July 21, 2025 • 6 mins
Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus celebrate investments in all-electric school buses, as well as the unveiling of the Children's Adversity Index to measure - and help develop appropriate responses for - childhood trauma. Learn more about those stories and more, in this edition of the The Majority Report.
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
With this week's Majority Report, part of the Sound of
the State podcast series from the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.
I'm Colby Hoff. Members of the Illinois SET Democratic Caucus
celebrated the recent announcement of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's
thirteen million dollar investment for forty six new all electric
school buses. The funding will facilitate the swap from older
diesel powered buses to brand new electric buses with the
(00:25):
charging infrastructure needed to power the new fleet. The grants
are funded through Illinois allocation of the multi billion dollar
Volkswagen Settlement and are distributed by the Illinois EPAS Driving
a Cleaner Illinois program. The grant program was developed to
distribute funding for various types of clean air and energy projects.
Illinois EPA has spent nearly one hundred eight million dollars
in VW settlement funds to date, funding one hundred twenty
(00:47):
two electric school buses and sixty five direct current fast
charging sites across the state. The program has also funded
sixty electric transit buses in the Chicago area. Senator L. G. R. Sims,
Junior owned Chicago SET in part and in clean transportation
represents a win win for our communities. We're protecting the
health of our children while moving Illinois toward a more
sustainable future. The new electric buses headed to Community Consolidated
(01:10):
Schools District one sixty eight in Sauk Village will mean
cleaner air for our students during their daily commutes and
reduced emissions in our neighborhoods. This is exactly the kind
of forward thinking investment that will benefit families in the
seventeenth District for years to come. The Driving a Cleaner
Illinois program will provide electric buses for seven school districts,
including Triad Community Unit School District Number two, Huntley Community
(01:31):
School District Number one fifty eight, Chicago Public Schools District
two ninety nine, Homewood Flossmoor Community High School District two
thirty three, Community Consolidated Schools District one sixty eight in
Sauk Village, Palatine Community Consolidated School District fifteen, and Community
Unit School District three hundred in Carpentersville. State Senator Napoleon Harris,
the third of Harvey ads having buses that run almost
(01:52):
every day. Transition to clean energy will improve the air
quality for our community and young students, but It also
sets an example to the next generation that ill is
leading the charge on protecting the environment. They will inherit
building offer success and leading a whole child trauma informed
approach to helping youth send it to Majority. Leader Kimberly A.
Lightford is celebrating the launch of the Children's Adversity Index,
(02:13):
a pivotal step in identifying and addressing systemic challenges impacting
communities statewide. Leader Lightford of Maywood set in part a
Children's Adversity Index represents exactly the kind of comprehensive, data
driven approach we need to tackle the complex challenges facing
Illinois families by mapping adversity across our communities and identifying
where resources are most needed or moving beyond treating symptoms
(02:36):
to addressing root causes. This tool will be invaluable as
we work to ensure every child in Illinois has the
support they need to thrive, regardless of their zip code.
As part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus four Pillar Agenda,
in twenty twenty one, Leader Leichford created the Whole Child
Task Force to analyze statewide data related to childhood trauma exposure.
The group outlined its report in twenty twenty two, which
(02:58):
included the need for the child Adverse to the Index,
a comprehensive data driven perspective on adverse community conditions affecting
Illinois youth. Its creation became law in twenty twenty three
and came to fruition this month. The index, which takes
into account community risk trajectories, unmet needs, and barriers to
economic progress, compares trauma exposure levels of each Illinois community
(03:18):
to others and to the state average to inform state
action to address childhood trauma. Interactive maps illustrate the distribution
of adversity across Illinois. A state wide map displays each
community's overall exposure level, while separate maps for each domain
provide a more detailed view of community specific trauma exposure. Policymakers,
service providers, and state and regional level leaders across sectors
(03:40):
will be able to use the data to take meaningful
action to expand and tailor services to meet community specific
needs and ensure financial resources, including public and private grant
dollars and programming, are prioritized for communities facing the highest
levels of trauma exposure. The index underscores the relationship between
adverse community conditions and childhood trauma. It is used to
evaluate wide data to analyze adverse incidents and environmental conditions
(04:03):
that contribute to trauma exposure. To access the live Index,
related data and further information, visit isbe dot net slash
Adversity Index. In recognition if for unwavering dedication to public
service and community advancement, State Senator Adrianne Johnson will be
honored with the naming of an amphitheater at a park
in Buffalo Grove. Senator Johnson, who represents the communities set
(04:25):
in part, I am deeply humbled by this recognition and
grateful to the Buffalo Grove Park District for this incredible honor.
