NW Illinois News

Senator Andrew Chesney shared information about grants awarded in his district, saying, "Congratulations to Highland Community College for being a recipient of an Adult Literacy Program Grant from the State of Illinois!" He made this announcement in a September 27 Facebook post.

"Congratulations to Highland Community College for being a recipient of an Adult Literacy Program Grant from the State of Illinois," said S Chesney, State Senator, according to Facebook. "Literacy unlocks opportunities for adults to more fully engage in their communities and enrich their lives. When adults can read, write, do math, and use a computer, they are more likely to achieve personal goals."

In his Facebook post, Chesney shared a link to a news release on his website. According to the news release, the $81,150 grant was awarded through the Secretary of State’s Adult Literacy program. "I am always glad to see state and federal grant dollars coming back to the 45th District. This allocation will go far in providing valuable adult literacy programming for the HCC service area," Chesney said in the September 27 news release.

Screenshot of Sen. Andrew Chesney's Sept.27 Facebook post | Senator Andrew Chesney's Facebook page

The Adult Volunteer Literacy Grant Program is run through the Illinois Secretary of State. The grants allow for instruction to help adults who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at a beginning level to improve their basic reading, writing, math, or English proficiency. Volunteer tutors provide the tutoring. Public libraries and adult educational agencies are eligible for the grant, and programs must have at least 50 enrolled participants who are at least 17 years old, not enrolled in school, and function below the ninth-grade level or student performance level seven in English proficiency, according to the Secretary of State’s website on the Adult Volunteer Literacy Grant program.

According to WIFR, Highland Community College isn’t the only institution in the Rockford area to receive a grant. Sauk Valley Community College, YWCA Northwestern Illinois, and Northern Illinois Radio Information Services all received grants for literacy and library programs. These funds will help expand online catalogues and interlibrary loans, technology mentorship programs and public libraries for students, narration of local newspaper content to people with visibility challenges or other accessibility needs, veterans’ home libraries and provide reading materials, computers and internet access.

Andrew S. Chesney has represented the 45th Senate District since 2023. Prior to his election to the senate, he served the 89th House District starting in December 2018. He has served as an elected member of the Freeport City Council and has been a past board member of the Regional Access Mobilization Project (RAMP)—an organization that provides support services and advocacy for people with disabilities. He is also a former mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.