SPRINGFIELD – To prevent more tragic losses of emergency responders and highway workers, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) announced legislation Tuesday that strengthens Scott’s Law and finds a way to end senseless roadway fatalities.

“As a former police officer, I know the life-threatening situations facing law enforcement every day, and I’m proud this legislation will protect and serve our brave men and women in uniform,” Munoz said. “We can’t afford to lose any more lives, so I implore all drivers to slow down and move over when you see first responders on the roads.”

This year, Troopers Christopher Lambert, Brooke Jones-Story and Gerald Ellis paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the line of duty. The law was initially passed in memory of Lieutenant Scott Gillen.

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SPRINGFIELD – Undocumented students would be eligible for state financial aid programs under a proposal that was co-sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).

“Our undocumented youth has an immense amount of untapped potential due to policies that ignore the contributions undocumented people make to our society on a daily basis,” Munoz said. “I commend all those young people who have worked tirelessly to obtain degrees in spite of rules meant to hold them back, and look forward to the outcomes of this change.”

The Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act makes undocumented and transgender students eligible to receive state financial aid at all colleges and universities in Illinois.

The RISE Act also removes a cap on the Monetary Award Program that only allows students to use up to 75 hours of MAP awards during their freshman and sophomore years of college.

House Bill 2691 will now head to the governor’s desk for approval.

Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz is hosting a Senaior Fraun Seminar on June 25 at Our Lady of Good Counsel from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

CHICAGO - Today the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Minority Economic Empowerment is posting two Notification of Funding Opportunities for a total of $15 million to provide minority-owned businesses with resources to help create jobs, build capacity, increase revenues, and expand regionally. The announcement marks the first time the program has been funded.

“My administration is committed to expanding opportunities for minority-owned businesses, especially as an important way to help underserved communities grow,” said Governor Pritzker. “This funding will help businesses overcome one of their key obstacles – access to capital – and will help businesses across the state grow.”

“A key component of our mission at DCEO is to ensure minority enterprises have an equal opportunity to grow their businesses and succeed,” said DCEO Acting Director Erin Guthrie. “We are excited about the opportunity to provide the assistance these businesses need to bolster their economic impact in communities most in need.”

$10 million in funding is open to minority-owned businesses located in underserved populations. Eligible applicants include minority- owned businesses using the federal definition of minority owned firms (at least 51% of the firm is directly and unconditionally owned by one or more members of a minority group), start-ups or established businesses requiring public infrastructure improvements. $5 million in funding is available for incubators who serve or would like to serve minority-owned businesses.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will offer informational workshops across the state for businesses and incubators seeking additional details about the grants. Sessions will be held in various neighborhoods including Pilsen, Little Village, Metro East, Southland, Decatur, Westside, West Suburbs, and Rockford. Interested applicants can also stop by one of the small business development centers located across Illinois. The application process is competitive and not all businesses or incubators will receive funding. Interested parties can go to https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/Pages/2019_OMEE_NOFO.aspx to learn more about the application process and upcoming workshops.