This Amphitheater has been a space for gathering, art and
connection in our community, and I am thrilled it will
continue to serve residents for generations to come. The Adriann
Johnson Amphitheater naming ceremony will take place Tuesday, August fifth,
at five point thirty as part of the National Night
Out festivities hosted by the Buffalo Grove Park District. The
(04:48):
event will be held at nine fifty one mcchenery Road,
near the Spray and Play Community. Members are invited to
attend the ceremony and stay for the evening's festivities, which
include a live performance by the Pino Farina band, food
te bucks, a business expo, free giveaways, and the chance
to engage with local first responders. The ampitheater naming not
only celebrates Johnson's contributions as a legislator and advocate, but
(05:09):
also her commitment to enhancing public spaces, protecting the environment,
and promoting inclusivity and equity throughout the thirtieth District and beyond.
Other members of the news this week include State Senators
Crossiello Guzman and ron Ville Valamo Chicago, and Senator Michael
Hastings at Frankfurt, reacting to recent news of a planned
insurance rate hike by State Farm and emphasizing the need
for insurance reform in Illinois. Our futured episode this week
(05:33):
in the Sound of the State podcast series is with
State Senator Christopher Belt of Swansea as he shares his
powerful personal story as a kidney transplant recipient and efforts
that he's championed as a lawmaker to advocate for organ
donation in Illinois. For more on these stories and others,
visit Illinois Senate Democrats dot com, where you can also
(05:55):
sign up to receive our weekly Majority Report email newsletter.
Our Sound of the State podcast, featuring news updates and
in depth conversations with members of the Illinois Senate Democratic
Caucus on a variety of subjects, is available wherever you
get your audio, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iheartapp, Pandora, Spreaker,
the Odyssey app, and more. To find our podcasts, search
(06:18):
Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus on your platform of choice. From
the Springfield Office of Senate President Don Harmon, I'm Colby
Huff
With this week's Majority Report, part of the Sound of
the State podcast series from the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.
I'm Colby Hoff. Members of the Illinois SET Democratic Caucus
celebrated the recent announcement of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's
thirteen million dollar investment for forty six new all electric
school buses. The funding will facilitate the swap from older
diesel powered buses to brand new electric buses with the
(00:25):
charging infrastructure needed to power the new fleet. The grants
are funded through Illinois allocation of the multi billion dollar
Volkswagen Settlement and are distributed by the Illinois EPAS Driving
a Cleaner Illinois program. The grant program was developed to
distribute funding for various types of clean air and energy projects.
Illinois EPA has spent nearly one hundred eight million dollars
in VW settlement funds to date, funding one hundred twenty
(00:47):
two electric school buses and sixty five direct current fast
charging sites across the state. The program has also funded
sixty electric transit buses in the Chicago area. Senator L. G. R. Sims,
Junior owned Chicago SET in part and in clean transportation
represents a win win for our communities. We're protecting the
health of our children while moving Illinois toward a more
sustainable future. The new electric buses headed to Community Consolidated
(01:10):
Schools District one sixty eight in Sauk Village will mean
cleaner air for our students during their daily commutes and
reduced emissions in our neighborhoods. This is exactly the kind
of forward thinking investment that will benefit families in the
seventeenth District for years to come. The Driving a Cleaner
Illinois program will provide electric buses for seven school districts,
including Triad Community Unit School District Number two, Huntley Community
(01:31):
School District Number one fifty eight, Chicago Public Schools District
two ninety nine, Homewood Flossmoor Community High School District two
thirty three, Community Consolidated Schools District one sixty eight in
Sauk Village, Palatine Community Consolidated School District fifteen, and Community
Unit School District three hundred in Carpentersville. State Senator Napoleon Harris,
the third of Harvey ads having buses that run almost
(01:52):
every day. Transition to clean energy will improve the air
quality for our community and young students, but It also
sets an example to the next generation that ill is
leading the charge on protecting the environment. They will inherit
building offer success and leading a whole child trauma informed
approach to helping youth send it to Majority. Leader Kimberly A.
