enact responsible budgets and remains on an improved path toward fiscal stability.”

For more information, Call my district office at (773) 933-7715 or visit SenatorElgieSims.com

Whether someone you know is graduating from high school or is looking to make a career change later in life, City Colleges of Chicago offers pathways that will help them to reach their goals.  

This summer and fall, City Colleges is offering a wide range of substantial scholarships and grants to make our quality education even more affordable. Please share the following list with your network:

• Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) Grants – Chicago residents looking to advance their job prospects may be eligible to earn an industry-recognized certificate for free, helping to propel them towards an in-demand career in under a year. Learn more here.
   
• Star Scholarship – Students who graduate from a CPS, charter, or Big Shoulders Fund-Supported partner schools and earn at least a 3.0 GPA can complete their certificate or degree at CCC for free, including tuition and books. Learn more here.
   
• Summer Start – Students who graduated from CPS in fall 2020 or will graduate in spring 2021 and plan to continue their education at CCC this fall may be eligible to earn free college English credits and up to $1,000 this summer. Learn more here.
   
• ACE Scholarship – Students who graduated from CPS in 2020 and have not yet started their college journeys may be eligible to earn up to $1,500 this summer and fall, as well as a free laptop to keep. Learn more here.
   
• SEED Scholarship – Recent CPS graduates looking to become CPS teachers through the Teach Chicago Tomorrow Pathways Partnership are eligible for an up to $3,000 renewable scholarship from CCC starting this fall. Learn more here.
   
• PepsiCo Foundation Uplift Scholarship – Students who identify as Black, African American, Hispanic, or Latinx and are pursuing a career in one of five identified fields may be eligible a scholarship award from the PepsiCo Foundation worth up to the total cost of tuition and books for the semester. Learn more here.

A virtual event to raise awareness about mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic will take place Monday, April 19 at 6 p.m., hosted by State Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) and State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex).

“Many factors like isolation, job loss and fear are triggering or worsening mental health conditions for many people around the world,” said Sims. “While avoiding this infectious disease we have to remind ourselves that it’s not just the body that can suffer, but our psychological state can also be at risk. This workshop will provide tools and resources to help all of us get through this difficult time together and healthily.”

Sims and Joyce will join mental health experts George Brassea, a licensed clinical professional counselor at True Heights Treatments, and Stacey Jones, a licensed clinical professional counselor and community domestic violence programmer at Counseling Works, for the event.

Panelists will discuss how the pandemic has affected mental health, as well as warning signs of anxiety and depression. They will also offer tips and share resources to help the community improve their mental health.

“As the pandemic wears on, people are continuing to face mental health challenges,” Joyce said. “Tune in next week to learn about the resources and programs available for folks in our community who may need additional support. Now more than ever, mental health must be a priority.”

The event will take place over Zoom and will be livestreamed on both Joyce and Sims’ Facebook pages. Questions can be submitted in the comments during the event. For more information, contact Sims’ office at 773-933-7715 or Joyce’s office at 708-756-0882.