Lightford is celebrating the launch of the Children's Adversity Index,
(02:13):
a pivotal step in identifying and addressing systemic challenges impacting
communities statewide. Leader Lightford of Maywood set in part a
Children's Adversity Index represents exactly the kind of comprehensive, data
driven approach we need to tackle the complex challenges facing
Illinois families by mapping adversity across our communities and identifying
where resources are most needed or moving beyond treating symptoms
(02:36):
to addressing root causes. This tool will be invaluable as
we work to ensure every child in Illinois has the
support they need to thrive, regardless of their zip code.
As part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus four Pillar Agenda,
in twenty twenty one, Leader Leichford created the Whole Child
Task Force to analyze statewide data related to childhood trauma exposure.
The group outlined its report in twenty twenty two, which
(02:58):
included the need for the child Adverse to the Index,
a comprehensive data driven perspective on adverse community conditions affecting
Illinois youth. Its creation became law in twenty twenty three
and came to fruition this month. The index, which takes
into account community risk trajectories, unmet needs, and barriers to
economic progress, compares trauma exposure levels of each Illinois community
(03:18):
to others and to the state average to inform state
action to address childhood trauma. Interactive maps illustrate the distribution
of adversity across Illinois. A state wide map displays each
community's overall exposure level, while separate maps for each domain
provide a more detailed view of community specific trauma exposure. Policymakers,
service providers, and state and regional level leaders across sectors
(03:40):
will be able to use the data to take meaningful
action to expand and tailor services to meet community specific
needs and ensure financial resources, including public and private grant
dollars and programming, are prioritized for communities facing the highest
levels of trauma exposure. The index underscores the relationship between
adverse community conditions and childhood trauma. It is used to
evaluate wide data to analyze adverse incidents and environmental conditions
(04:03):
that contribute to trauma exposure. To access the live Index,
related data and further information, visit isbe dot net slash
Adversity Index. In recognition if for unwavering dedication to public
service and community advancement, State Senator Adrianne Johnson will be
honored with the naming of an amphitheater at a park
in Buffalo Grove. Senator Johnson, who represents the communities set
(04:25):
in part, I am deeply humbled by this recognition and
grateful to the Buffalo Grove Park District for this incredible honor.
This Amphitheater has been a space for gathering, art and
connection in our community, and I am thrilled it will
continue to serve residents for generations to come. The Adriann
Johnson Amphitheater naming ceremony will take place Tuesday, August fifth,
at five point thirty as part of the National Night
Out festivities hosted by the Buffalo Grove Park District. The
(04:48):
event will be held at nine fifty one mcchenery Road,
near the Spray and Play Community. Members are invited to
attend the ceremony and stay for the evening's festivities, which
include a live performance by the Pino Farina band, food
te bucks, a business expo, free giveaways, and the chance
to engage with local first responders. The ampitheater naming not
only celebrates Johnson's contributions as a legislator and advocate, but
(05:09):
also her commitment to enhancing public spaces, protecting the environment,
and promoting inclusivity and equity throughout the thirtieth District and beyond.
Other members of the news this week include State Senators
Crossiello Guzman and ron Ville Valamo Chicago, and Senator Michael
Hastings at Frankfurt, reacting to recent news of a planned
insurance rate hike by State Farm and emphasizing the need
for insurance reform in Illinois. Our futured episode this week
(05:33):
in the Sound of the State podcast series is with
State Senator Christopher Belt of Swansea as he shares his
powerful personal story as a kidney transplant recipient and efforts
that he's championed as a lawmaker to advocate for organ
donation in Illinois. For more on these stories and others,
visit Illinois Senate Democrats dot com, where you can also
(05:55):
sign up to receive our weekly Majority Report email newsletter.
Our Sound of the State podcast, featuring news updates and
in depth conversations with members of the Illinois Senate Democratic
Caucus on a variety of subjects, is available wherever you
get your audio, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iheartapp, Pandora, Spreaker,
the Odyssey app, and more. To find our podcasts, search
(06:18):
Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus on your platform of choice. From
the Springfield Office of Senate President Don Harmon, I'm Colby
Huff
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